Preface
It's estimated that 47% of M.E.G. members live permanently in the first 5 levels, and similar percentages hold across other groups.1 This, in retrospect, shouldn't be all that surprising. The long trek from 4 to 11 is fraught with danger, and not everyone is even capable of undertaking it. In fact, as the Frontrooms' average age rises and average physical fitness dwindles, the M.E.G. anticipates a worsening of these problems in years to come.
But the early levels are not as long-term sustainable as many would like to think. Wearable fabrics, soap, medicinal supplies, and nutrient-rich foods are all extremely rare, among other crucial resources. Meanwhile 11, being the hub that it is, has access to all of these easily. The solution, then, is obvious: either send people from 4 to 11 or send goods from 11 to 4. Both of these are the jobs of the Dark Highway Runners.
The purpose of this handbook is not to fully educate you on all aspects of Dark Highway Running - there are whole databases for that and true knowledge can only come through experience - but rather to provide you with a solid foundation surrounding the history, operation and protocols of Running. Many of the concepts described ahead will be life-saving; take them seriously.2
Generalities
Dark Highway Running is one of the oldest and most well-respected positions in the M.E.G.3 Operatives who engage in Dark Highway Running are called Dark Highway Runners, and collectively the Runners form a standalone M.E.G. team: team "Ratites".4
On paper, Runners have a surprisingly simple job: to be an expert at traversing the infamous Dark Highway, a series of entrances, exits, and paths through the Backrooms. This is where the name comes from. However looks can be deceiving, and as a Runner you will have to become fully accustomed to the Highway's unique quirks. Not only this, you must learn how to handle the Highway under different circumstances, such as when transporting different cargo or when escorting a civilian.
This is a massive oversimplification. Those "low probability" tags hide much more than it seems, and there are way more levels than these 6 which you might have to go through. To be honest it kinda demonstrates my whole problem with this handbook. Yeah it's not technically wrong, in fact most information here is solid, but my God it's so overly precise. Everything in nice neat little "moderate-high risk" boxes. It's like teaching someone to bake with laboratory equipment. You could probably do it, but it doesn't really resemble actual baking anymore.
Diagram illustrating the Dark Highway
Each individual pass through the Dark Highway is called a Run, and they can be dangerous, treacherous, and filled with a wide variety of obstacles and entities. Before you even set foot into a Run, there are a number of things you must understand.
The first is that you must maintain your physical fitness. Eat, sleep, and exercise both frequently and in a routine. If you fall ill, take time to rest, and don't be afraid to take any of the medication the M.E.G. may prescribe to you.5 Practice the physical tasks the Highway may demand of you: climbing; evasion; direct confrontation; rescue and first aid; navigation when disorientated. Being able to do these things has a much bigger impact on your success as a Runner than most would like to admit.
The second is that your mental health is key. The Wretched cycle is a common killer amongst Runners, so it is imperative you avoid falling into it. Don't think your mind is any less important than your body; quite the opposite. Exercise and meditation has been proven to help, and the M.E.G. has many support structures for you to reach out to. Look out for you fellow Runners as well, don't think you're "ratting them out" if you report unusual behavior. You wouldn't let a friend Run with a broken leg, so don't let them Run with a broken mind.6
I'd like to add a fourth and most important one: Work with your team. You are not the hero of this story. You're just some guy. Arrogant Runners come in all the time thinking they're gonna be the boss of the Highway, but the Highway budges for nobody. You have to meet it on its terms. Take things slow when possible, let people do the jobs they're good at, just generally have some…y'know…humility?
The third is the nature of probability. Not every corner will have an entity, and not every Run will result in a death. In fact the odds of either of these events occurring is very slim. But remember that every time you turn a corner, every time you set out on a Run, you're rolling the dice. If you become lax, or lose focus, or take unnecessary risk, then one day you will roll snake eyes, and at that point there won't be many people left to save you. You need to understand the difference between unlikely and impossible. At regular points along your journey, ask yourself the following:
- When have I last encountered an entity?
- What kinds of entities appear on this level?
- How frequently do entities appear on this level?
- If a particular entity appeared at the next corner, what would I do?
- What are my responsibilities in this team?
- What or who is the most vulnerable, and how can I protect them?
- Is this level acting as I expect it to? If not, what exactly is amiss and what does it imply?
Why the Highway?
In recent years Dark Highway Running has seen decline, as safer and cheaper transport routes have been discovered. Despite this the Dark Highway is still an invaluable trade path for the M.E.G. - and likely always will be - especially when it comes to wanderer transportation. This is due to a unique combination of traits which make the Highway preferable to other options. These include:
- Straightforwardness: Each exit in the Highway follows from the last easily. It is never unclear where you have to go in the Highway, it is just difficult to get there.
- Well-Understood Nature: The Highway has been used by wanderers for a very long time now; the Venosha have been using it since long before the M.E.G. ever formed. Because of this the entrances, exits, and levels involved are extremely well-documented. Unconfirmed or recently discovered pathways tend to be riskier than the Highway for this reason.
- Speed: The Backrooms is very big and very empty. Most transport routes take weeks to deliver anything anywhere. This makes the Highway's median travel time of 4 days extremely appealing to the M.E.G., especially in emergencies.
- Stability: All of the "standard" entrances and exits used by the Highway are stable; they are not prone to disappearance like many others.