| hear his voice now. 
He cries out, 
desperate to escape 
the inferno, reaching 
out to those who 
cannot save him. His 
voice will reach across 
the years, even as his 
soul does not. 

The last cycle of 
peace is complete. 
The center of the fire 
will consume all 


23 Aug 2001 (most | Cantor Fitzgerald 

recent manifestation) offices, 102nd floor, 
North Tower, 
10:30AM. 


around it, and those 
closest will perish 
before the pain 
begins. | hear the 
screams, and they last 
for moments. 

Soon, the time will 
come. An opportunity 
to destroy the 
Servants of Fire has 
come and gone. Here 
is where the suffering 
will be most acute. 
Here is where the air 
will remain calm as 
their worlds are 
consumed. Here they 
will wait, rendered 
helpless by the failure 
of their protectors. 
[NOTE: This is the first 
recorded instance of 
SCP-3395 directly 
addressing the area 
surrounding it.] 


SCP-3396: The Empyrean Parasite 


Death Valley, near the border of Exclusion Zone 3396. Note 


discoloration caused by dispersal of SCP-3396 fluids throughout 
local environment. 


Item #: SCP-3396 
Object Class: Tiamat! 


Strategic Conduct Protocols: Due to the rate of physical and 
metaphysical communicability presented by SCP-3396, complete 
containment is not attainable at this time. 


Exclusion Zone 3396, where SCP-3396's central nexus is located, is 
currently contested by multiple organizations (including the Global 
Occult Coalition, the United Nations, and the United States' Unusual 
Incidents Unit) and as such has been declared a neutral 
demilitarized zone by mutual agreement to prevent global warfare 
and a Lifted Veil scenario. 


Apprehension of all SCP-3396-01 entities is to be considered an 
overriding priority, to limit public exposure and prevent further 
SCP-3396 contamination within the global populace. Each specimen 
captured must be contained in a Class 4 Hazardous Bioform 
containment cell reinforced with an Atlas-pattern anti-thaumaturgic 
runic array. 


In the event that 15% of Earth's population becomes infested, see 
Document 3396-ALABASTER for specifications regarding personnel 
withdrawal, location of regional quarantine facilities, and subsequent 
alterations to Foundation prime directive. 


Description: SCP-3396 is a Category 4 extradimensional entity 
which exists as a gestalt of physically and metaphysically mutagenic 
symbiotes that currently inhabit and affect approximately 6% of the 
global population. 


SCP-3396's central nexus is located approximately 75 kilometers 
southeast of Death Valley, in the Mojave Desert. It manifests visually 
as a massive, tentatively biological structure with both arboreal and 
insectile characteristics, 27 meters tall and 23 meters wide between 
the ends of its largest branches. Coloration of this primary metaform 
is typically iridescent blue-green, though this has been shown to 
change, to the point of displaying different color patterns to different 
observers simultaneously. This central nexus releases a luminous 
blue-green fluid from an array of vents in its primary trunks and 
branches, which pools into a shallow reservoir at SCP-3396's base. 
SCP-3396 in its entirety is selectively tangible, and fails to interact 
normally with physical objects or electromagnetic radiation: this has 
made conventional, non-thaumaturgic testing and examination 
impossible. 


Physical exposure to SCP-3396 or its secretion results in dramatic 
alterations to the physical and metaphysical properties of biological 
organisms. These effects are unpredictable and highly variable, 
though there are a small number of commonalities in all cases. 


Biological organisms affected by SCP-3396 (designated 
SCP-3396-01) will develop additional organs and tissues of 
unknown purpose which metastasize rapidly throughout the body's 
cavities. These tissues are luminous and blue-green in coloration, 
and do not interact with physical matter or energy as would be 
appropriate for a conventional substance, suggesting a primarily 
thaumaturgic or nonbaryonic composition. SCP-3396 growths may 
be displayed superficially at random, but are always expressed 
internally. Organs, tumors, vesicles, and skeins of SCP-3396 
internal growth have proven impossible to surgically extract from a 
host body, as they consistently fail to interact physically with surgical 
implements or techniques. 


Humans mutated by SCP-3396 infection typically display significant 
alterations to their physiology as with any other affected organism, 
but rarely undergo psychological changes, apparently retaining their 
personality and memories while either preserving or in some cases 
amplifying the subject's mental faculties. This combined with the 
anomalous capabilities granted by SCP-3396 infection render 
human SCP-3396-01 exceedingly dangerous. 


Addendum 3396-01 - Examples of the effects of SCP-3396 


exposure and infection. 


Subject 


Method of Exposul 
One Pogona barbata One drop of 
(common bearded SCP-3396 fluid 


Resuits 
Within 3 hours, 
subject has increased 


dragon) specimen, administered to top of dramatically in size 


male head 


and mass, to a length 
of 25 meters and 
approximate weight of 
5000 kilograms. 
Specimen displays 
significant structural 
alterations, including 
widened limbs, a 
mottled and porous 
surface texture, and a 
multitude of large 
dorsal vents which 
continually release a 
mixture of spores and 
various toxic gases. 
Specimen becomes 
docile to the point of 
lethargy, and does not 
react to physical 
examination. Skin 
samples yield genetic 
results extremely 
similar but not 
identical to a wide 
variety of fungal 
species, notably 
including Amanita 
bisporigera 
(destroying angel), 
Amanita phalloides 
(death cap), and 
Claviceps purpurea 
(ergot). 


