Per 
Item #: SCP-5184
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5184 is located in a reinforced concrete cell measuring 3.0m x 3.0m x 3.0m. Access is permitted to any personnel with level 1 clearance. No metal items or electronic equipment may enter the cell.
Description: SCP-5184 is a smooth metallic tube, with a height of 0.412m (when inactive), 2.14m (when active), an outer diameter of 1.42m and an inner diameter of 1.24m. The object has a mass of 1220kg when inactive. The tube’s active mass has been estimated at approximately 6300kg. Two opposing 12 degree segments of the tube’s inner wall are anomalously magnetised such that the flux from one crosses the space inside the tube to the other. The tube’s base rests on the floor of the cell when inactive.
When a single user steps into the tube it becomes “active”. The tube walls extend upwards while the base lifts approximately 1cm off the ground. Neither the mechanism by which the tube extends, nor the means by which it levitates have been found. When active, straight, shallow depressions appear across the outside of the tube, subdividing the surface into 576 equal squares of side length 12.9cm. As yet, only 4 of these squares have been successfully “lit” (see Experiment Logs). When the tube reaches its full height it begins to rotate about its azimuthal axis. A changing sequence of markings, corresponding to the digits of a base-12 number system, are observed by the user on the inner wall of the tube. The markings are described as being like “flashes/bands of purple/violet light”. The sensation of “feeling heavy” has also been reported.
During its active state the tube’s rotation accelerates from 0 rpm to approximately 140 rpm before rapidly decelerating. As the tube comes to rest users describe feeling a compulsion to provide SCP-5184 with “an answer”. A broad portion of the inner wall darkens and the user may submit an answer by tracing markings on the darkened surface with their finger. As yet, no ill effects of entering an “incorrect” answer have been observed. The three users (Dr Philips, 1; Dr Seagrave, 1; Dr Wey, 2) who have entered a “correct” answer reported feeling an extended period of euphoria (lasting as long at 32 days) which strongly incentivised them, and others, to provide further “correct answers” for SCP-5184.
Addendum:
Experimental Logs: After SCP-5184’s discovery on 20/01/2001, the 12 unique symbols displayed inside were eventually found to be digits of a base-12 (duodecimal) number system. Here, for ease of reading, all symbols have been translated to base-12 digits 0 to B and converted to the familiar base-10 (decimal) system. Once a correct “answer” is given, a square on the object’s outer surface lightens in colour and is said to be “lit”. A new sequence of numbers is then presented. No sequence has yet reoccurred. The difficulty of the problems set by SCP-5184 appears to grow rapidly.
Sequence #: 001
Sequence (Duodecimal): 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B
Sequence (Decimal): 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Date Solved: 23/01/2001
Solved by: Dr Wey
Answer (duodecimal / decimal): 10 / 12
Explanation: Ascending consecutive natural numbers
Notes: Despite the apparent simplicity of SCP-5184’s first sequence, Dr Wey wishes to note that establishing containment and safety procedures, transporting the object, interpreting the markings as digits and successfully inputting an “answer” all took considerable time. Dr Wey’s elation upon entering the correct answer lasted 14 hours.
Sequence #: 002
Sequence (Duodecimal): 1, 4, 9, 14, 21, 30, 41, 54, 69, 84, A1, 100
Sequence (Decimal): 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100, 121, 144
Date Solved: 23/01/2001
Solved by: Dr Seagrave
Answer (Duodecimal / Decimal): 121 / 169
Explanation: Ascending consecutive square numbers
Notes: Seagrave verbally relayed the numbers in the sequence to Wey and Philips as he observed them. All three researchers recognised the sequence before its completion although, in his excitement, Seagrave incorrectly traced the symbol for the digit “2” and had to exit and re-enter SCP-5184 for a second attempt. Seagrave experienced no ill effects from entering an “incorrect” answer. His state of extreme elation lasted for approximately one and a half days.
Sequence #: 003
Sequence (Duodecimal): 23, 194, 1985, 23000, 338707, 5751054, (A98B5809), (1B30B91054), 473663745AB), 1000000000000, (29B77284474711), (87A35144A8A3300)
Sequence (Decimal): 27, 256, 3125, 46656, 823543, 16777216, (387420489), (10000000000), (285311670611), (8916100448256), (302875106592253), (11112006825558000))
Date Solved: 23/01/2001
Solved by: Dr Philips
Answer (Duodecimal / Decimal):
Explanation: (n+3)^(n+3)
Notes: As Seagrave had done previously, Philips attempted to call numbers to her colleagues as she perceived them inside SCP-5184. The increasing rotational speed of SCP-5184 made the task of accurately reading the symbols increasingly difficult and Philips required 4 attempts to obtain the 5th and 6th terms in the sequence. Seagrave and Wey used a database and other software tools to identify the sequence from these terms. After entering the correct answer, and in spite of her jubilation, Philips noted that the creator(s) of SCP-5184 “would not be a good teacher” as the logical start of sequence 003 should be “1” (from n^n) as opposed to “27” (from (n+3)^(n+3)). Philips’s elated state lasted approximately 12 days.
Sequence #: 004
Sequence (Duodecimal): 6, 3, 4, 9, 4, 1, 6, 9, 6, 7, B, 6
Sequence (Decimal): 6, 2, 8, 3, 1, 8, 5, 3, 0, 7, 1, 7
Date Solved: 24/01/2001
Solved by: Dr Wey
Answer (Duodecimal / Decimal): 3 / 9
Explanation: Digits of tau (2 pi)
Notes: Sequence 004, being the digits of a mathematical constant, differed significantly from the three sequences encountered so far. Dr Wey reported “feeling heavy” from when the 2nd term was displayed until the sequence ended. Wey’s extremely elated state lasted approximately 32 days.
Sequence #: 005
Sequence (Duodecimal):
Sequence (Decimal): 1, 14, 144, 1414, 13797, 134801, 1320469, 12968396, ?, ?, ?, ?
Date Solved: unsolved
Solved by: N/A
Answer (Duodecimal / Decimal): ? / ?
Explanation: N/A
Notes: Despite their best efforts, Philips, Seagrave and Wey have been unable to discern a pattern in sequence 005. News of the euphoric state achieved upon solving one of SCP-5184’s problems has spread throughout the Foundation, leading many to attempt to enter solutions or acquire the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th terms. The greater length of the higher terms, in conjunction with SCP-5184’s increasing angular speed make it extremely challenging to read them. The majority of users agree that these higher terms begin with the digit “1” and grow in length by one digit for successive terms.
Comments:
Philips commented on 28/02/2001:
“I think we can safely assume that these problems are going to get harder and harder. I dread to think what problem 576 will be! The incentive for solving these problems may be strong but I would advise caution. Robin [Dr Wey] has solved two of these things now. The high he experienced after number 4 was… unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve felt that high myself. It was electrifying. And the fact it lasted so long, with no real come down… that’s kind of scary to me. Like, if someone gave me the answer to number 5 I think I’d fight my way to get to SCP-5184 first. But I know I can keep things in perspective. There are other projects here that, if I’m honest, I’m more interested in. I think Robin is beginning to show signs of obsession though. I worry that it’s becoming an addiction for him. Did you realise he spends every night in that room with it now?”
