Level 710 : "Ring and Ruins"

Description

This level consists of a silvery Ring that floats horizontally high in the sky above mysterious ruins. It never changes altitude or position and is estimated to be over four hundred feet in diameter and about a quarter mile in circumference. No propulsive power system is seen or heard. How this Ring stays aloft is a puzzle.

The aerial anomaly selects, and interacts with, one visitor at a time. The M.E.G. has interviewed a number of individuals who claim to have spent time in the Ring. They are no-clipped aboard from anywhere in the Backrooms without warning. The duration of the visit is at the discretion of the anomaly, and it can range from three to twenty days. Visitors are always returned to a safe and stable location.

We have been most fortunate that Amy Cochrane, Security Technician for M.E.G. Team "Harbinger," found herself unexpectedly no-clipped into the Ring. Amy spent a full twenty days gathering intelligence.

The Ring has no doors, but there are four windows facing the inside of the circle, like the points of a compass. Alongside each window is a unique amenity built into the wall of the structure. The North area features a writing desk/chair combination with paper, pencils, and the Guestbook. The East offers water and food. To the South is a toilet and a bed. Finally, the West area has a box-like receptacle where visitors are compelled to sacrifice a personal object. The circular hallway instantly replicates various levels of the Backrooms and transforms at the whim of this invisible nonhuman intelligence. It takes about five to seven minutes to walk the circuit, when circumstances permit.

Wanderers explain that they are motivated to certain actions by persuasive gut feelings or intuition and that the interior of the vessel reacts positively or negatively. This "communication" is without language and is completely instinctive. The Ring seems to be an elaborate examination, observation, and evaluation of the human species by an intelligence yet to be identified. There has been some speculation that we are dealing with Artificial Intelligence or AI. Others point to a surplus of empathy and emotion on the part of this entity.

Entities can appear out of nowhere. These are not hallucinations or holograms. Rather, each entity is real and actually there. It is under the complete control of the Ring and poses absolutely no threat to the visitor.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Anne Dunne, Investigative Scholar of the Paranormal and Consultant to the Major Explorer Group, will helm a priority research effort into the Harbinger Arch and its standing stones, in addition to her duties with M.E.G. Team "Looking Glass" on Level 365.

Reporting directly to M.E.G. Team "Harbinger," Dunne will examine the legend and lore of these mysterious ruins, interview pilgrims to the site, and seek the significance of the Ring that oversees the level.

At no time will this research interfere with pilgrimage to this sacred space and sanctuary.

Marvin Matthews
M.E.G. Team "Harbinger"

Down at ground level, directly below the Ring, there is a circle totally devoid of vegetation that measures 420 feet in diameter and 1,320 feet in circumference. Rock cairns mark its perimeter, and the Harbinger Arch and its standing stones keep solitary watch within the barren, ancient site. There are no clues to its age or origin.

Many wanderers make the pilgrimage to Harbinger Arch for spiritual and special reasons. It is believed that other realms, maybe even the Frontrooms, can be sighted within the arch under exceptional conditions. It is also rumored that a few wanderers have allegedly stepped through Harbinger Arch without emerging from the other side. No official evidence exists to support or confirm either of these phenomena.

The entire level is subject to a day and night cycle quite comparable to the Frontrooms. The area is also famous for its freshwater springs and streams, making it one of the ultrarare sources of freshwater in the Backrooms.

Bases, Outposts and Communities

There are no bases, outposts or communities within the aerial anomaly. The M.E.G. operates a ground station below the Ring to protect the ancient ruins from vandalism and souvenir seekers. Station Chief Marvin Matthews commands a team of nine.

Ring North: Sign Our Guestbook

Before the wanderer exits the Ring, a Guestbook attracts them to the writing table under the North window. The wanderer is strongly compelled to comment on their visit in the Guestbook. I took the opportunity to examine this Guestbook and copy some of the comments:

"I was inches from death, and you brought me here, just in time. You saved my life, and I am very grateful. My only complaint is when I was sitting on the toilet and that monster came rushing toward me out of nowhere. Good thing that I was on the toilet! Biological creatures react biologically."

