SCP Number: **SCP-8121**
Object Class: **Keter**
**Special Containment Procedures:**
SCP-8121 is stored in Containment Chamber 8121-B at Site-66. The chamber is lined with silver and inscribed with counter-ritual symbols from the Shayoka Tribe's tradition, as silver appears to have a repellent effect on SCP-8121-1. The chamber is monitored by cameras equipped with infrared and motion sensors due to the low visibility of SCP 8121-1.
Access to SCP-8121 is restricted to personnel with Level 4 clearance or higher. Any individual entering the containment chamber must wear gloves made of white sage-infused fabric to reduce the risk of spiritual influence. In the event of unauthorized access or breach, personnel must immediately initiate Protocol "**//Moon's Banishment//**," which involves burning sage and playing recorded traditional chants from the Shayoka tribe.
**Description:**
SCP-8121 is an ancient tomahawk, measuring approximately 45 cm in length. Its handle is made of a sturdy wood believed to be oak, intricately carved with patterns depicting a wolf, moon phases, and hunting scenes. The blade, a sharpened stone likely made of obsidian, is stained with what appears to be dried blood that resists all known cleaning methods. The stains have been identified as a mixture of human and animal blood, dating back to the 17th century.
The anomalous effects of SCP-8121 are triggered when a human subject makes direct contact with the artifact. The subject experiences immediate physiological responses, including a drop in temperature, increased heart rate, and sudden dilation of the pupils. They also report auditory hallucinations, such as growling and whispers in an archaic dialect of the Shayokan language.
The entity attached to the tomahawk, designated SCP-8121-1, manifests as a dark wolf-like figure approximately 2 meters in length, with eyes that glow a deep crimson. SCP-8121-1 appears to be incorporeal but has shown the ability to physically interact with its environment, evidenced by claw marks and deep gashes found on test subjects and containment walls. It exhibits protective and aggressive behavior, often pacing around SCP-8121 and attacking anyone who approaches it with hostile intent.
**Historical Background:**
SCP-8121 was discovered in a cave near the Black Hills, South Dakota, following reports of violent animal attacks and strange sightings by local hikers. A team of Foundation agents investigated the area after locals reported being "watched" by an unseen predator. The artifact was found within a ritual circle, surrounded by skeletal remains arranged in a star pattern. Forensic analysis suggests that these remains belonged to both humans and wolves, indicating a sacrificial ceremony.
Interviews with local tribal elders revealed a legend about a powerful shaman named **Red Moon**, who performed a forbidden ritual to bind the spirit of a wolf guardian to the tomahawk. According to legend, Red Moon intended to use the tomahawk's power to protect his tribe from encroaching settlers. However, the ritual went awry, corrupting the spirit and turning it into a force of vengeance. The tomahawk was buried in the cave as an attempt to seal away its dark power.
**Behavior and Abilities:**
**Influence of SCP-8121-1:** When someone holds SCP-8121, they quickly fall under the influence of SCP-8121-1. The spirit encourages violent, territorial behavior, often leading the subject to attack anyone nearby. The spirit whispers in the mind of the subject, making them believe they are a part of a wolf pack and must protect their territory.
**Manifestation Events:** SCP-8121-1 manifests fully during full moon nights, becoming more aggressive and attempting to breach containment. It howls and scratches at the walls, and containment logs have shown temperature drops of up to 20°C within the chamber during these events.
**Possession Attempts:** SCP-8121-1 can possess individuals who have prolonged contact with the tomahawk. The possessed subject's eyes turn red, and they exhibit increased strength and agility, as well as a heightened sense of smell and hearing, akin to a wolf. Possession typically lasts until the subject is incapacitated or the tomahawk is removed from their grasp.
SCP-8121, known as “**The Spirit of the Wounded Blade**,” has been classified as one of the more volatile artifacts in containment due to its unpredictable effects and the hostility of the entity bound to it.
The following interviews, conducted by Foundation researchers, explore the artifact’s origins, dangers, and the challenges of containment. These conversations highlight the significant risks posed by SCP-8121, not only to individuals handling it but also to the cultural and spiritual balance it disrupts.
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++ SCP-8121: Historical and Cultural Context Interview
**Interviewed:** Dr. Amanda Graves (Cultural Anthropologist)
**Interviewer:** Dr. Malcolm Hayes (Containment Researcher)
**Date:** ██/██/20██
**Location:** Site-██ Interview Room
**Foreword:**
This interview with Dr. Amanda Graves explores SCP-8121's historical and spiritual significance, shedding light on its origins and dangers. Her insights provide crucial context following the discovery of its anomalous properties, with a focus on its spiritual ties and cultural relevance.
