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The Async Research Institute (also known as the Async Foundation or simply Async) is a research organization responsible for opening the Low-Proximity Magnetic Distortion System (also known as the Threshold) into the Backrooms. It is located in San Jose, California.
History[]
Before opening the Backrooms[]
In April of 1988, Async started an experiment on opening a doorway into the Backrooms based on the research by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The experiments were directed by vice director Ivan Beck and were described as a solution for all future storage and housing needs. The experiments continued as they got funding from the government.
Opening the Backrooms[]
On July 2, 1988, the third test to open the doorway resulted in failure. The sixth test on October 17, 1989, was successful. Two scientists argued whether to shut down the machine or not. Some form of obstruction was also detected. The experiment was not shut down and after the machine almost broke, the Backrooms were finally opened. But the opening of the Threshold caused an earthquake that knocked out all electricity in the building and killed 63 people.
Exploring the Backrooms[]
On November 14th, an unnamed researcher goes in The Complex to disassemble one of the ceiling tiles and examine what is above the ceiling. on November 15th Dr. Julia Meisner talks about lamps and mentions some codes and years on the lamp bulbs. The video ends with Julia Meisner talking and her voice fading, and as the camera gets closer to the ceiling, the sound of the fluorescent lights gets louder.
Soon after opening the Threshold, members of Async started exploring and documenting the Backrooms. On February 2nd, 1990, A research team found a decomposing corpse with mold growing around it, which most likely was Nicolas Bolton, which an autopsy is performed on two days later. The doctor, who didn't know about the Backrooms, was baffled by the unnatural decay. There was also a mutated strain of hay bacillus inside the corpse.
On February 29th, 1990, a researcher of the institute, Peter Tench went to investigate sounds of people chattering coming from a corner of the Backrooms, but then got seemingly teleported a few months into the future and became lost. The threshold outpost was constructed inside the Backrooms, right behind the Threshold. The lost researcher found the outpost and threshold. But when he walked inside, the alarm went off.
On March 5th, 1990, a system of video cameras was setup to detect motion and sound. The cameras detected an undetermined sound and a strange creature crawling on the ceiling, giving Async the first clue of the dangers of the Backrooms. Later, on May 6th, 1990, an expedition team consisting of Marvin E. Leigh, Mark, George and Kim found a room made of pits (the Pitfalls). When trying to get the camera across, Marvin fell down into a pit. Down there, he encountered a monster mimicking a human voice and managed to get out alive. The team would later present the footage to the rest of Async. The way to the room of pits got sealed away and many new safety precautions were setup.
Between the 7th and 10th, scientists from the United States Department of Energy went on tour inside the Backrooms to secure Async's funding. Although the funding was secured, the meeting were Async was doing negociations with a representative of the DOE was interrupted by Peter Tench entering the Observation room and activating the security system after being disappeared for more than two months.
On May 25th the wooden wall sealing the area of the Pitfalls got deconstructed and a rover was sent to the pits to check if the area was safe for further exploration, after which a team of researchers armed with a shotgun was sent to confirm the absence of the monster and to take measurements of the width and length of the pits. Following the reclaiming of the area, a vehicle with building materials was sent to the Pitfalls to construct a safe walkway across the room and into the door on the other side.
Known Members[]
Ivan Beck[]
Vice Director of the institute, responsible for proposing the idea of the Backrooms and overseeing all KV31 projects.
Director/AnthonyDawkins[]
High-ranking personnel of Async, he meets Marvin and the other researchers when they return with the footage of the monster or bacteria.
Marvin E. Leigh[]
Cameraman for Async. While exploring with a team he fell into one of the unexplored pitfalls, and became the first researcher to record an encounter with an entity, on May 6, 1990.
Mark Blume[]
Member of Marvin's exploration team. He successfully crosses the room full of pits and looks behind the door on the other side. He was shot by Peter Tench with his own shotgun. He was born on an unknown date but died on May 25, 1990.
George Levy[]
Member of Marvin's exploration team. He carries the red tether and goes to find a longer one when the one they already have is too short to save Marvin with.
Kim[]
Member of Marvin's exploration team.
Unnamed doctor[]
Performs the autopsy on who is presumed to be Nicolas Bolton.
Peter Tench[]
A former researcher. On February 29, 1990 he was separated from his exploration team and time travelled two and a half months to May 7, 1990. During those two months, however, A-Sync had faked Tench's death in order to mask his disspaearance and bring closure to his familiy, which resulted in him staying in the A-Sync underground facility until he fled back into the Complex due to alleged development of mental ilness. Tench was then found by Mark Blume. After taking the shotgun from him, he proceeded to fatally wound him and escape the facility as an armed individual. Before exiting the facility, however, he was disarmed by Kirk Maxwell. While outside, Tench failed to predict a sudden drop in the relief, in which he fell, fall followed by his death.
Unnamed researcher and Clyde[]
Review the footage Marvin captured.
Miller[]
A researcher who most likely hypothesized that things and people from the real world can fall into the Backrooms via Null Zones.
Randall Tachi[]
A researcher who worked with Mark and Marvin to help uncover room 14C.
A member of Async, who was able to disarm Peter Tench prior to his boarding the elevator and his subsequent death.
Unnamed Supervisor[]
A member of Async, appeared in Motion Detected two times, he was recorded helping in setting up the cameras and passing by and returning to the threshold.