"You never spoke one word! And yet, being here with you was the best part of my life. I was a mess in the Frontrooms. No job. Divorce. Then I hit the Backrooms, and things got depressing. Until we found my worth. Thank you. It would be an honor to visit you again."

"Not knowing what you are does not change my feelings. I LOVE YOU! There is no need to see you. Being here with you, I am safe and cared for. You only test me to know me. Take my secrets! Please dance inside my soul again. Keep me here forever! "

"Du kannst mich nicht zwingen, etwas zu schreiben! Du kannst mich nicht zwingen, etwas zu schreiben! Nein! Nein! Fahr zur Hölle."
Translation: You can't force me to write anything! You can't force me to write anything! No! No! Go to Hell.

Amy Cochrane
M.E.G. Team "Harbinger"

Ring East: Help Yourself

There is a hidden door beneath the East window that blends into the wall. Four foot high and three foot wide, a wanderer could easily overlook it, were it not for the "HELP YOURSELF" message. There are no handles, but the door opens at a touch to reveal a three-shelf, hot and cold, food storage area. The top shelf holds hot foods, the middle is a room temperature pantry, and the bottom shelf is refrigerated for fresh spring water and chilled foods. Upon closing the door, the unit becomes fully stocked.

Depending on the actions and reactions of the visitor, the choices of food and beverages can range from average to gourmet. I was treated one evening to my mother's deep-fried chicken livers with gravy and my grandma's warm peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. We both had a wonderful time. I say "we" because the Ring is sentient. Although, referring to the Ring as simply sentient doesn't quite describe the relationship. The entity feels empathy, and its connection with humans is intimate and deep.

Choosing well triggers positive emotions and euphoria. Punishments for poor choices are mild and inconsequential.

Amy Cochrane
M.E.G. Team "Harbinger"

Ring South: Sweet Dreams, Etc.

The area of the South window has a comfortable bed built into the wall and a toilet. I flush the toilet, and it works! I am not ashamed to admit that I did a little dance.

A thought enters my mind, and a shower stall materializes out of nowhere. Warm water is magically coming from and going to… somewhere. A bar of scented soap and fluffy towel appear in my hands. Let's just say that I jump out of my clothes and indulge. The stall disappears when I finally emerge, all pink and sassy.

The bed is more of a sleeping nook carved into the wall. It is perfect in every way. I feel like Goldilocks in Baby Bear's bed and fall asleep immediately.

Forgive my subjective notations. I truly miss the Ring.

Amy Cochrane
M.E.G. Team "Harbinger"

Ring West: Offerings

It looks like an aluminum, rectangular chest built into the wall below the West window. Raising the lid initiates the sacrificial ritual, the "Offering." The container is filled with all sorts of treasures: knives and short swords; ornate canteens; firesalt; gold and silver jewelry; flasks containing mysterious reagents; so many wonders.

You are compelled to donate your best and finest item to the collection. It knows what it wants. You know what it wants. I pull out my iconic Victorinox "Swiss Army" pocket knife and add it without hesitation.

Nothing happens. No reaction.

I reach in the box to take my prize back and fight the impulse. What is wrong with me? I grab the knife again and drop it back, as if I am possessed. Is my gift not worthy? An inner peace settles over me, and I reclaim my "sacrifice." As I remove the knife, an identical one appears in its place. Warmth and unconditional love flow through me. We are as one for a moment. It is so hard to describe. I close the lid.

Amy Cochrane
M.E.G. Team "Harbinger"

Entrances and Exits

Entrances

You enter the Ring by no-clipping at the discretion of the intelligence.

