Zhantino

Item #: SCP XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP XXXX is to be kept in a standard humanoid containment cell at Site 17 with a D-class personnel assigned to "own" it. Under no circumstances will any entrance into this holding cell be authorized unless it is deemed necessary for the survival of the Foundation. Neither the D-class or SCP XXXX may leave the cell. The price of SCP XXXX is to be recorded once a month, on the 15th of every month at 0300 GMT in terms of USD. SCP XXXX is to never be used to play a game of chess, or any variation of chess, unless authorized for experimentation purposes. In the case of a containment breach, the D-class is to be immediately terminated, as well as SCP XXXX. In the event that SCP XXXX would enter the world market, the Foundation will be authorized to use any amount of lethal force to retrieve or destroy SCP XXXX.

Description: SCP XXXX is a House of Staunton standard wooden chessboard and chess piece set with relatively little wear visible externally. The chessboard measures roughly 5.1cm by 5.1cm. The price of SCP XXXX cannot be determined, as it changes exponentially on a monthly basis.

SCP XXXX has demonstrated the following mind-affecting properties:

  • Humans who maintain visual contact with SCP XXXX will have an urge to claim it as their own personal property.
  • Those laying claim to it will defend their ownership of SCP XXXX at any cost, even willing to kill.
  • Others affected by SCP XXXX but do not have ownership of the object will attempt to purchase the item, even if they do not own sufficient funds.
  • It is unknown if people affected by SCP XXXX will accept a transaction for the ownership of SCP XXXX because no item in the ownership of the Foundation seems to be sufficient.
  • Individuals affected by SCP XXXX will be in constant knowledge of its price without prior notification from other sources. They will able to name the price down to infinite fractions of a cent.
  • Individuals can name the price in units of any currency, cryptocurrency, or commodity.
  • Individuals once affected by SCP XXXX but are no longer affected by it will also forget the price.
  • The price of SCP XXXX is not intrinsic to its make and model, but insisted by those affected by SCP XXXX.

SCP XXXX increases in price every month, specifically at 0300 GMT on the 15th of every month. The following facts have been recorded by researchers experimenting with SCP XXXX:

  • The value of SCP XXXX has never been observed to decrease.
  • Removing any chess piece from SCP XXXX has no effect on the price.
  • Each change of price of SCP XXXX is always greater than the previous.

Besides the mind-affecting properties of SCP XXXX, all testing of its composition and durability have proven that it is not anomalous in any other way. The pieces, if removed from SCP XXXX, are inert, and do not have any anomalous properties within themselves. It is possible to use SCP XXXX to play a standard game of chess, but no such game has ever been completed due to the mind-altering effects. Individuals playing a game of chess on SCP XXXX will attempt to barter with each other using the pieces captured, and eventually will attempt to attack each other, fighting over ownership of SCP XXXX.

Discovery: SCP XXXX was recovered in 2004 by ████████ in Beckley, West Virginia after the Foundation received information about a check cashed into █████ Central Bank written to the order of Mr. ████████ for 9.6 Octillion USD.

Addendum:
Transcript log of interview XXXX-01

INTERVIEW LOG:
Subject: D-9873 (Designated owner of SCP XXXX)
Interviewer: Researcher Lacroix
Time: April 15, 20██, 0259 GMT

[BEGIN LOG]

Lacroix is sitting in a desk with a pair of headphones and microphone attached. D-9873 is inside the holding cell, connected to Lacroix with a microphone and speakers installed in the room.

Lacroix: What is the current value of the object in USD?

D-9873: It’s worth around 87 nonillion dollars right now, I could go into deeper numbers if you want.

Lacroix scribbles the number on his notepad and looks at his clock, the current time, 2:59: 47 GMT.

Lacroix: That won’t be necessary sir, please notify me when the price changes.

Lacroix looks at the clock, which just turned 3:00 am.

D-9873: The price is now 3 hundred decillion USD.

Lacroix adds the new number to his notepad.

Lacroix: Thank you sir, that is all for today

[END LOG]

Addendum: 5/15/2018

SCP XXXX has now passed the equivalent of one googolplex USD in value. All further recordings of price of SCP XXXX will now be written in scientific notation. If the value of SCP XXXX increases beyond reasonable usage of scientific notation, arrow notation may be used.