Davgon the Younger: The ones your 
Foundation call "neo-Sarkite". Those that 
betrayed everything we stood for. They are no 
different from Vultaas'8. They have no interest 
in ending the Tyranny of the Gods - they 
simply wish to replace them. 


Dr. Desmarais: Isn't apotheosis a central goal 
of Nalka? 


Davgon the Younger: Not like this. The 
Grand Karcist sought to raise *all* people. We 
hunger from famine of the flesh and spirit - 
they are the Devourers that feast while the 
masses starve. Murderers and rapists, every 
one. They spit on lon and his ways. Why 
compare them to us? I'm sorry but | overheard 
some of your associates the other day. I'm 
fully capable of understanding English, you 
know. Your organization lumps us together, 
labels us all "Sarkic". Nalka is a religion. My 
religion. Something | take pride in. But these 
monsters are pretenders - they appropriate our 
faith, wear it like strutting fashionistas, but they 
are not us. 


Dr. Desmarais: Have you encountered these 
people? 


Davgon the Younger: [Subject visibly pales, 
refusing to make eye-contact] Yes. During my 
Valtaanok, but | do not wish to speak of it. 
Might we visit the burrows instead? | know you 
are curious about our Lihakut'ak’9 traditions. 


<End Log> 


Closing Statement: Davgon is a man of two 
worlds, attempting to bridge the gap between 


myth and science, the past and present - but | 
sense struggle, the two facets of his identity 
not as harmonious as he believes. Many seek 
religion when in search for answers not meant 
for science - whereas he sought the sciences, 
hoping to answer the questions presented by 
his faith. 


Located beneath the village is an ancient network of cavernous 
tunnels. Dated to the 2nd millennium BCE, it is potentially the oldest 
Sarkic structure west of the Ural Mountains and was likely settled by 
the Adi-Um people prior to or shortly after the successful overthrow 
of Daevite rule. The walls display thousands of years of artistic 
expression, either painted with red pigment or engraved into the 
stone itself. Images include flora and fauna (some of which are 
entirely unidentifiable) and humanoid figures undergoing 
metamorphosis. Adytite glyphs are also common but most are faded 
beyond recognition, their meaning a casualty of time. 


These caverns are also used in the cultivation of various fungi, 
Foundation mycologists identifying thirteen unique and previously 
unrecorded species. One species, the recently named Mycena 
candentis ("lon's Flame" to the locals), produces a green light quite 
reminiscent of the auroras common to the region, with a brighter 
bioluminescence than any known non-anomalous organism. The 
fungus is harvested and used to light the village at night. Another 
fungus, Psilocybe calixtinus29 ("Nadox Eyes" to the locals), is a 
potent psychotropic employed during religious rituals. 


Another section serves as a kennel, housing a previously unknown 
SK-BIO species (classified as SK-BIO Type ©). The creatures wag 
their tails (and tendrils) and pant excitedly at our arrival. Although 
their behavior differs little from the average canine, they look 
absolutely nothing alike - indeed, it would be difficult to even 
recognize them as mammals (something Foundation biologists 
continue to debate). Known as "panalka" (or "witch-hounds"), the 
species has a leathery red epidermis, chitinous white plates and 
scales, a thick mane of white feathers, and a row of prehensile 
tendrils along its spine. Its head resembles a featureless skull while 
its mouth opens along multiple axes, due to the multiple flaps of 


muscle and skin that compose the aperture. Its six legs provide 
excellent locomotion and its feet resemble a cross between talons 
and hooves. Although they lack visible eyes, Davgon assures me 
that their vision is keen and that they even see things "beyond the 
sight of man". 


| asked about SK-BIO Type O's origins, Davgon informing me that 
the seemingly chimeric species does in fact descend from wolves. | 
delved deeper - perhaps deeper than one in my position should - 
into the ethical ramifications of fleshcrafting. Davgon took a moment 
to laugh and shake his head, then replied: 


"They are healthier than wolves. They can live well over eighty 
winters. And they are as clever as ravens. You outsiders are in no 
place to criticize our ways. Your methods are both inefficient and 
cruel. Can you truly say the same of your dogs? The pug is a crime 
against nature." 


| found no fault in his argument. Shifting the conversation, | inquired 
again about his faith and was able to convince him to translate some 
Sarkic scripture. Though the Foundation has encountered Sarkic 
scripture in the past, such documents vary from cult to cult and are 
devoid of codification. In turn, such documents are rife with 
contradictions and there is strong evidence that much of the Sarkic 
religion - its history, mythology, ritual, and dogma - was either lost or 
purposefully removed. The Va/kzaron, the most complete Sarkic 
grimoire in Foundation possession, displays evidence of gross 
alterations dating back centuries. This suggests that shortly after the 
original faith (or Ur-Sarkicism, as Dr. Low has proposed) suffered its 
greatest defeat, others sought to control the narrative and use it 
towards their own ends (such is the way of even non-anomalous 
religions). 


