Per 
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: A wire-mesh fence is to be maintained around the perimeter of ███████████ mountain, Germany, the location of SCP-XXXX. A group of three (3) security personnel and one (1) technician are to be on site at all times. Security personnel is to be tasked with checking surveillance footage of the fence for breaches and footage of the mineshafts for SCP-XXXX activity, detaining individuals trying to breach in, and turning vehicles not affiliated with the Foundation away from the site. The technician is to be tasked with repairing breaches in the fence and maintaining the surveillance cameras around the perimeter and within the mineshafts. Proactively trying to contact SCP-XXXX is prohibited to guarantee the self-determination of their species. Should SCP-XXXX be spotted on security footage, Area ██ is to be contacted and the execution of Protocol XXXX-a ("Sticky Fingers") prepared immediately. Roads leading up to the site are to be blocked using conventional, wooden gates.
Description: SCP-XXXX are sapient humanoid molluscoids, believed to be related to modern forms of snails and slugs. Standing at about two (2) meters tall, the phallus-shaped creatures move on one foot, similiar to known forms of gastropods. Their lampshade-shaped heads appear to be a upended tubular body and do not contain any visual organs. An orifice can be found at the top of their heads, most probably to consume slime mold off cave walls, which appears to be their primary source of nourishment. A pair of upper extremities are attatched directly below their heads, resembling human arms, although shoulders are non-existent. Their arms end in smaller "feet" and are lined with flagella like every other limb, including the edge of their heads. They are light-blue in hue, most likely due to a completely subterranean life cycle. Their entire bodies display a pattern of tiny ridges running across the length of their bodies which grow denser towards the central orifice. A dotted pattern can be found on the back sides of their upper extremities. Hundreds of glands cover the creatures with mucus for moisture, whilst suprapedal glands guarantee almost frictionless motion. Although the level of intelligence of SCP-XXXX is estimated to match humans, it is unclear how individual specimen communicate as of yet. Insights gained into the anatomy of SCP-XXXX confirm more connections to modern gastropods, including the lack of a central brain, simple internal anatomy and hermaphroditic reproductory organs.
SCP-XXXX sightings date back to the mid-1800s, although the observers were unaware of the true nature of what they saw. Local coal miners repeatedly reported spotting their patron saint, Saint Barbara, wandering through the mineshafts by herself and leaving trails of tears. The miners described the entity to be dressed in long, white robes and to glide over the floor motionlessly. These tales spread to the neighbouring villages and shrines revering Saint Barbara were installed in the mines.
On ██/██/190█, a SCP-XXXX specimen was sighted wandering around close to the entry of the mine. The miners approached the entity to greet their patron saint, upon closer inspection, however, they soon noticed the entity to be inhuman in nature. The specimen did not display any aggressive tendencies and reportedly shook a foreman's hand after other miners demonstrated the greeting. Although some miners wanted to detain the creature, the foreman concluded that it would be best not to anger the unknown creature and let it return to the mines peacefully. News of strange molluscoids living in mineshafts spread across the German Empire, the nation with the highest scientific output at the time, which led to interest groups flocking to the sites to take probes of the mucus trails found in the mines. Foundation personnel first learned of paranormal sightings on ███████████ mountain during this period.
The second confirmed sighting of SCP-XXXX and so far the last up to date was the body of a dead specimen found lying at the entrance of the mine on ██/██/191█. The cadaver was seized by German biologists and later confiscated by Foundation personnel, including all research logs connected to the specimen. Mild amnestics were administered to all involved individuals, including all employees of the mine and the miners employed during the first confirmed sighing a few years prior. Wide-spread use of amnestics was deemed unneccessary as the tale quickly obscured back to the rumor of the spirit of Saint Barbara roaming the mines of ███████████ mountain.
Current theories as to the nature of SCP-XXXX mostly agree that they belong to a species that gained sapience during the Cambrian period, about 541-585.4 million years ago. Although highly intelligent, their impractical limbs prevented rapid technological development. The most popular theory states that SCP-XXXX retreated into ███████████ mountain to escape an ice age their species could not have survived above ground. How many specimen on SCP-XXXX still live under the mountains is currently unknown, although their population is most likely stagnant due to slow reproductive cycles and lifespans estimated to reach up to two hundred (200) years. It is probable that SCP-XXXX do not desire to leave their refuge as they are evolutionary not adapted to the current planetary environment. Alternatively, SCP-XXXX might have accepted their role as an evolutionary inferior species by comparing levels of technological development.
After the discovery of the cadaver, the Foundation systematically acquired the lands surrounding the mine and rapidly phased out mining in the area to protect the habitat of SCP-XXXX. If and where the old mines intersected with SCP-XXXX habitat is unknown. Surface-based attempts at ultrasonic cave mapping have yielded inconclusive results as to the position and size of the cave system inhabited by SCP-XXXX. Should SCP-XXXX specimen try to establish contact with Foundation personnel, a contact point is to be established at the entrance of the mine, an environment friendly to the species. Potential SCP-XXXX emissaries are to be treated with respect as they do not pose an immediate threat. The probability of SCP-XXXX emergence, however, is extremely low.