One Canis lupus 
familiaris (dog) 
specimen, golden 
retriever, male 


One human, female, 
28 


Injection with 4 cubic 
centimeters of 
SCP-3396 fluid 


SCP-3396 fluid 
applied to skin of 
lower arm 


Over the course of 
approximately 2 
hours, subject loses 
its fur and develops 
irregular horn-like 
structures across its 
body. Vivisection 
reveals the presence 
of SCP-3396 organs 
and tissues 
throughout subject's 
body. Vivisection fails 
to terminate subject, 
as any damage 
incurred by the 
procedure is rapidly 
regenerated. Subject's 
behavior Is Unaitered. 
Subject's skin quickly 
absorbs fluid. No 
immediate physical 
changes. When asked 
if the subject noticed 
any change of mood 
or sensation, subject 
replied, “I understand 
firepower.” An 
extremely large variety 
of rotary cannon then 
appeared in the 
subject's hands, which 
she then used to fire 
upon Foundation 
personnel and breach 
containment. When 
struck by return fire 
from responding 
Foundation security 
forces, subject's body 
fragmented, producing 


One human, male, 42 Subject instructed to 
inhale fumes 
produced by 
SCP-3396 fluid. 


violent explosions 
which inflicted no 
damage upon the 
subject but caused 
significant destruction 
to testing installation 
and facilitated 
subject's escape. 
Specimen's body 
continued to fragment, 
explode, and 
regenerate upon 
receiving damage, the 
pieces levitating near 
the specimen's central 
body and transmuting 
into further instances 
of high-powered 
projectile weaponry. 
37 casualties 
recorded. Subsequent 
testing chambers 
reinforced. 

No immediately 
apparent effects for 
approximately 3 
hours. Four exact 
copies of subject 
appeared within 
testing chamber. All 
five then stated 
simultaneously, “Only 
fools like you would 
see the blessing of 
magic as a curse.” 
The five entities joined 
hands, then 
corporeally fused into 
one massive non- 
human organism, with 


ten arms of varying 
sizes, a central mass 
of undifferentiated 
flesh, and dozens of 
levitating structures 
resembling 
disembodied hands, 
each with an eye fixed 
within the palm. A 
large volume of water 
manifested within the 
chamber and swirled 
energetically, 
obscuring the bioform 
from view. The fluid 
then fell to the 
chamber floor, 
subsequently 
determined to be non- 
anomalous seawater 
after examination. The 
whereabouts of this 
specimen are 
currently unknown. 


No observable pattern to the changes caused by SCP-3396 has 
been identified, and these alterations commonly result in anomalous 
properties and capabilities of considerable destructive power. These 
factors have resulted in numerous, repeated SCP-3396-01 
containment breaches despite continual containment cell 
reinforcement. 


While physical examination of SCP-3396 has proven impossible, 
thaumic scanning has yielded a single tangible result. Rather than 
providing their standard conceptual energy and thaumic potential 
readings, Foundation prototypic thaumic scanners invariably alter 
their method of data return to provide the word “THRIVE” ina 
random language upon each scan. The significance of this is 
unknown. 


No method of communication with SCP-3396 has been devised, nor 
has any method of removing its influence been discovered thus far. 


State of Engagement: SCP-3396 was located by chance during an 
archeological dig. Each member of the research group present 
became a SCP-3396-01 instance, and each worked to completely 
uncover SCP-3396 in a matter of days. Foundation assets were not 
notified in time to prevent these infected from returning to major 
population centers, and as a result SCP-3396 influence spread 
unchecked. Foundation containment efforts now center upon 
covertly locating and detaining all SCP-3396-01 instances as well as 
establishing control of the central SCP-3396 site, which is actively 
disputed by a number of organizations and global powers. 


The advent of SCP-3396 has begun to exert unprecedented 
changes upon global society despite Foundation anti-intelligence 
initiatives. SCP-3396-01 instances not under containment have 
utilized their newfound anomalous abilities for a variety of purposes 
thus far, including murder, nonviolent crime, mass-eradication of 
certain diseases, and public welfare initiatives. While the Foundation 
has maintained a semblance of control over global media and has 
thus far been able to limit public knowledge of SCP-3396-01 
instances, SCP-3396 contamination continues. As a result, 
SCP-3396-01 have extended beyond the bounds of the 
Foundation's influence. Multiple Groups of Interest, including the 
Global Occult Coalition, Serpent's Hand, and others have secured 
SCP-3396-01 instances and have begun utilizing them to their own 
ends while deliberately facilitating further infection among their 
ranks. 