What Davgon was able to translate proved intriguing and important 
to understanding the Sarkic ethos, while also providing a possible 
explanation for the peacefulness of Sarvi. Examples are provided in 
the collapsible below: 


+ Newly Recovered Scripture 


lon's Sermon at the Black Sea: 


If you seek treasure, power, and reputation — 
to rule man through conquest and tyranny — 
then leave us now, return to the shadows of 
your own black ambition, and know that you 
will not escape our light. 


But should you wish to learn wisdom — to 
shatter the chains of bondage and realize the 
potential of mankind — then | shall embrace 
you as blood and teach you the way of all 
flesh. 


You take pride in your triumphs. This is not 
unexpected, for you have shown the world that 
the Daeva can be felled - that they can be 
driven from your lands. No longer will your 
children be fed to their infernal engines. No 
longer will you sacrifice to their gods of pain 
and domination. We are the doomed that 
stand defiant, for the redemption of the many. 


Be ever mindful, for pride precipitates a terrible 
fall. As you gaze deep into the void, let not the 
void become you. 


Our Great Work is incomplete. For as long as 
the gods remain, we will never be free. Take 
pity on the Daeva, for they are but shadows 
upon the wall - harbingers of those that cast its 
darkness; a darkness we must dispel. 


But as long as humanity remains divided, as 
long as they believe the lies of the gods, we 
cannot know victory. 


We will sail the vast seas; we will march 
through the highest mountains. We will spread 
our ways until the whole of the world knows 
our Truth. 


And the Light of Truth shines through endless 


night. 
Lovaatar falls, only to be reborn: 


...And Lovataar said unto lon, "This rebellion 
ends now. You will be denied the martyrdom 
you seek. You were born a slave andsoa 
slave you shall remain. 


By the Gods, | will claim you as my own. | will 
know you. | will break you. You will forsake 
your vows a thousand times and crawl through 
flame just to worship at my holiest of altars. 
You will salivate and rise at the sound of my 
voice. My pleasure will become your new 
religion. 


And when the day comes, you will feel 
honored to die by my hand." 


The Grand Karcist set aside his staff, let his 
robes fall, and stood calm with open arms. 


"Pathetic," said the Daeva. 


But the Grand Karcist intended no such 
surrender for, lo, his flesh took new shape. 
Blessed tendrils erupted from his ascended 
form and bound Lovataar as a spider did its 


prey. 


And lon said unto Lovataar, "See through the 
lies of your God-Queen and her daemonic 
masters. Surrender and be witness to the 
dread reality of our world and beyond. 


Feel the pain of the many, their suffering and 
sorrow, and know that we are all one flesh." 


The Ancient Litany flooded the Daeva's mind 
and pulled her into its abyss. She beheld her 


SCP-928 is very tactically precise, its 
opponent seems to practice a prophylactic# 
style, stymieing most of White's tactics. Black 
controls somewhat more space than White 
and is most likely on the initiative... 


...[n short, while Black probably has fewer 
pieces than White, it makes use of them more 
effectively and has a strategic advantage over 
White, which | suspect results from a 
knowledge of its opponent superior to White's 
understanding of it. Unless we've significantly 
misjudged the game state or SCP-928 
displays some unexpected skills, it will most 
likely lose within thirty turns. | am obviously 
unable to say what exactly this would entail for 
the doll itself or for the Foundation, considering 
that we are in possession of it... 


Signed, 
Researcher Lester Short 


Footnotes 

1. While other variants are possible considering the squares and 
pieces present, Capablanca Chess is the most widely-known variant 
that is consistent with known data. 

2. Anecdotal evidence of subjects exposed to SCP-928 existing 
outside of Foundation custody exists; however, none of the subjects 
appeared to notice or be willing to communicate with personnel and 
were inexplicably lost. Thus, these reports remain unconfirmed. 

3. [Alexander Alekhine was the fourth World Chess Champion. Born 
Oct. 1892, died Mar. 1946.]— Ed. 

4. [Prophylaxis is any move that restricts the opponent's freedom to 
take action in a certain area unimpeded.]— Ed. 


« SCP-927 | SCP-928 | SCP-929 » 


mother, Daeva of Daevas, God-Queen of an 
empire, and saw the crimson tethers that 
dictated her every action. 


"Her power comes at a price," spoke the voice 
of lon. "Her will is not her own. She is bound 
by the Blood, shaped by the Blood, and so too 
are you. May your delusion of power fade, for 
you have never been free - you have always 
been a slave. Your traditions, your supposed 
birthright, are entirely meaningless. Who really 
lurks behind your mask of violence and 
domination? What is left when only truth 
remains?" 


