DISCLAIMER
Researchers from both The Major Explorer's Group and The Extranormal Investigative Society have collaborated to conduct research on this phenomenon.
Description
Tethering is the fine line separating The Frontrooms and The Backrooms, the connection between levels and places in our reality.
Most if not all levels within the Backrooms currently have or previously had a connection back in the Frontrooms, with some exceptions, such as those created by entities. (Example, Level 389.9.)
While its exact causes are unknown, what is known is that this line can be blurred or defined when environments on either side are altered.
What can blur the line?
- When the Frontrooms connection is lost, such as when a building is renovated or an open field is turned into a city. no-clipping becomes much more common in the surrounding area. (See "Level 0" in Examples.)
- When The Backrooms connection is lost, such as when a level is completely destroyed. No noticeable change occurs in The Frontrooms.
What can define the line?
- If an environment in The Frontrooms is designed around a level in The Backrooms, a connection is established, reducing the likelihood of no-clipping in the area.
- If the affects of Liminality completely alter a space in The Backrooms, the connection dissipates until no corelation remains.
Examples
Level 0
Level 0 was previously unconnected to a specific location in the Frontrooms. However, after Rohner's Furniture was established and the building was renovated, it bore striking similarities to Level 0, and a connection between Oshkosh, WI and The Backrooms was established. However, when the building was once again renovated after Rohner's closed, this connection was destroyed — resulting in Oshkosh becoming a hotspot for no-clipping.
Upstairs area of the building, mid-renovations.
The upstairs today, now owned by Hobbytown.
Map of reported no-clips following renovations.
Level 1
Level 1 is currently connected to the underground parking lot of the Putra Place Condominium in Penang, Malaysia, as well as Dora I in Trondheim, Norway. No-clipping reports in the surrounding areas have been few and far between.
An alternate angle of Putra Palace's Parking.
Another hallway in Dora I.
Theories
As the cause of Tethering is unknown, several theories have been crafted in hopes of explaining it.
Threshold Theory
Various thresholds may exist all over The Frontrooms, and the environment of these thresholds creates levels in the Backrooms. Whenever the environment changes, the threshold is broken for a prolonged period. However, it will slowly adapt to its new environment and create a new level based on the changes.
For example, a threshold could exist in an open field, resulting in a visually similar backrooms level. That field could then be built upon with man-made structures, breaking the threshold but leaving the level intact. Once the threshold adapts, a new level could be made from the new infrastructure, but leave that original field-based level intact.
Photo Theory
Connections could be created when photos are taken. While theorized to be extremely rare, and an exact cause cannot be determined, this may explain the existence of photos identical to various levels.
For example, a photo of an environment is taken, and a connection is created from that environment to The Backrooms.
Coincidence Theory
Self-explanatory. These connections could be completely unrelated.
