Accessing File… «Notice, July 1994.» Error, File Corrupted.

Open Anyways?

Description

Level 678, also known as the Necropolis, is stated by Our Lady of Confession to be a similar standalone fragment of Level 600. Reports, imagery, and video from the level reveal that it is an approximately 600-acre field of hills, and trees marked with haphazardly placed, crumbling and derelict graves. The entire level is bordered by a chain-link metal fence approximately 2-3 meters in height, including one gate leading into the skybox void around Level 678. The only other structure within the necropolis is a singular rundown church located next to the “main gates” of the level.

The church near the entrance resembles one built in the mid-20th century, though it is unknown where the building’s architecture originates from. The interior lacks any functional lighting and most surfaces are covered in a fine layer of dust and cobwebs. Notable features within this structures include an altar with a lectern, pews, and multiple stained glass windows. These windows seem to be the only way natural light enters the building, since the many hanging electric chandeliers along the recesses of the ceiling refuse to function. This is constant due to the permanent sunset that the level’s skybox tends to project.

A general view of Level 678 before "shutdown" occurs.

On first glance, graves on Level 678 all appear to have been placed at different times, as the quality of the graves vary wildly. However, Our Lady of Confession has gone on to reveal to M.E.O.D. members that most graves were dug and placed within the same 2 years. Due to this, recommendations were made to speak with ex-residents of Level 600 regarding the graves, of which most people could recognize the names of certain people listed on them.

The stylization and types of graves within the level vary, though there is a notable absence of mausoleums or anything grand. Most graves take the form of bevel markers, tombstones, obelisks, or larger monument plots with multiple ledgers for families. However, there is a notable presence of smaller, obelisk-style markers in the back half of Level 678. These are rarely ever inscribed with names, but are said by old residents of Level 600 to be the improvised graves of soldiers.

Recovered files and information from archives and firsthand residents of Level 600 have identified Level 678 as The St. Julius Cemetery. However, there are many theories which might explain why it still exists. One of the presumed source of the necropolis’ continued existence is the “Administrative Sentinel Construct” of the fragment known as “Natalie” or “Our Daughter of Decay” by others.

Administrative Sentinel Construct "Natalie" during visit by Dr. R. to Level 678.

Administrative Sentinel Construct “Natalie”

Information on A.S.C. Natalie is scant, though M.E.O.D. researchers have pieced together that Natalie once resided within Level 600. More undisclosed research has linked both entities to a network of many other “A.S.C.s” who existed to oversee, direct, and assist facets of life.

In the case of Natalie, those who visited St. Julius before it became Level 678 say that she was often placed at a small crossroads towards the entrance of the cemetery. From there, she would function as a normal Sentinel Construct would in daily life. These functions included giving directions to appropriate graves, providing information on graves, and consoling grieving visitors.

Most of what can be inferred from Natalie is only known from her current form, and what people from Level 600 know of them. As she exists currently, Natalie will appear in entirely arbitrary locations within Level 678. No single reported encounter with A.S.C. Natalie has displayed her being in the same locale as she was prior, implying that they exist in some sort of unstable state.

Unlike her positioning within the level, Natalie appears as the same crumbling statue of a girl missing an arm and head. It is possible to initiate communication with them, though it is rare to get a response. Out of the five written reports on Level 678, only one managed to have a brief conversation with the A.S.C. before they initiated what is known as a “Shutdown” event. A transcript of this instance can be read below.

Shutdown

An event will almost always occur on Level 678 known as a “Shutdown”. This occurrence is theorized to be a byproduct of a few things. One is the possible integral piece of Level 600 failing to properly cull from being rendered with Level 600’s destruction. As of this date, the only recorded instance of a Shutdown refusing to occur is partly detailed in a report by Recon Team Member Elan.

Shutdowns are characterized by the alteration of Level 678’s skybox. This will take on a scrolling, wavy texture of warped static. A shrill, ear-piercing shepard tone often accompanies this. These effects evoke several instances of physical illness, with symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and strained vision being commonplace.

As it goes on, the Shutdown will gradually plunge the level into whirling static, taking around 1 to 2 minutes to entirely engulf the level in a static void. At this point, whoever is caught within a Shutdown will feel as though they were falling or spinning downwards into the abyss around the level, in which case they will reach Enigmatic Level “End of the Fucking World”.

Within this collapsing state, the only visible object within the static will be the statue form of Our Daughter of Decay, seemingly floating in place at the proper distance they were when the wanderer first arrived. Whilst falling, Our Daughter of Decay will stay stationary and idle where she was. Everything else–graves, terrain, fences, and the church–will cease to appear in the level.

One possible reason for both 214 and 678’s existence is that the A.S.C.s of both levels managed to keep the general terrain and structure of their fragment loaded and kept in reality. Nonetheless, the difference with Level 678 is the instability of its overseer. Because of this, the locale is prone to collapsing in a shutdown.

Outposts

Similar to Level 214, no more than one wanderer can be within Level 678 at once. Because of this, no outposts or bases are present.

Entrances And Exits

There are only a few ways to access Level 678, but we know of the following:

• Attempting to leave 214’s gates.
• Entering and leaving a church in Blue Channel.
• Finding a random gate in the dunes of Road to Ruins.

Some of the few ways to leave Level 678 include:

• Going through the Shutdown event to be taken to End of the Fucking World.
• Entering or exiting the church, which has a small chance of taking wanderers to Level 105.
• Leaving the main gates to Level 165.