You may follow the Pilgrims Path to enter this level. Scattered everywhere across the Backrooms are carvings in wood or stone depicting the Arch and the Ring. Touching one of these icons with your right hand no-clips you closer to this level. The number and ease of the steps in your path depend upon your necessity, karma, and health.

Update: Climb down a long rope ladder on Level 234 and drop to this level. You should be able to see the community at Harbinger Lake in the distance. The ladder will disappear when you let go.

Exits

You exit the Ring by no-clipping at the discretion of the intelligence.

You may follow the Pilgrims Path to exit the level. Touching a carving with your left hand no-clips you to the next scene, another level away.

Update: No-clipping into a puddle on this level may take you to Level 422.

(M.E.G. Security Technician Alberto Sanchez flags down M.E.G. Station Chief Marvin Matthews as the "old man" heads for the latrine.)

Sanchez: Sir! We have a visitor. (Looks around, surprised and a little confused.) We had a visitor. (He completes a three-sixty visual sweep and comes up empty.) Where did….he….go?

Matthews: Where did who go? Where is this visitor? Is that a newspaper? Alberto, what is going on here? Talk to me.

(Sanchez hands his superior officer the folded newspaper.)

Sanchez: He says that we are to give this to Anne Dunne.

(Station Chief Matthews unfolds the newspaper. There is an article circled in red. It reads Dunne Missing, Presumed Dead. There is little doubt that this recent Frontrooms article is an obituary disguised as journalism. Matthews folds the newspaper.)

Matthews: Who said? Alberto, what did our visitor look like?

Sanchez: He was quite tall. Thin. Pale, like a cadaver… Medium height and build… Dark complexion. (The Security Tech starts to tremble and sob.) He wore a black suit and fedora. Eyes like yellow fire! (Sanchez begins pulling on his ears and tearing at his dark hair.) I can't see him! No puedo recordar… Se ha ido… El no esta en ninguna parte.

Matthews: English! English!

(Another Security Technician, Amy Cochrane, stops to gauge the commotion. Matthews signals for her assistance. She runs to their side.)

Cochrane: Albert? Chief Matthews? How can I help?

Matthews: Sanchez is enchanted. You must escort him to M.E.G. Base Alpha immediately for treatment.

Cochrane: Enchanted? Base Alpha?

Matthews: There is no time. (The Security Chief retrieves a pocket notebook and hurriedly scribbles letters, numbers, and names. He rips off the page and hands it to Cochrane.) Use the authorization code there. One of those names should get you an appointment with an Overseer. They must be warned.

Cochrane: I don't understand. Why would an Overseer agree to see me? Anne Dunne is coming here to investigate the Ring and ruins. I am scheduled to be her escort.

Matthews: That is all changed now. Inform M.E.G. that we have an M-i-B in the Backrooms.

(Those words mean nothing to Cochrane. It shows.)

Matthews: M-i-B. Men in Black. They control the hidden knowledge about paranormal phenomena in the Frontrooms.

Cochrane: What is their connection to us? Why here? Why now?

Matthews: The M-i-B are not indigenous to these Backrooms. They are not "men," not human. We don't even know what they call themselves. They are extra-dimensional beings and walk between worlds. We very rarely see them; when we do, people die. Anne Dunne is probably the target.

(Matthews hands Cochrane the newspaper article. She reads it, all the while remembering that her Station Chief used to be a real player with the M.E.G. hierarchy back in the day. His knowledge, experience, and position translated into this present-day cake assignment: babysitting the Harbinger Arch and ruins.)

Cochrane: How serious is this enchantment thing?

(Alberto Sanchez is drooling and kissing his fingers.)

Matthews: Too early to tell. The M.E.G. has dealt with it before. Dunne probably knows more about negative energies and the Men in Black than anybody else in the Frontrooms. Rumor has it that an M-i-B is the reason that she is here.

Cochrane: Maybe Dunne can help save Alberto.

Update: This leads to events surrounding the Great Catastrophe of Level 710