[[/div]]
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**Dr. Hayes:** Dr. Graves, thank you for joining me. Can you provide an overview of what we know about SCP-8121’s cultural background?
**Dr. Graves:** Of course. SCP-8121 was likely created by the Shayoka tribe, known for their deeply spiritual practices. Its design and materials suggest it was more than just a weapon—it was a sacred object, used in rituals to invoke protection or retribution. Over time, however, the artifact appears to have taken on a darker role, likely tied to violent conflict during the colonial era.
**Dr. Hayes:** So, the artifact wasn’t anomalous from the start?
**Dr. Graves:** Correct. Artifacts like this often gain spiritual or anomalous properties through significant emotional or spiritual events. In this case, it seems SCP-8121 absorbed the pain and rage of those who wielded it in battle. The attached entity may be a manifestation of that collective trauma.
**Dr. Hayes:** That’s fascinating—and deeply unsettling. What can you tell us about the spirit itself?
**Dr. Graves:** Based on tribal accounts and our observations, the entity resembles a guardian spirit twisted by vengeance. Normally, such spirits are protectors of their people, but something corrupted this one. Its aggression and hostility suggest it was bound to the tomahawk as a weapon of retribution, possibly during a massacre or a desperate last stand.
**Dr. Hayes:** Could its behavior be influenced by the artifact's current environment?
**Dr. Graves:** Absolutely. The entity appears to feed on negative energy—fear, anger, pain. The sterile and clinical nature of containment might actually agitate it further, as it lacks the spiritual context and respect that such artifacts require.
**Dr. Hayes:** What are the dangers of continuing to study SCP-8121 without addressing its cultural and spiritual origins?
**Dr. Graves:** If we fail to approach this artifact with cultural sensitivity, we risk exacerbating its anomalous properties. The spirit seems to react violently to disrespect or ignorance. Without proper spiritual safeguards, containment breaches or psychological damage among staff are inevitable.
[[/div]]
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***Closing Statement:***
Dr. Graves' insights emphasize the importance of understanding SCP-8121 within its cultural and spiritual framework. Her analysis highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to containment, integrating historical knowledge and spiritual practices to mitigate the artifact’s volatile nature.
[[/div]]
**Addendum 8121-A: Initial Containment Incident:**
During its initial recovery, Agent Rice attempted to handle SCP-8121 without proper protective gear. SCP-8121-1 manifested and attacked the retrieval team, resulting in the deaths of two agents. Agent Rice was found later, covered in deep claw marks but still clutching the tomahawk. He repeatedly muttered the phrase, "//**I am the alpha; I protect the pack**//," in a trance-like state. After the tomahawk was removed, Agent Rice regained consciousness but could not recall the incident.
**Addendum 8121-B: Testing Log:**
Test 8121-07
Subject: **D-9327**
**Procedure:** D-9327 was instructed to hold SCP-8121 while a traditional cleansing ritual was performed by a Native American shaman.
**Results:**
Upon contact, the subject immediately exhibited signs of distress and aggression. SCP-8121-1 manifested, growling and pacing around the room. The shaman's chanting seemed to weaken the spirit's visibility but did not fully banish it. The subject dropped the tomahawk after 5 minutes, collapsing from exhaustion. Follow-up interviews revealed that D-9327 experienced vivid hallucinations of hunting in a forest, feeling "//**the thrill of the chase.**//"
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++ SCP-8121: Paranormal Manifestations Interview
**Interviewed:** Dr. Elias Trent (Paranormal Research Specialist)
**Interviewer:** Dr. Malcolm Hayes (Containment Researcher)
**Date:** ██/██/20██
**Location:** Site-██ Observation Chamber
**Foreword:**
This interview with Dr. Elias Trent examines the dangers of interacting with SCP-8121 during testing. His account highlights the artifact's unpredictable manifestations and its psychological effects on personnel, offering critical information for refining containment protocols.
[[/div]]
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**Dr. Hayes:** Dr. Trent, you’ve been closely involved in testing SCP-8121. Can you describe its most recent manifestation?
**Dr. Trent:** Certainly. During the last test, the entity fully manifested after a researcher held SCP-8121 for an extended period. It took the form of a wolf-like creature, composed of swirling shadow and mist. Its eyes glowed faintly, and the room's temperature dropped drastically—about 10°C within seconds.
**Dr. Hayes:** Was its behavior consistent with prior manifestations?
**Dr. Trent:** Not entirely. This time, it appeared far more focused. It circled the researcher, almost like it was studying them, before lunging. The physical interaction caused no external injuries, but the researcher collapsed immediately and reported vivid hallucinations of fire and screams.
