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SCP-XXXX

Object class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be contained in a standard Foundation lockbox. SCP-XXXX-1 is to be granted access to SCP-XXXX and a testing room equipped with an incinerator at scheduled 12-day intervals, along with 1 live chicken, 2 unscented candles, and 150ml of red table wine (See Addendum XXXX-A). Should SCP-XXXX-1 request access to SCP-XXXX and ritual materials at any other time, the request will be provisionally granted, providing SCP-XXXX-1 remains cooperative with the research program. Research access to SCP-XXXX is limited to personnel with a complete sequenced genome on file, who are confirmed to possess the appropriate genetic marker. SCP-XXXX may only be handled in the presence of SCP-XXXX-1 and with the latter’s express consent (See Addendum XXXX-B).

SCP-XXXX-1 is to be kept in a standard humanoid containment cell equipped with full amenities. SCP-XXXX-1 has been deemed non-threatening and has been granted limited run of the site facilities, including cafeteria and recreation areas, in exchange for cooperation with research efforts into SCP-XXXX.

No containment procedures have been specified for SCP-XXXX-2. In the event that a method of detecting and securing SCP-XXXX-2 is developed, containment procedures will be reevaluated.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a manuscript codex measuring 34cm x 19cm x 5cm. The binding is composed of wood and leather encased on all sides with a metal border 3cm wide. The pages are vellum parchment dated to the mid 16th century, containing text in an unknown, but apparently Semitic, language. The metal borders are composed of a copper/[REDACTED] alloy, untarnished due to regular care by SCP-XXXX-1. The book is attached by a fine chain to a small metal stylus, the tip of which is sculpted in the shape of a human hand with index finger extended. The stylus and chain are of the same metal as the border. The metal has defied all methods of dating, but SCP-XXXX-1 claims it to date to the [REDACTED] millennium B.C.E. The metal fixtures are the only original components, as the pages and binding have been copied and replaced multiple times in the object’s history.

SCP-XXXX has several anomalous properties. Foundation staff who have handled SCP-XXXX report that contact with any metal component produced an unpleasant sensation similar to a mild electrical shock. Despite the weak sensation, subjects exhibited a tremendous reluctance to handle SCP-XXXX again. No power source has been detected. Although the alloy is non-magnetic, SCP-XXXX has proven impossible to open by any subject except SCP-XXXX-1. Of the [REDACTED] staff who handled SCP-XXXX, only 4 did not report the unpleasant sensation. After consultation with SCP-XXXX-1, staff compared the genomes on file for the 4 researchers and found that they all shared genetic marker [REDACTED], connected with certain ethnic groups originating in the Levant and Syria. SCP-XXXX-1 has taken a powerful liking to these 4 researchers and frequently refers to them as “dear cousins.”

Note: SCP-XXXX-1 has been warned against attempting to proselytize Foundation personnel.

SCP-XXXX-1 describes SCP-XXXX as a book of hymns, prayers, and rituals pertaining to the cult of a god called Belyat (SCP-XXXX-2). Rituals contained in SCP-XXXX have demonstrated a surprising effectiveness when performed by SCP-XXXX-1 and accompanied by a suitable live animal sacrifice. So far, SCP-XXXX has displayed many promising applications in the curing of diseases, the manipulation of weather, and the multiplication of foodstuffs. SCP-XXXX has proved extraordinarily effective at curing non-anomalous diseases in individual subjects and groups. When tested against SCP-related diseases, the effectiveness of SCP-XXXX is mixed and seems highly dependent on the nature and origin of the anomaly. See Research Log XXXX for successful experiments conducted with the use of SCP-XXXX.

SCP-XXXX-1 is able to trigger the anomalous effects of SCP-XXXX by reading from it with the aid of the stylus. First, SCP-XXXX-1 will request any necessary ritual materials. Preparation of non-sacrificial materials varies. When SCP-XXXX-1 holds the stylus and applies it to any page, he will enter a trance state and begin to chant as he follows the text with the stylus. When the recitation is complete, SCP-XXXX-1 will exit the trance state, proceed to slaughter the provided animal by cutting of the throat, and then deposit it into the incinerator. SCP-XXXX-1 maintains that the animal may be burnt by any means, as long as the carcass is completely consumed. The effect of the ritual generally commences when the sacrifice is approximately halfway consumed and can take between 1 and 48 hours to conclude.

The effectiveness of SCP-XXXX events depends largely on the size of the animal offered as sacrifice. For instance, a larger animal is required to cure more virulent or lethal diseases, or to cure minor diseases in large groups. Animals tested so far include rat, chicken, goat, sheep, and cow. When research personnel suggested testing with D-class personnel, SCP-XXXX-1 became agitated and insisted it was “completely unnecessary,” that “we don’t do that kind of thing anymore,” and “in any case, He couldn’t handle it now.” When pressed to clarify, SCP-XXXX-1 claimed that SCP-XXXX-2’s power had waned considerably in recent centuries due to the lack of worshipers, and that it was not capable of fulfilling any rituals powerful enough to require a human sacrifice. Nevertheless, SCP-XXXX-1 has been heard to remark on multiple occasions that the research program "has been really good for Him,” and that SCP-XXXX-2's power has been slowly but steadily increasing. Research personnel are hopeful that the prospect of testing SCP-XXXX with D-class personnel may be reevaluated at a future date.

