Item Description: “Russian Roulette Drops” - A 12cm long tube, 
dense plastic, text in Cyrillic, but with English spelling, produced by 
“Red Star”. Tube has two small pressure pads positioned to either 


SCP-2381: Call of the Hyphae 


Item #: SCP-2381 
Object Class: Keter 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-2381 is currently 
uncontained. Key security personnel in local and national 
governments are to be briefed on new outbreaks, as they have 
allotted resources and cooperation to Foundation containment 
teams. 


All samples of SCP-2381 are to be stored in a hermetically sealed, 
BSL-4 cryoprotective freezer. Samples are to be cultured using 
standard yeast growth mediums. Work with SCP-2381 is to take 
place under BSL-4 conditions inside a facility within Block-D of Site 
234. Personnel are required to wear 2 layers of BSL-4 protective 
equipment, and 1 layer of protective undergarments including a 
biohazard air filter. Personnel exiting this facility are to undergo 4 
screening checkpoints composed of the following: 


¢ Multistep decontamination of the first layer. 

¢ Removal of the first layer of protective gear, and multi-step 
decontamination of the secondary layer. 

* Removal of second layer, incineration of both first and second 
layers. Multi-step decontamination of distributed 
undergarments. 

¢ Removal and incineration of undergarments, followed by a 
multi-step sterilization cycle, a standard rinsing shower, and 
blood test screening. 


Personnel should completely avoid physical contact and aerosol 
exposure with SCP-2381. 


In the event of an accidental infection, checkpoints are to be 
hermetically sealed, and individuals within the facility analyzed for 
stage 1 symptoms. Individuals exhibiting these symptoms are to be 


informed, and offered standard termination benefits.1 Regardless of 
the response, termination should occur after diagnosis. At this time, 
there are no treatments for infection. Should a treatment be 
discovered, these procedures will be reviewed and modified as 
needed. 


In the event of an outbreak, MTFs Chi-7 ("Plague Tamers") and 
Beta-7 ("Maz Hatters") are to be deployed and establish 
standard quarantine procedures. Affected areas are to undergo 
"salting"? and SCP-2381-1 instances removed using slash and burn 
tactics. Quarantine operations are to be masked by disinformation 
units as outbreaks of well known non-anomalous pathogens. Media 
referring to or depicting an outbreak is to be intercepted, and 
altered. Non-Foundation personnel aware of the anomaly are to be 
treated with Class-B amnestics. 


Use of SCP-3536 for study of SCP-2381 samples has been 
tentatively approved, pending fulfillment of appropriate BSL 
requirements. 


Update SCP-2381-P-2 As of 6/28/2016, individuals in stages 1 and 
2 of infection are to be placed in an anechoic chamber with an 
interior lead-lined wall, and administered Amphotericin B until 
infection is cleared. At this time, it is believed that SCP-2381-2 is 
responsible for the appearance and infections by SCP-2381 (See 
Addendum 1). 


Attempts to directly communicate and dissuade SCP-2381-2 from 
causing future outbreaks are being researched; however, should 
such attempts fail, the O5 council has approved several 
neutralization plans. 


Description: SCP-2381 is a previously undiscovered strain of 
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SCP-2381 is a human pathogen and is 
indistinguishable from non-anomalous strains until infection. 
SCP-2381 is extremely contagious, spreading through infected body 
fluids, direct physical contact, aerial spores, and aerosolized 
particles. 


When SCP-2381 makes physical contact with a host it will begin 
branching into a series of multinucleated fibers. These fibers, or 


hyphae, will penetrate into the surrounding tissue and exhibit 
behavior similar to that of Candida alibcans. 


SCP-2381's primary method of pathogenesis is enacted by 
converting cells into further SCP-2381 instances.$ In addition to this 
mechanism, hypha strands double in a manner similar to that of 
budding every 30 minutes. 


All SCP-2381 infections occur in 5 stages, over the course of 12-48 
hours. All infections terminate with the emergence and full 
development of a "toadstool"4 from the host's reproductive system. 
The resulting "toadstool" ranges from 9-50 m in height, with a stalk 
1-13 min width, and a spore-producing structure 3-20 m in 
diameter. These structures, hereby dubbed SCP-2381-1, emit aerial 
spores at a constant frequency consistent with most multi-cellular 
fungi, however; the fruiting body never rots and continues releasing 
spores for an indeterminate duration. At the end of stage 5 the 
former host's body is dissolved, releasing a dense network of 
hyphae? which will embed itself into the surface it falls on, 
regardless of composition. 


Stages 
Stage 1 


Stage 1 of infection begins when an SCP-2381 cell makes contact 
with exposed skin or mucousal membranes. Initially, the infection 
remains localized to a small area, with strands spreading out over 
3-4 mm, forming a lesion. As infection begins penetrating into 
deeper tissue, infestation of sensory nerves may elicit heightened 
pain responses. 