Lovataar fell ever deeper and from the 
darkness came temples, great and terrible 
ziggurats dedicated the gods. From their 
terraces flowed rivers of blood 


And the voice of lon spoke again. "Symbols 
have power. You are Daeva. You know this 
well. That is what the Living Avatars taught 
your people. But these pacts come with a 
terrible price. A price that drives your empire. 
A price you force upon others to escape your 
fate. Sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice. 


Why do the gods thirst for blood? Why do they 
covet your faith? Look closer, see the cracks in 
their divinity - behold the workings of their 
twisted machinations." 


And the temples crumbled, stone by stone, 
revealing undulating flesh in impossible 
shapes. She beheld them across every 
iteration of reality, eternity and doom - creation 
and destruction - all in the same form. Her 
mind screamed, suffocating at the edge of 
madness. These were the true gods! The 
faceless rulers of the universe! 


But there was more - something beyond even 
the gods and their black, unspeakable 
ambitions. The threads of fate all pull in one 
direction - moved just as the stars and moon 
and sea. 


And Lovataar gazed upon the truth of our 
reality. Here was the tumorous heart of our 
stillborn universe. The beginning and the end 
of all things; mother and father - our dread 
progenitor! A cosmic void wrapped in flesh and 
sinew, eternally screaming its inconceivable 
secrets from a billion venom soaked tongues. 
Its world devouring maw opened and she 
beheld the countless souls who bellow in grief 
and tears. 


And lon said with sorrow. "Not even in death... 
Do you feel their pain? Without suffering, there 
can be no empathy, without empathy there is 
hope, and without hope we will never 
transcend." 


Lovataar felt their suffering; never before had 
she known such pain. 


"And in sorrow, and in love, we become one - 
we are the new flesh that will usurp the old. 
And end this Cosmic Blasphemy once and for 
all. | hold truth as a flame - may it burn away 
your falsehoods." 


Lovataar was returned to reality. She fell to the 
ground, shedding tears for the living, for the 
dead, and for all she had ever harmed. 


"Just kill me," said the Daeva. "| am at your 
mercy. End this now. You have your chance." 


lon placed his hand upon her cheek. 


And lon said unto Lovataar: "Take off your 
mask.” 


lon stands before the People of Urartu: 


The people of Urartu wished to welcome the 
Grand Karcist, who by right of war was now 
master of the city and of the lives and fortunes 
of its people. lon took to the palace balcony 
and cast his gaze upon the multitudes. Finding 
the people soaked in blood and viscera, the 
Grand Karcist demanded to know just what 
they had done. 


"We give you the blood of our children! A great 
sacrifice in your name! For you, our saviour - 
our living God!" They swayed in rapturous 
delight, raising their crimson hands so that lon 
might behold the evidence of their deed. "For 
your power and glory!" They cried. 


The Grand Karcist stumbled back and fell to 
his knees. The broken remains of the innocent 
littered the ground, while their mothers and 
fathers stood entranced - their eyes wide with 
fanaticism. Orok joined lon's side, helped him 
to his feet and asked: "Do these animals 
deserve salvation? Can they even be 
redeemed?" 


lon hesitated, blinded by the glare of this 
atrocity. "Yes," he answered even as tears 
rolled down his cheeks. "They are ignorant, 
knowing only the way of the Daeva and their 
perverse gods. We will teach them and lead 
them away from this darkness." 


Orok sighed and lowered his head. "At the first 
sign of weakness, they will turn on you like the 
ravenous beasts that they are. | would advise 
retiring for the night - the mob is simply too 


unpredictable. Best we allow their fervor to die. 
And if they seek to bring you harm, | will crush 
them." 


"They can be saved," he again reminded. 
"They must be." 


The Sarkic calendar emphasizes astronomical phenomena and is 
based on the alignment of celestial bodies rather than solar (Such as 
the Gregorian calendar) or lunar/lunisolar (such as the traditional 
Chinese calendar). Precision is unimportant, the calendar 
recognizing seasons and years but not days. The calendar is 
primarily used in the reckoning of animal migration and holy periods. 


The calendar is divided into three seasons: Katkea ("The Cradle") 
corresponding with spring and early summer, Tulisija ("The Hearth") 
corresponding with mid to late summer and early autumn, and 
Kalmaa ("The Grave") corresponding with mid to late autumn and 
winter. 


Sacred periods, known as vahvuusajat ("times of strength"; singular: 
vahvuusaika), are similar to the concept of holidays. | was able to 
observe one such vahvuusaika known as Lovaska.