SCP-5457-Z

A member of SCP-5457-Z, an Under-Froggian.

## **`DESCRIPTION`**

SCP-5457-Z refers to a population of approximately 23,000 sapient anthropomorphic beings formerly living in a vast system of partially flooded underground caves and tunnels, located under and around Lake Grenouilleau in Mézières-en-Brenne, France. These passages were originally natural formations, but have been expanded by SCP-5457-Z to extract mineral resources and obtain more living space.

SCP-5457-Z instances bear resemblance to amphibians of the anura order (frogs). Instances are on average 1.50 m (5 ft) tall, bipedal, have varying body shapes, and display different skin colours and patterns. These colours and patterns are often similar to non-anomalous frog species, including some not found in France or Europe. These similarities are only superficial and are not associated with any unique characteristics. Contrary to most non-anomalous frog species, both male and female instances have a vocal sac.

SCP-5457-Z instances are capable of secreting a toxic mucus, the quantity and potency of which is influenced by an instance's health. This mucus, when ingested by a human, will cause intestinal pain, fevers and delirium. These symptoms generally subside after a day, and will have no long-term effects.

SCP-5457-Z have terrified of French people for some time, believing that the French would hunt and eat them if they were discovered. Subsequently, the community has developed a cultural obsession with isolation and secrecy; very few instances ever leave their dwellings.

SCP-5457-Z instances consider themselves citizens of the "République de Basse-Grenouillie" (Republic of Under-Frogia) which is lead by a democratic assembly of 24 elected officials, with elections being held every 4 years.

The Republic of Under-Frogia possesses a standing professional army tasked with fortifying and defending every entry point into Under-Frogian territory.

A small force within this army consists of highly trained scavengers, who venture outside their dwellings to look for specific or new resources necessary for the upkeep of their society, such as raw materials not found in caves, seeds from surface plants or insects that would serve as novelty snacks.

Scavengers are seen as bold and heroic figures due to the high risk involved if they were spotted.

Since signing the treaty with SCP-5457-Z, the Foundation has provided them with a regular flow of supplies. In exchange for which scavengers had promised to stop venturing to the surface. However, after recent events, this treaty has been dissolved.

**ADDENDUM:** On November 5, 2017, a group of Under-Froggians were located after a break of on-site containment, led by one of the Under-froggians, named Martin Duval, who had come to suspect the fear mongering used by the Foundation was just being used to keep them imprisoned in their declining living conditions.

They were confronted by Foundation Agent Michelle Duvarier, with whom Martin had a good relationship. After raising her weapon at Martin, she took a deep breath and {REDACTED}. Afterward, she placed a formal request to the Ethics Committee to be amnesticized following a formal hearing relating to the events that had transpired, stating that she wanted to "forget the taste".

[By the time the Under-froggians had made their break of containment, the Serpent's Hand had already become aware of the situation. Several Serpent's Hand agents arrived on site to find the showdown between Mihelle and Martin. Using their magic, they incapacitated Michelle and altered her memories to keep the Foundation off their trail. They then formed an alliance with the Under-Froggians, allowing them a means to relocate to more secluded areas above ground to live their lives and to remain hidden from the Foundation. The Serpent's Hand gave them resources and taught them how to mislead the Foundation, including leaving small contingencies behind in Under-Frogia to mislead them into believing they were still contained. In exchange fopr the help, Martin and several other Under-Froggians promised assistance to the Serpent's Hand's cause of trying to establish peaceful coexistence between benevolent anomalies and humankind.]