Stage 2 


Stage 2 primarily involves spread of infection from the initial layer of 
tissue, onto the surrounding epidermis and deeper soft tissues. 
Damage to muscle and connective tissue usually begins here while 
entry into the blood stream, especially in respiratory infections, may 
occur. From stage 2 forward, individuals become increasingly 


contagious, especially due to blood and spore-laced coughs. 


Stage 3 


Penetration into major organ systems or the bones in infected limbs 
are hallmarks of stage 3. Loss of function and feeling in large 
segments of the epidermis occur at high frequencies, and in some 
cases, entire limbs are rendered inert. Infected individuals may 
begin vocalizing pain at an increased volume as well as exhibiting 
several common symptoms including vomiting, blood laced coughs, 
uncontrollable bowel movements, and loss of consciousness. 


Stage 4 


At the beginning of stage 4 hyphae are present in all major organs, 
across all epidermal tissues and mucous membranes. 
Subsequently, exposed skin becomes hard to the touch with a coat 
of excreted slime.’ Infected hosts remain conscious and aware 
throughout this process, with a spike in awareness during the 
conversion of the eyes and/or tongue. 


Near the end of stage 4, infected individuals possessing a penis and 
testes will experience painful swelling, bulging, and stretching of the 
appendage, as the glans penis and corona glandis blossom 
outwards, taking on the shape of a "toadstool" from Basidiomycota. 
The urethral opening seals, and the blossoming structures begin 
developing infantile spore-producing structures. This process is 
similar in individuals possessing a functional vagina-cervix-uterus; 
however, the clitoral glans is forced to merge with the urethral and 
vaginal openings, as the fruiting body develops. 


Stage 5 


Stage 5 mostly concerns the development of the fruiting body as the 
host's reproductive system is incorporated into the expanding stalk 
and the conversion of the remaining nervous tissue. Individuals 
exhibit rapid memory loss and dementia as infection progresses, 
ultimately terminating with the maturation of the fruiting body and 
dissolution of the host's body. 


SCP-2381 emits and receives a number of radio transmissions, 
primarily at 900 MHz (See Addendum 1). Analysis of these 
transmissions has revealed a number of details about SCP-2381's 
origins and a possible person/entity of interest, hereby dubbed as 
SCP-2381-2, responsible for the creation and propagation of the 
pathogen. 


Initial Outbreak: 

SCP-2381 was initially reported in the city of Lourdes, France, by an 
embedded member of MTF-Chi-7. The initial outbreak began when 
a well-known local vineyard owner8 was brought into the district's 
medical center, showing signs consistent with stage 1 of infection. 
Foundation personnel were alerted of a possible anomalous 
outbreak when the infection spread to all attending physicians. At 
this time, Site-234 directional staff notified MTF-Beta-7 and the O5 
council of the developing situation, and Elements of Beta-7 were 
deployed to establish large-scale quarantine protocols. 


By the time they arrived in the city, infection had spread to the 
resident and tourist populations. An estimated 3,000 individuals 
succumbed to infection, including the embedded agent. An 
estimated persons who were exposed to aerial spores were not 
quarantined due to miscommunications between MTF-Beta-7 
operatives and the Quarantine Protocol Director present on site. At 
the end of the outbreak, MTF Beta-7 noted the heavy concentration 
of SCP-2381-1 instances within the urban area, especially in the 
streets.9 


As of 12/15/2015, active outbreaks are currently under quarantine. 
Cases are all believed to be linked to the initial outbreak, with a 
number of small outbreaks still emerging in several regions. MTF- 
Beta-7's quarantine protocol director is to undergo internal review 
before the Ethics Committee for her failure to properly contain the 
anomaly during the initial outbreak. 


Addendum 1: SCP-2381-2 


On 6/28/2016, personnel from MTF-Beta-7 and MTF- 
Chi-7 maintaining an SCP-2381 quarantine zone, in 
, China, notified requisition officers of faulty/ 


malfunctioning radio equipment.!9 Investigation of the 
malfunctioning equipment, away from the quarantine 
zone, concluded that the transceivers were functioning 
correctly; however, when returned to the mobile task 
force units, the previously described issues resumed. 


Foundation research personnel were subsequently 
deployed into the quarantine zone to locate the source of 
the interference, believing it to be caused by some 
undiscovered geographical anomaly. Researchers 
discovered, utilizing frequency scanning equipment, that 
SCP-2381-1 instances were in fact the source of the 
interference. The structures were emitting and receiving 
transmissions at a frequency of 900 MHz. Transmissions 
consisted of a series of extended high-pitched tones 
occurring at 30 minute intervals. Inquiries by lingual and 
radio transmission experts were able to discern a series 
of communications, in French, between SCP-2381 and, 
at the time, an unknown entity dubbed SCP-2381-2. 
Examples of these communications are recorded 
below. 11 


Transmission date: 6/29/2016 


SCP-2381-2: My spores, how do the hyphae 
spread? Are your stalks large? Do you 
overshadow those foul greens?12 


SCP-2381-1 Instance: Mother! We do spread 
well! Many of the stalkless have sacrificed to 
fulfill your vision! 


