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**Item #:** SCP-XXXX
**Object Class:** Euclid
**Special Containment Procedures:**
Current efforts are primarily focused on the long-term observation and study of SCP-XXXX’s behavior and capabilities in order to establish an effective method of future capture and containment, as well as prevention of regular predation.
A foundation presence dedicated to research of SCP-XXXX is being maintained in Algonquin Provincial Park under the guise of a joint task force between the Algonquin Park Wildlife Conservation Unit working in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. This unit, comprised of Foundation personnel undercover as park rangers is tasked with assessing and investigating all reported disappearances and unexplained phenomena within the park which may be associated with SCP-XXXX
Personnel assigned to this task force are briefed on the presence and abilities of SCP-XXXX. Civilian groups planning extended trips into areas of the park known to be frequented by SCP-XXXX are to be surveilled for signs of anomalous interference. Standard operating procedure dictates a soft approach: In the event of suspected SCP-XXXX predation, agents are to observe from a distance and avoid direct confrontation. If predation escalates, a reason for evacuation must be manufactured [landslides, incoming severe weather, fire bans] under which pretense can be made for evacuating targeted individuals. Use of incendiary munitions is strictly prohibited due to the risk of wildfire, unless their use is as a last resort to prevent a mass casualty event.
**Description:**
SCP-XXXX is an anomalous entity that typically manifests as a young bull moose (Alces alces). At a distance it appears normal, but upon closer inspection, its cranial area, face, and upper neck exhibit a severe integumentary anomaly. The afflicted areas are mostly absent of hair and the skin is covered in large clusters of tightly packed protuberances resembling a massive tick infestation.
SCP-XXXX exhibits highly intelligent and predatory behavior, primarily targeting human "portage groups" - individuals or teams traveling through the park by canoe. Initial encounters are subtle and non-physical. SCP-XXXX will shadow a target group and utilize its abilities to cause minor inconveniences and mishaps, such as misplaced gear, navigational errors, or time dilation. This "soft kill" approach is intended to cause fatigue, psychological stress, and desperation within the group, making them more vulnerable.
Once a target group has become sufficiently weakened or isolated, SCP-XXXX will begin to manifest physically, at which point the group is usually vulnerable enough that agency interference becomes necessary to ensure their safe removal from the park area.
Anomalous Properties:
Malaise-Inducing Distortion Field: SCP-XXXX appears to be able to generate a localized cognito-distortion field capable of causing those within to experience cognitive and temporal distortions. Affected individuals report time loss, inability to accomplish mundane tasks, and pervasive headaches/feelings of physical malaise.
Communications interference: SCP-XXXX is capable of intercepting radio communications through an unknown mechanism. Whether this is done through radio transmission or hallucinogenic means is currently unknown. It also possesses a limited capacity to jam or garble radio transmissions for brief periods.
Localized reality manipulation: When cornered or under duress, SCP-XXXX can rapidly manipulate local reality to an undetermined extent. Observed effects include equipment malfunctions and and the induction of confusion or full scale hallucinations in targeted individuals when under direct threat, though using these abilities seems to exhaust the entity quickly.
Aversion to Fire: SCP-XXXX exhibits a strong aversion to fire or high heat, exposure to which in the form of fire, flares, or incendiary devices, causes the entity to flee immediately. It is believed SCP-XXXX is unwilling to approach campfires for this reason, and lighters or other fire starting equipment often seem to fail or be misplaced shortly before SCP-XXXX manifests to its prey.
**Discovery:**
Foundation involvement began when, late in the season in 2022, reports of groups going missing in Algonquin park began to spike. Various gear would be found floating down river, and campsites would be found in disarray with no sign of the inhabitants. No bodies would be recovered. These disappearances were attributed by park locals to the "Algonquin Deezer," a local folktale blamed for mishaps occurring on trips through the park. This frequently repeated story, combined with a journal recovered from one of the abandoned campsites, prompted a formal investigation. The most pertinent journal entry is as follows:
Excerpt from Journal of [DATA EXPUNGED] August 21st, 2022
It took us forever to hang the food barrels last night, and I am ****ing exhausted… We just could not get the rope up the tree! That moron Roland tried to use a rock as a weight, and it came down and hit Will on the shoulder. Not sure if he will be able to paddle for a while… We’re already falling behind.
