Item #: SCP-2518
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: A 457-meter perimeter fence patrolled by a squad of Foundation security officers is to surround the entrance of SCP-2518-A under the pretense of being a protected nature reserve. Diplomatic relations with SCP-2518-C are to be handled by the Paropamisus Research Team, who are stationed at a compound near SCP-2518-A's entrance. In the event of an invasion by SCP-2518-C, a division of MTF-Zeta-9 ("Mole Rats") has been charged with securing and defending SCP-2518-A.
Description: SCP-2518-A is a gorge located in the Hindu Kush of northern Pakistan. It is only visible at ground level, as aerial imaging from heights greater than 610 meters shows foothills where SCP-2518-A should be. SCP-2518-A is only accessible from its western end; approaching SCP-2518-A from any non-westerly direction reveals only the foothills that aerial photos depict. Despite the height of the surrounding mountains, the bottom of SCP-2518-A is very low and at constantly warmer temperatures than the environment, even in winter.
When traveled, SCP-2518-A serves as passage to a pocket universe, designated SCP-2518-B. SCP-2518-B consists of a single continent and several archipelagoes. No lands beyond this continent and its general area are known to exist with any certainty; such travel has been discouraged by SCP-2518-C. The biota of SCP-2518-B is largely the same as that of Holocene Eurasia.
SCP-2518-C are the sapient inhabitants of SCP-2518-B. They are physiologically identical to humans in all regards except size, 8.6 meters being the average height. Autopsies conducted on SCP-2518-C specimens have revealed the skeletons to be much more calcified than those of humans, but there are no other detectable internal differences. SCP-2518-C claim lifespans of up to nine centuries, which has been confirmed via forensic pathologies of the recently deceased. However, due to the slow reproduction rate of SCP-2518-C, only an estimated 850,000 individuals are believed to currently exist.
The technology of SCP-2518-C is similar to that of human civilizations in the Iron Age, though later inventions such as the compass, astrolabe, and telescope are also present. Most SCP-2518-C live agrarian lifestyles, with some exceptions, such as those who engage in the small-scale manufacture and/or bartering of metal and glass goods. SCP-2518-C buildings are created by the excavation of mountains to form interiors, with underground chambers in areas where mountains are smaller or more scarce.
Fifteen nation-states politically constitute SCP-2518-B. Due to the nature of SCP-2518-C's architecture, national borders and capitals tend to be centered around mountain ranges. Most societies of SCP-2518-C are socially egalitarian amongst themselves and outsiders, though warfare between nations sometimes erupts, mostly over resources and border disputes. Visiting Foundation researchers have for the most part been received warmly, though the greater size of SCP-2518-C has occasionally resulted in accidental injuries to some researchers. When asked, SCP-2518-C steadfastly deny any claim of intending to traverse SCP-2518-A themselves. However, archaeological investigation has revealed several SCP-2518-C skeletal remains near the entrance to SCP-2518-A, some carbon-dated to as recently as 1250, indicating that this taboo was not always the case.
Languages spoken by SCP-2518-C are universally agglutinative and consonant-heavy. Foundation linguists have determined all of them to be related, though none are mutually intelligible.1 Attempted reconstructions of the proto-language have indicated a number of similarities to Sumerian, Burushaski, and the language of SCP-1390, though it does not appear to be related to any of them.
Though the various states of SCP-2518-C possess numerous cultural differences, all follow various forms of the same religion, which is strongly monotheistic and similar in ritual to Kabbalistic Judaism. The clergy of SCP-2518-C often demonstrate thaumaturgic abilities, including item multiplication, bilocation, and in some cases the ability to invoke the presence of SCP-2518-D.
SCP-2518-D are male humanoid entities, invariably dressed in white robes, and outwardly identical to humans in all respects, including size. However, they exhibit several anomalous abilities, such as the healing of others' injuries, telekinesis, and [REDACTED].2 SCP-2518-D are highly protective of SCP-2518-C, and will sometimes appear without clerical invocation to defend or help them, such as during natural disasters or in warfare (the latter sometimes in the establishment of peace treaties). Occasionally, they are accompanied by SCP-2518-E, human women dressed identically to their male counterparts, though SCP-2518-E do not possess the abilities of SCP-2518-D. SCP-2518-C treat the visitations of -D and -E with great enthusiasm and reverence, and usually express great sadness to see them leave.
Indigenous and nomadic humans in the immediate area of SCP-2518-A have known of its anomalous nature for much of known history, with mentions and artistic depictions included in the writings, art, and oral traditions of the Harappan, Bactrian, Persian, Hindi, and Pashtun cultures, among many others. SCP-2518's existence became known to the Foundation in 19██ when a division of the British Indian Army discovered a small Pashtun village situated near the entrance to SCP-2518-A. Said village was decorated with a number of large stone carvings unlike any known to exist in the area. When pressed for information, the villagers claimed to have traded the excess of a recent crop surplus in exchange for artwork created by SCP-2518-C, which was believed to bring good luck to its owners. After initial exploration confirmed the anomalous nature of SCP-2518-A, word was discreetly sent to the highest tiers of the British government, whereupon the Foundation took over and established diplomatic relations with the nearest ruling body within SCP-2518-B.