SCP-2381-2: My spores, my fibers twitch in 
pride. Soon it will be stalks, and not the 
detritus of the floor that towers above the 
stalkless! Tell me, do you hear the call of your 
brothers and sisters who | first gave life to 
above? 


SCP-2381-1: No Mother, only you. 


SCP-2381-2: My fibers wilt. 
Transmission date: 7/19/2016 


SCP-2381-1 Instance: Mother! Strange 
stalkless approach, in strange fiber of my 
spots! They maim the stalks, and burn the 
fibers! 


SCP-2381-2: My spores, you must 
[unintelligible]! 


SCP-2381-1: Mother it hurts! 


SCP-2381-2: My spores, you must hold the 
fibers high! Do not fall! 


Transmission date: 8/1/2016 
SCP-2381-2: My spores, do you bristle? 
No response 


SCP-2381-2: My spores, no longer float in the 
wind. The green's treachery shall not be 
forgotten. 


Transmissions in the area ceased after this 
exchange. 


On 8/2/2016 Foundation radio transmission experts were 
able to trace the origin point of the transmissions 
received by SCP-2381-1 instances, utilizing advanced 
Doppler readouts, to Lourdes, France. Survey teams 
from Chi-7 were unable to locate the source of the 
transmission on the surface; however, biological analysis 
of the vineyard owned by "patient zero" discovered a 
number of rotting fruiting bodies next to several notably 
large specimens of ash and oak trees. Genetic analysis 
revealed 99% similarity to samples of SCP-2381 held in 
Site-234. Further investigation using seismic imaging 
technology identified an enormous subterranean fungal 


system covering more than 20 square kilometers 
underneath the town. 


Footnotes 

1. Including standard life insurance and college tuition payment 
plans for any children under 23. 

2. Meaning that assigned MTF units are to spread large quantities of 
sodium chloride on all surfaces. 

3. The hyphae strands do this by drilling into the host cells' plasma 
membrane, penetrating small branches into the interior. Once inside, 
the branches will begin secreting a large number of enzymes and 
proteins of unknown function which completely convert the cell on 
both the genetic and physical levels into a new SCP-2381 cell. 

4. Which is structurally analogous to a variety of fruiting bodies from 
members ofBasidiomycota 

5. Known as a mycelium. 

6. This lesion is hard and scaly, consistent with the chitinous walls of 
the fungal cells. 

7. This slime is a mixture of proteases which break down the 
extracellular matrices that hold together cells in human tissues and 
organs. 

8. Whose vineyard is located over the center of SCP-2381-2. 

9. Described by Beta-7 operatives as "A literal forest of shrooms." 
10. Operatives complained of random interference, sudden and 
sometimes painful high-pitched tones, in addition to nausea and 
unease. Normal symptoms of exposed and extremely concentrated 
electromagnetic fields emanating from electronic equipment. 

11. Note, translations are based on a rough interpretation, as many 
words and sentences from the original slowed down recordings were 
simply repeated lists of different types of trees found in Western 
European deciduous forests. 

12. Believed to be a reference to trees. 


« SCP-2380 | SCP-2381 | SCP-2382 » 


SCP-2382: The Queen's Gallery 


Item #: SCP-2382 
Object Class: Safe 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-2382 is to be kept in a 
secure containment locker in Site-32. As testing has been 
discontinued, SCP-2382 should not be removed under any 
circumstances. 


Description: SCP-2382 is an intricately carved mahogany box, 
dimensions 20 cm x 15cm x 4cm. There were initially seventeen 
(17) notches on the edge of the box (see Addendum-1). There is no 
latch or locking mechanism. The inside of the box is velvet lined. If 
opened by a living human, a white envelope sealed with a red wax, 
designated SCP-2382-1, will be seen inside. Upon the box being 
closed with the envelope inside, the envelope will disappear. 


The envelope may be removed (the full name of the person who 
opened the box will be handwritten on the front in black ink) and 
opened, but the contents are always only a blank piece of paper 
apparently of the same type as the envelope. If not stopped, the one 
who opened the box will appear to try and read the paper, then 
return it to the envelope and the envelope to the box. If questioned 
they will deny that the paper was blank, but will be unable to say 
what was written on it. If anyone else handles the envelope or 
paper, or the box is closed without these being returned to it, these 
will rapidly deteriorate to the point of vanishing, but the effects of 
SCP-2382 will take place as normal. 


Opening SCP-2382 again after it has been closed will reveal it to be 
empty. If the box is opened by mechanical means, the box will 
always appear to be empty. If SCP-2382 is opened twice in 24 hours 
by two separate test subjects, the second test subject will find the 
box empty and will experience no effects. Closer inspection of the 
red wax on SCP-2382-1 reveals an emblem pressed into it, showing 


a sun behind a crown.