Dead Moth
rating: 0+x

Item #: SCP-3911

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Contained instances of SCP-3911 are to be incinerated in a quarantined Off-Site location unless specified by an individual of level-3 clearance or above. To ensure the complete destruction of all spores, the remains of incinerated instances of SCP-3911 are to be mixed in with concrete and contained in warehouse 127-B. Instances of SCP-3911 that are preserved for testing are to be regarded as a Level-2 Bio-hazard. Medical records and police reports in areas where SCP-3911 has been known to be found are to be monitored for keywords relating to SCP-3911, and a full list of keywords can be found on document 134-F.

Addendum 3911-1: No cross-testing with anomalous organisms or testing with personnel who rank at a █ or higher on the psychic resistance scale are to be carried out under any circumstances.

Description: SCP-3911 is the collective designation for a species of parasitic fungus bearing similarities to organisms in the Neocallimastigomycota phylum. A mature specimen of SCP-3911 consists of a main body portion stored within a host object, and a vast quantity of tendril like growths extending from the main body, capable of rudimentary movement and rapid growth, with an average circumference of one micrometer. The structure of SCP-3911's tendrils mirrors that of its secondary hosts nervous system. Instances of SCP-3911 go through six distinct stages in their life cycle.

During stage 1 instances of SCP-3911 disperse from their parent fungi as spores and seek out a host item. Items that have previously been recorded as serving as host items include glasses, contact-lenses, hearing-aids, nasal strips, and other sensory aids. SCP-3911's methods for identifying host objects are currently unknown. SCP-3911 spores have shown a preference for Ray-Ban brand glasses. SCP-3911's spores also possess rudimentary anomalous movement, and gravitate towards host objects. Instances of SCP-3911 typically expire within 72 hours of dispersal if a host object is not found.

Stage 2 consists of SCP-3911's integration into its host object. The location and size of SCP-3911 during stage 2 is reflective of the host object. For instance, in glasses, SCP-3911 typically consumes and replaces the majority of the inside bulk of the frames with its central body mass and tendrils, but in contact-lenses SCP-3911 has been observed digesting and replacing only a minimal section of the lenses around the edge, as well possessing disproportionately small tendrils. This noticeable size difference does not seem to have a significant effect on the speed or effectiveness of SCP-3911's progress through future steps.

Stages 3 through 6 will not occur unless a human1 being uses SCP-3911's host item in its intended fashion for a period of time exceeding 15 minutes. If this occurs, SCP-3911 will root its tendrils within the body of its secondary host2 and begin assimilating the nervous system. If a human being does not use SCP-3911's host item, SCP-3911 will expire within four days of of completely consuming its host object's interior.

In stage 4 the tendril like structures begin sapping nutrients from the hosts body. Additionally, SCP-3911 will augment the functionality whatever sensory organ the host item is associated with. The means through which this is accomplished are not well understood, but observable alterations in the genome of affected cells have been noted3. Excess nutrients sapped from the host's body are directed to the cells of the sensory organ. Specialized structures typically experience the greatest changes; D-8332's cones and rods gained an increased sensitivity, and notably the ability to detect ultraviolet light. It is theorized that the intended effect of this is that secondary hosts will draw the connection between their increased sensory performance and the host object, and continue the use of the host object as a result. In the scenario that the secondary host does remove the host object, the section of SCP-3911 residing within the host object will split from the tendrils4 and remain inactive until being used by the original individual, where it will reconnect with the tendrils.

From stage 5 and on, SCP-3911 exhibits hazardous anomalous effects. Instances of SCP-3911 that have progressed to stage 5 will begin a systematic shutdown of sensory perception via the nervous system. After stage 5, any attempts to remove SCP-3911's host object will result in a gradual shutdown of all sensory organs within 6 minutes5. These adverse affects can be reversed by recontinuing use of a host object.

Instances of SCP-3911 in stage 6 are considered to be fully matured. During stage 6 instances of SCP-3911 will drain significant amounts of energy from the secondary host's body, and will produce anywhere between 20,000 to 50,000 individual spores. Spores are slowly released over a course of 72 hours. After releasing all of its spores, an instance of SCP-3911 has an approximate 24% percent of perishing. If the instance survives, they will restart stage 6. If the instance expires, the secondary host will have suffer from a complete lack of sensory perception, unless infected by a new instance of SCP-3911. If SCP-3911 is artificially supplemented with extra nutrients, the chances of SCP-3911 perishing drop to approximately 8%.

History: On ███ ███, ████ The Foundation was alerted to several reports of low level psionic phenomena in ███████, Malaysia. After a brief investigation, MTF-███████ was dispatched to acquire the source of the phenomena, the potential GoI [DATA REDACTED]. After a disastrous and mishandled confrontation, the situation eventually escalated into what is now known as Incident-7223, ultimately resulting in over █████████ in damage, 231 civilian casualties, and ██ personnel deaths.

Autopsies later conducted on members of the potential GoI [DATA REDACTED] revealed the first known instances of SCP-3911, and it was initially presumed to be the source of the groups psionic abilities. Immediate efforts were made to locate and collect all instances of SCP-3911.

Eventually, the potential GoI's abandoned base of operations was located, in the ███████ Eyewear factory. The investigation notably yielded 13 people infected with instances of SCP-3911, in various stages of development, as well as documents detailing ████, as well as ████████ in ██████. The following letter was also found.

(Transcribed from Malay) To ███████ ██████████

This truly is a joyous day, for you to have come to your senses! I worry though... if your follower's visions are as accurate as you have bragged, it may be to late. Even the Insurgency is filled with fear at the thought of confronting the Foundation in a head on fight. My contacts have agreed to meet you at the [REDACTED] by the river tonight. Come alone. They'll have good Mr. Tengku with them. Make sure you choose your words when speaking with them; my own followers paid dearly for my attempts at being coy. They still believe that by cutting open Mr. Tengku's head they can learn your methods and awaken the third eye of their own killers. Perhaps they could. But, they still don't know the role your little Erebus has in cutting away the unnecessary to strengthen what remains. That's your only card; and it's hardly a royal flush.

Hopefully we'll talk once more.
[DATA EXPUNGED]