Beschreibung
Wretches are wanderers who have been deformed by the toll that The Backrooms has taken on them. Wretches can vary widely in appearance, and many specimens commonly produce oral gags or snarls with little known purpose.
Behavior
Wretches are almost always hostile, but their behavior otherwise varies wildly. They can use rudimentary tools and melee weapons. Some Wretches will form groups whereas others will remain solitary. Some will actively hunt humans while others will choose an area to live in and only kill Wanderers who enter their area. Other entities in the backrooms tend not to hurt Wretches, sometime even forming "packs" with them.
Stages of the Wretched Cycle
These are the stages that a human transforming into an Wretch will pass through.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | During stage one, a human will begin developing changes in the chemistry and wiring of their brain. Such changes include a deficiency or overabundance of certain brain chemicals, and the deterioration or overgrowth of certain neurons. This can induce hallucinations and delusions, often resulting in psychosis. At this stage, almond water can cure these symptoms and entirely reverse all potential damage, leading to a full recovery. |
| Stage 2 | The symptoms manifest as itchiness and irritation, comparable to a poison ivy rash; the skin will begin to become red and raw. Almond Water may still work as a cure, but victims may still be left with permanent scars on their skin. Past this stage, almond water is not guaranteed to be an effective treatment. |
| Stage 3 | Their body will gain further traits of a fully developed wretch. Their skin and muscle tissue will begin to dissolve in an unnatural fashion, often developing orifices and pustules, sometimes developing holes in their body. They will scream in pain if they are fed almond water. Giving them enough Almond Water will usually kill them, but there have been some cases where they returned to their full mental state, albeit with horrible physical deformities. |
| Stage 4 | They are a full Wretch with all of the traits of their type. They will develop a large open smile, mostly without teeth. There are rumors of a benevolent 4th stage Wretch, but these are unconfirmed. |
Biology
Like their behavior, the appearance of a Wretch often varies greatly. A fully infected body will have reddish-brown skin that is dry and flaky, covered in holes and pustules secreting a thick red-brown substance (believed to be a mixture of pus and blood). Wretches are often skeletal in appearance, belying a great potential strength and resilience; larger Wretches have been rarely seen.
Embers of wretch's past self are difficult to discern, but visible if closely observed. One may identify personal keepsakes (e.g, clothing, tools, personal belongings), though often mutilated beyond recognition. Mutations are frequent in Wretches, often resulting in misplaced eyes and disjointed or excess limbs.
Discovery
Wretches have been known in The Backrooms for as long as humans have inhabited it.
Do's and Don'ts
Do:
- Attempt to save yourself or another with the possible cures previously mentioned.
- Listen to their vocalizations to discern the threat level of individual Wretches.
- Sleep, eat, and hydrate regularly to prevent onset of the transformation.
Don't:
- Attempt to save a Wretch at Stage 3.
- Lose yourself and your humanity to the Wretched Cycle.