SCP-XXXX-1 is a male human, approximately 60 years of age, height 167cm, weight 70kg, with brown eyes, grey hair and beard, and dark olive complexion. Disposition generally amiable. He refers to himself as Haaron Levis, and claims to be the high priest and last surviving worshiper of SCP-XXXX-2. When apprehended by Foundation personnel, he put up no resistance, and has so far seemed highly satisfied with his accommodations. He has been highly cooperative with research into SCP-XXXX, and in fact seems to relish the Foundation’s interest in SCP-XXXX and SCP-XXXX-2.

SCP-XXXX-2 is a hypothetical entity that SCP-XXXX-1 refers to as Belyat the Provider. Although it has so far proved impossible to detect or communicate with SCP-XXXX-2 by any instruments currently at the Foundation’s disposal, SCP-XXXX-1 insists that it is the sole source of SCP-XXXX’s anomalous properties. SCP-XXXX-2 is generally benevolent, but occasionally spiteful and highly protective of SCP-XXXX and SCP-XXXX-1.

Discovery Report: SCP-XXXX-1 was retrieved by Foundation personnel from the holding cells of the Malibu, CA, Police Department after his arrest for vagrancy and animal cruelty. SCP-XXXX-1 came to the attention of the Foundation’s Social Media team when a clip called “Old man kills and cooks a bird on the beach” was posted to the video aggregator site liveleak.com. In the clip, two youths, whose faces are not visible, observe from a low cliff overlooking [REDACTED] Beach as SCP-XXXX-1 can be seen sitting in the sand below next to a makeshift bonfire. SCP-XXXX-1 remains motionless for 34s as a flock of seagulls congregates nearby. With a swift motion, SCP-XXXX-1 captures one of the nearest seagulls with a snare apparently hidden in the sand. SCP-XXXX-1 can then be seen to read briefly from SCP-XXXX before cutting the bird’s neck and placing it ceremoniously on the bonfire. SCP-XXXX-1 then sits motionless for 1m30s as the youths can be heard commenting on the events with great animation until the video concludes. The Foundation personnel who located the video observed that storm clouds on the horizon could be seen to dissipate after the ritual commenced.

Addendum XXXX-A: Upon intake, SCP-XXXX and SCP-XXXX-1 were separated for research and interrogation. After 7 days, SCP-XXXX-1 began to grow agitated, claiming that the Day of Savaas was approaching and that the necessary ritual must be performed every 12 days. SCP-XXXX-1 describes Savaas as a biweekly holy day comparable to the Jewish or Christian Sabbath. Starting at the hour 1200 on the 9th day after intake, his request having been denied, the following anomalous events transpired:

• Perishable food in all break room refrigerators began to spoil.
• All water fixtures on site began to overflow, flooding the facilities with .5cm of water.
• Site cafeteria became infested with flies.
• A spontaneous outbreak of lice was detected among all female site personnel.
• All personnel directly involved in the apprehension of SCP-XXXX and SCP-XXXX-1 reported painful symptoms of venereal disease.
• Soft drinks and brewed coffee in all site break rooms was replaced with a combination of feces and urine. Coffee grounds still in packaging was unaffected.
• A small hailstorm manifested above the site parking lot, damaging the cars of several senior personnel.
• All insectoid SCPs in containment began to multiply rapidly.

SCP-XXXX-1 was permitted to access SCP-XXXX after 5 hours and the anomalies immediately ceased, although the effects were not reversed. No similar anomalous events have occurred since SCP-XXXX-1 was granted regular access.

Note: Request for reimbursement for autobody repair granted. Request for replacement of break room coffee machines still pending.

Addendum XXXX-B: All personnel who attempt to handle SCP-XXXX when SCP-XXXX-1 is not present and consenting report the appearance of painful boils on the face and hands the following morning. This effect also extends to those possessing genetic marker [REDACTED], who do not suffer the other anomalous effect of SCP-XXXX. With no intervention, the boils healed naturally between 24 and 48 hours later.

This anomalous effect was approved for testing with SCP-500. D-class personnel D-XXX was instructed to handle SCP-XXXX for 30s and then replace it in its lockbox. He was then returned to his cell for observation. Boils began to appear on the subject's skin at the hour of 0550, corresponding to the precise moment of sunrise. Upon application of SCP-500, the boils were healed instantaneously, but returned the following morning, now reaching up to the subject’s elbow and down to the subject’s upper chest. After a second application of SCP-500, the boils again returned the following morning, now much larger and covering the subject’s entire upper body. After a third application of SCP-500, the subject awoke in considerable pain, covered in oozing sores from head to foot. SCP-XXXX-1 suggested that further applications of SCP-500 could prove fatal, as SCP-XXXX-2 "did not appreciate [the Foundation's] meddling," and that the affliction should be allowed to run its course. Within 72 hours, the sores had completely vanished, leaving no scars or permanent effects.

Research Log XXXX For future testing against anomalous SCP-related diseases and other phenomena.