+ SCP-2518 Interview Log

- Close log

SCP-2518 Interview Log

Date: 21/3/19██
Interviewed: SCP-2518-C-128, a priestess of the nearest city to SCP-2518-A.
Interviewer: Dr. Bannerman
Foreword: First formal interview to take place between a Foundation operative and a citizen of SCP-2518-B.
>BEGIN LOG<
SCP-2518-C-128: Welcome, child of Seth.
Dr. Bannerman: Thank you, Khmroz.3 My colleagues and I are here to ask you – what is this place?
SCP-2518-C-128: You are in the city of Ilakhri, of the land of Anakagir, home of the ████████.
Dr. Bannerman: But I thought you were – were–
SCP-2518-C-128: Extinct? The Creator does not always express the same affection for us that he does for you, but he saved us all the same, from both the waters of the Deluge and the arm of the Daeva Empire.4
Dr. Bannerman: Why have you not returned to our world since?
SCP-2518-C-128: We have made various attempts. The Vskvodibaza5 was not always the only link between our worlds.
Dr. Bannerman: Are there other passages?
SCP-2518-C-128: There were once dozens. All of them have been destroyed by the humans on your side.
Dr. Bannerman: Why?
SCP-2518-C-128: Our fight against the Daevas gave them cause to hate us, and their lies about our nature spread to both human and [REDACTED] in time.
Dr. Bannerman: My condolences.
SCP-2518-C-128: The Ighoghiri6 advised us to stay in Anakagir until they told us of a better time to return. It is our impression that our appearance would be upsetting to humans in modern times.
Dr. Bannerman: It would indeed. We strive to protect normalcy, and can confirm that most would fear you for different reasons. I am sorry for any crimes we have committed in the past.
SCP-2518-C-128: I think I speak on behalf of all ████████ when I say that you are forgiven. I must return to my post at the temple now.
Dr. Bannerman: Very well. Thank you for your time.
>END LOG<

Addendum-2518a: On 23/04/1975, Researcher Anna Sutton was seduced by an instance of SCP-2518-D, resulting in her dismissal from Foundation employment. Attempts at retrieving Sutton were made impossible by the actions of her seducer, who threatened violence towards Foundation staff. Whether this relationship was a compulsive effect exerted by the instance or a decision independently made by Sutton in defiance of regulations cannot be ascertained. Sutton was integrated into the population of SCP-2518-E soon afterward and tested positive for pregnancy a week after her dismissal, giving birth to a 6-kilogram son five months later. Several instances of SCP-2518-E assisted in the birth of Sutton's child, who was born via Cesarean section made painless by a naturally-harvested anesthetic. The SCP-2518-D who impregnated Sutton was also present to heal her incisions. A female SCP-2518-C served as the offspring's wet nurse for the duration of the child's infancy. Said child is currently in adulthood and a functioning member of SCP-2518-C society. Sutton and her lover have thus far turned down requests for interviews.
Addendum-2518b: The Paropamisus Research Station suffered significant damage during the October 2015 Hindu Kush earthquake, with seven guards and four researchers among the casualties. Straggling Pashtun individuals intruded on the area, but were forcibly subdued and issued amnestics by available personnel long enough for backup and maintenance crews to arrive. SCP-2518-A itself was relatively undamaged, remaining traversable.

Footnotes
1. Five alphabets and one syllabary serve as the writing systems for these languages.
2. Words spoken by SCP-2518-D are always heard in the native language of the hearer(s).
3. Honorific among SCP-2518-C clergy
4. After the interview, a subfossil Daevite skull was brought to the Earth side of SCP-2518-A, where it was discovered to be incapable of passing through a previously unknown invisible barrier.
5. SCP-2518-C's name for SCP-2518-A
6. SCP-2518-C's name for SCP-2518-D

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