**Dr. Hayes:** What do you believe triggers such intense reactions?
**Dr. Trent:** It seems to target individuals based on emotional vulnerability. Those harboring guilt, fear, or unresolved trauma are particularly at risk. The entity doesn't just react—it actively amplifies those emotions, weaponizing them against its target.
**Dr. Hayes:** Were there any long-term effects on the affected researcher?
**Dr. Trent:** Unfortunately, yes. The individual has shown signs of acute paranoia and recurring nightmares, all centered around the artifact. They’ve also reported hearing whispers in an unknown language when near the containment chamber.
**Dr. Hayes:** How do you recommend we address these psychological effects moving forward?
**Dr. Trent:** We need to implement stricter psychological screenings for personnel interacting with SCP-8121. Additionally, spiritual consultants should be present during testing to mitigate its effects and possibly appease the entity. Ignoring its spiritual nature will only lead to more incidents.
**Dr. Hayes:** Is there any possibility of neutralizing the spirit entirely?
**Dr. Trent:** That’s highly unlikely. The spirit’s bond with SCP-8121 is deeply rooted, possibly permanent. The best we can do is manage its behavior through a combination of scientific and spiritual approaches.
[[/div]]
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***Closing Statement:***
Dr. Trent’s detailed account underscores the severe risks associated with SCP-8121. His recommendations highlight the need for comprehensive containment strategies that address the artifact’s spiritual and psychological impact on personnel.
[[/div]]
**The following details a specific incident within the containment facility**
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++ SCP-8121: Containment Breach Interview
**Interviewed:** Agent Rachel Steele [[footnote]] Field Containment Specialist [[/footnote]]
**Interviewer:** Dr. Elias Trent [[footnote]] Paranormal Research Specialist [[/footnote]]
**Date:** ██/██/20██
**Location:** Site-██ Interview Room
**Foreword:**
Following a containment breach of SCP-8121, the spirit entity attached to the artifact manifested in a spectral wolf-like form and escaped Site-██. This interview documents the events of the breach and the coordinated efforts to recapture the entity.
[[/div]]
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**Dr. Trent:** Agent Steele, can you describe the events leading to SCP-8121's containment breach?
**Agent Steele:** The breach occurred at 0200 hours. An unplanned surge in Site-██'s electromagnetic systems caused a temporary disruption in SCP-8121’s containment chamber. Within seconds, the entity manifested in its wolf form and escaped containment. It phased through physical barriers before on-site security could respond.
**Dr. Trent:** What actions did the entity take once it escaped?
**Agent Steele:** It exhibited aggressive, predatory behavior. Initial sightings indicated it targeted personnel who had interacted with SCP-8121, specifically those involved in recent experiments. Witness reports describe an ethereal wolf shrouded in shadow, with glowing eyes and an intense aura of cold. It left traces of a dark mist in its wake.
[[/div]]
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**Dr. Trent:** How was the recapture attempt coordinated?
**Agent Steele:** A specialized containment team was deployed, equipped with spectral-nullifying devices and thermal imaging gear. Indigenous consultants prepped spiritual wards, which were used to seal off potential escape routes. After three hours, we successfully cornered the entity in an unused section of the facility. It attempted to phase through walls, but the wards prevented further movement.
**Dr. Trent:** Were there any casualties during the operation?
**Agent Steele:** Two personnel suffered severe injuries after direct contact with the entity. Both are recovering but have reported recurring nightmares and hallucinations of a battlefield. It’s clear the entity’s aggression stems from the artifact's historical trauma.
[[/div]]
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**Dr. Trent:** What steps are being taken to ensure containment stability going forward?
**Agent Steele:** The artifact is being relocated to a reinforced containment chamber at Site-███. Additional layers of spiritual wards and Faraday shielding will be implemented. Furthermore, personnel interacting with SCP-8121 will now undergo strict psychological evaluations and cultural sensitivity training.
**Dr. Trent:** Thank you, Agent Steele. Your quick response undoubtedly prevented further damage.
[[/div]]
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***Closing Statement:***
Agent Steele’s detailed account emphasizes the critical need for enhanced containment measures for SCP-8121. The breach demonstrates the entity's hostility and its connection to the artifact's spiritual origins, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for future interactions.
[[/div]]
**Conclusion:**
Research into SCP-8121's origins and potential methods for neutralizing SCP-8121-1 is ongoing. Efforts are being made to contact descendants of the Shayoka tribe for further information on rituals that may pacify or banish the spirit. Current theories suggest that SCP-8121-1's aggressive nature is driven by a corrupted bond, a twisted form of the guardian spirit it once was. Attempts to separate or purify the spirit have been met with resistance, indicating a deep-rooted attachment to the artifact.
