Level -6

Description
Level -6 is a beachfront accompanied by a ceaseless saline ocean surrounded by a dark foggy sky, in which danger can be seen, yet not heard. A major feeling of unwelcomeness permeates the coast. The most important thing to note before memorizing the landscape is the hearing deficiency caused by this level. Within 2-5 minutes of entering Level -6, any wanderers’ sense of hearing will have degenerated. The exact cause of this is debated as of the last update to this archive. During the time in which hearing degenerates, wanderers will feel as if there is pressure being applied to their head or ears. Migraines are also common. Many theories as to the cause of the deafness of this level are tied to these details. Others simply state that soundwaves cannot travel in Level -6 sufficiently. Whatever the cause is, the loss of hearing has made vision integral to this level.

Upon exiting this level in any way, the sense of hearing that was lost will regenerate over a couple hours. Air will rush into the ears as if they had been blocked by something whilst within the level.

The ocean in this level seems to expand infinitely away from the coast. Travelling any distance away will result in wanderers having to travel the same distance to return to the coast. No major change in depth or environment has been reported farther out from the coast. The ocean consists of normal water, but is greatly saliferous and non-potable. The salt content is high to the point of preventing non-anomalous life in the ocean. No life at all has been reported in the ocean, although many still believe that life could be found if more searching is made farther from the coast.

Although hard to explore, the attributes of the endless waters of the level have been documented. From the sandy coast, the ocean floor will become more rocky, jagged, and dangerous after about 100m of a continuous sandy slope. From that distance further away from the coast, the ocean floor consists of many trenches, spikes, and jagged slopes. The depth greatly fluctuates from 9-12 meters at the shallowest to over 200 meters at the deepest. Some located trenches have been seen to go much deeper. The current record depth documented is 396 meters below the surface. This has been hard to document due to the high salt content, which causes much larger and heavier objects to float on the surface. Further inland, the sand will eventually give way to a field of tall grass and silty/sandy dirt. This layer of land only lasts for about 20 kilometers before ending in a wall of gray fog. This fog eventually becomes impossible to see through after travelling through it a short distance, and acts as one-way transport to Level -7. The sky of Level -6 is always the same unchanging foggy black, as there is no day cycle. Light still radiates from the sky, but there is no exact point in the sky that can be pointed out as “the light source.”

The information about hearing is not the only information integral to your immediate survival. Many parts of the landscape, such as the sand, grass, and dirt are sentient and aware. More details about the capabilities of the landscape will be further into the article. Sudden, extreme movement on the sand may elicit a response from the ground below, causing it to shift around you, creating dangerous pitfalls beneath your feet. This can even happen randomly, although this is rare. Move swiftly, but steadily. The sandy/silty dirt in the level may also attempt to bring you down into the ground, as it can act like quicksand in the right conditions. Trampling large amounts of tall grass may also elicit grass to wrap around your ankles, although this is not hard to break free from.

When the sand is disturbed, it can reveal items which were presumably buried. This includes sharp metal scrap, glass shards, and other small sharp objects. Also strewn along the shore are random kids’ toys, such as plastic shovels, pails, and deflated beach balls/floaties. Stepping on sharp objects is a major risk, make sure to watch your step. These objects can also be found further inland.

The level appears to have a moderate amount of entities. Entities that do exist in this level are not immune to the effects of this level. Entities with a high enough intelligence/sense of hearing normally tend to show that they are distressed if they have the ability. A prime example of this is Cheshires. The effects of the level still do not negate the aggression of entities, so still be cautious as if you are in any other level. Do note that they have the inability to hear wanderers, this can be of great advantage to you.

Colonies and Outposts
There are only two confirmed colonies in Level -6.

The Embankment
This group is a splinter group of New Alkaulle that still maintains good relations. This settlement is mostly located close to the coast. The group is made up of mostly researchers, studying the sentient landscape that should be theoretically impossible to exist. The Embankment relies on resources from other settlements, and uses the same flag communication system.

Over the time The Embankment has been in operation, they have nearly fallen numerous times to accidental or purposeful agitation of the sand which would sink parts of the settlement below the sand, never to return. Although this group is much less significant currently, their research towards the sentient landscape have proven to be useful.

New Alkaulle
New Alkaulle is a MEG-aligned permanent settlement anchored about 200 meters off the coast. The population fluctuates greatly, as wanderers of all types are safe to stop here. A large community resides in New Alkaulle, as a floating city negates basically all dangers of the level, despite low resources. Even then, a steady flow of food and equipment arrives here from Reed’s Hold and other sources, such as Levels 17-20. At least 30 people are within New Alkaulle most of the time. Moving the soil to plots near the coast to further utilize agriculture have also been looked into to reliably sustain higher populations.

Old Alkaulle [ABANDONED]
The precursor to Alkaulle was a large village near the wall of fog. This group documented important information about the level, although much of it was lost as the settlement disbanded after some time. The settlement for its size could not sustain itself, and solely communicating through writing stopped being feasible due to the waste of resources. Every member of the settlement ended up going separate ways. After a few years, the idea for a floating village was finally realized. Even now, Old Alkaulle is an important landmark to note for orientation purposes.

Entrances
This is the only way of entry. After being enveloped in an area of fog in Level -5 too thick to perceive anything visually, you will find yourself in a barely-conscious state. When you regain your senses, you will end up in Level -6.

Exits
No-clipping through the sand will send you to Level -7, although sometimes you can also go back to Level -5. Diving deep into the ocean may have a chance that you will be sent to Level 7.2. It is said that finding a rusty pillar and licking it will send you to Level 2.