Level 1 is a massive warehouse with concrete floors and walls, exposed rebar, dim fluorescent lights placed on the walls. There is a low-hanging fog with no discernible source, which condensates and gathers in puddles on the floor. It is known as the Habitable Zone because of the low entity count, and because wooden crates randomly spawn, containing food, bottles of almond water, and other supplies such as batteries, tarps, weaponry, clothing, medical supplies, assorted car parts, crayons, paper, even live mice! All this makes survival possible on Level 1.
Level 1 is known to be home to several colonies and human outposts, including:
- The Raiders, a small dissident group, friendly to travelers and willing to trade.
- Almond Town, named after the primary source of sustenance, almond water, Almond Town is the Level 1 home of the Backroom Colonists. The Backroom Colonists are a massive colony with bases on many levels, including their capital base, New Cali, on Level 4.
- Base Flickers, secondary outpost of the Backroom Colonists, (known for the flickering lights). Mostly used as a stop off point, Base Flickers has public WiFi.
- Republic of Level 153, outpost of the Republic of Level 153 with around 40 heavily armed members who will take in and protect survivors.
- The Biologists, a large outpost who study the entities of The Backrooms to collect and analyze DNA samples. They are friendly and open to trade.
- The Orderly Republic, the largest outpost in Level 1, mainly young adults, quite friendly, always open to trade.
- Guide Outpost 03, the second largest outpost in Level 1, and second outpost of The Tourism Guide, a heavily armed group, normally open for trading except for during search and rescues missions. Will offer refuge and protection to travelers in exchange for small amounts of supplies.
- Sanction, claimed to have to be a cult, their small base hidden behind a false wall near the Exit of Level 1 was devastated by entities unknown, and is thought to have been wiped out. However, travelers still claim to hear them within the walls, with some even seeing them and talking to their residents.
- Oasis Lyra of The OFSEB, population of around 130. Not open to trade, but well supplied, and willing to supply and recruits wanderers passing through.
Please note, although there are several large colonies and many wanderers on Level 1, the huge expanse, (millions of miles), means that the chances of actually meeting up with other humans is still very slim.
Level 1 also serves as the entrance to The Hub.