In the event that SCP-3396 escapes the bounds of Foundation 
control entirely and causes a projected TPK-Class Thaumaturgic 
Proliferation scenario, Contingency 3396-ALABASTER will take 
effect, and the Foundation will take necessary measures to ensure 
the safety of what humanity remains. 


Footnotes 

1. Tiamat-class anomalies are entities whose influence cannot be 
covertly contained utilizing the resources and knowledge currently 
available to the Foundation, and as such are projected to 
fundamentally alter or wholly annul consensus normality barring 


direct Foundation engagement. 
/ 
Apotheosis Hub 


The Shape of a Gun 


SCP-440 Exploratory Log A 


Exploration #440-A: Animal Enclosure #42 
Explorer: D-23467 
TOD: 6/7/ 


Due to an increase in airborne SCP-440 concentrations preventing 
external viewing, D-23467 was sent into AE#42. D-23467 is 
equipped with a standard Foundation NBC suit with respirator, a 
flashlight, and a cannister of compressed air. 


Airlock Voice: Outside environment doors locked. Enclosure Door 
open. You may now enter the Enclosure. Have a safe and pleasant 
day. 


D-23467: Command? Can you hear me? 


Dr. : Loud and clear, Delta. What can you see from the 
airlock? 


D-23467: Um, not much, Command. The doors opening kicked up a 
bunch of this floating sand stuff. [sounds of compressed air firing] 
Booyah. Command, | see a bunch of rocks floating around. Lots of 
sand blowing around. None of the rocks are close, though. 


Dr. : Enter the Enclosure, Delta. Report what you see. 
D-23467: Sure enough, Command. It's not that... oh, jesus! 
Dr. : Report, Delta! 


D-23467: Oh, sorry, nothing serious. | have to /grunts] walk very 
slowly and carefully. | guess a lot of this floaty stuff eventually lands 
on the sand, cuz every step | take kicks it up. | have to, | dunno, 
goose-step to make sure I'm not kicking up plumes of this crap 
behind me. [pause] You sure this place is safe, Command? 


SCP-3397: Fortes Fortuna luvat! 


SCP-3397, as depicted in 1967. 


Item #: SCP-3397 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: Due to SCP-3397 occurring at 
a regular location and time each year, containment measures need 
not be enacted for most of the year. From the 22nd to the 25th 
August, civilians are to be deterred from entering the areas at which 
SCP-3397 manifests using the cover story of "restoration and 
preservation of archaeological sites." At no point is any sentient 
individual requiring a functional respiratory system permitted to 
make physical contact with any of SCP-3397-1 through -22. Metal 
objects are to be kept away from any manifestation of SCP-3397. 


Description: SCP-3397 is an event, occurring once a year since it 
was first observed in 1965, which appears to be a re-enactment of 
the circumstances leading to the death of the Roman natural 
philosopher Pliny the Elder. SCP-3397 is carried out by a number of 
selectively-corporeal entities! (designated SCP-3397-1 through -22) 
resembling various individuals who interacted with Pliny in the hours 
leading to his demise. This event occurs between the hours of 1300 
and 0800, local time, from 24th-25th August. It is localised in the 
Gulf of Naples, Italy, particularly around Cape Miseno and the ruins 
of Stabiae?. The scenes depicted during SCP-3397 heavily 
resemble those described by Pliny the Younger® in his letters to the 
historian Tacitus. 


Throughout the duration of SCP-3397, various objects and human 
figures described in Pliny the Younger's letter will appear from a 
location outside of line of sight and reproduce the events described 
in said letter. SCP-3397 begins at 1300 local time, when individuals 
resembling Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, and Plinia Marcella4 
(henceforth designated SCP-3397-1, 3397-2, and 3397-3 


respectively) manifest at Cape Miseno, discussing a "strange cloud". 
It ends at 0800 local time, when SCP-3397-1 collapses on the shore 
of Stabiae and cannot be revived by the two slaves attending him 
(designated SCP-3397-10 and 3397-11). 


At the conclusion of SCP-3397, all entities manifested during the 
event board the galley created near the beginning of SCP-3397 
(designated SCP-3397-23). After SCP-3397-2 through SCP-3397-22 
have boarded SCP-3397-23, SCP-3397-1 stands and addresses an 
unknown observer in Latin, saying; "By command of the Divine 
Caesar, we are condemned to never gaze upon the fields of 
Elysium. This eternal servitude was the consequence of our impiety. 
Look upon our plight, o mortals, and repent, lest you suffer a similar 
fate." After finishing, he boards SCP-3397-23 himself, which then 
sails southwestwards and vanishes when out of sight. 


SCP-3397's secondary anomalous effect occurs when a human 
subject initiates physical contact with an entity manifested during the 
event. When this occurs, the subject will fatally asphyxiate in 100% 
of cases. Autopsies of individuals killed in such a manner reveal that 
their asphyxiation was caused by the lungs becoming filled with ash. 
The mechanism by which ash enters the lungs is not known. 


It is currently unknown whether SCP-3397-1 through -22 are 
sentient beings. 


Experiment Log 3397: 
Test | - 24/08/1968