I saw a strange looking Moose today. We were excited to see one at first, but then I noticed head through the reeds. I’m not sure if I was just seeing things, but it was definitely… strange. Its face was lumpy and hairless, and it looked kinda gaunt. It stared at us pretty intently, like it was sizing us up, it felt super uncomfortable. It just stood there and stared. Andy tried to take a photo with his camera, but he dropped it in the water. Not sure how we’re going to get enough firewood tonight, as some goober seems to have left our folding saw at the previous campsite. This trip is a disaster, but we should be nearing the end. Whatever man, it's just some absolute garbage. We just can’t catch a god damned break. I’m trying to sleep, but all I see is its face. I dunno, it's just stuck in my head.
Interviews: Dr. Ryer began interviewing locals regarding stories of a so-called “Gonqi Deezer” which often seemed to be blamed for mishaps, missing gear, or other difficulties encountered by travellers in Algonquin Park. This seems to be a private joke among experienced portagers. An excerpt from one interview went as follows:
Respondent: “Yeah… you always gotta be ready for some bull**** from the Deezer. [Chuckles]”
Dr. Ryer: “Is that so? What happens if you encounter it?”
Respondent: “Ah, it's just a bit of an in joke, you know? A stand-in for things you didn’t think of or like… absentmindedness. Always triple check you’ve got all your gear, be prepared for setbacks, and respect the park and you’ll be fine. It's guys that come out here thinking it's gonna just be a party in the woods and bite off more than they can chew who find themselves in trouble…”
**Addendum:**
Addendum XXXX.1: Excerpts from Dr. Ryer's Initial Field Report (02-09-2023)
In 2023, Dr. Ryer launched an expedition into Algonquin Park on the Barron River, in an effort to find evidence and discern the traits of the creature that would become known as SCP-XXXX. What follows are some excerpts from his initial expedition:
Day 1: Our expedition has commenced today. I have selected a route along the Barron River. We will pass near the site where the journal was located close to Squirrel Depot. Consultations with locals indicate this should be a straight forward paddle, with some light portages. We have adequate supplies, and research assistant Andrews has experience with other sections of this park. I anticipate a high probability of success in assessing the entity if it does indeed exist.
Day 2: No anomalous activity to report. Our team’s progress is on schedule.
Day 3: Unforeseen logistical difficulties and navigational errors have resulted in progress slower than anticipated. Specialised equipment such as a paddle as well as foodstuffs have gone missing from our inventory. This has resulted in delays which have put us behind our intended schedule. Resupply requisitioned by air from personnel undercover at Petawawa Garrison. We have reached Squirrel Depot, but no sign of anomaly as of yet.
Day 4: Research Assistant Andrews has sustained an injury to his ankle rendering him incapable of walking. Andrews states “the rocks shifted and my leg slid down into a pit of some kind that couldn't have been there before”. Additionally, our primary fire-starting device has run out of fuel, and food supplies have depleted more aggressively than anticipated. The frequency at which we have begun to experience these setbacks has begun to exceed statistical probability. It is possible we are beginning to experience anomalous interference.
Day 5: Visual confirmation of an entity today which is visually consistent with what was described in the journal discovered at Squirrel Depot. Feelings of physical malaise and mental fatigue reported globally by the team. There was significant difficulty establishing radio contact with command, and we were unable to obtain resupply before the cutoff time. I feel as though we have ascertained a firm grasp of the entity’s capabilities, and its anomalous effects seem to be restricted to posing a nuisance to a well prepared group. Support from personnel located at Petawawa Garrison renders us unassailable in this regard.
Day 6: The entity made an attempt to breach our campsite perimeter last night. A cooking water spill occurred close to our campfire, dousing it. Almost immediately, the entity manifested on the edge of our camp, and began approaching slowly. I deployed a flare which was located near to me, which seemed to have startled it immensely. It began to emit a deep vocalization, and retreated promptly. The vocalization resulted in the appearance of intense migraines in many team members. Extraction was achieved via helicopter once sufficient light was available. It is unlikely this entity represents a significant threat to a prepared foundation team. Capture and containment procedures to follow.
Addendum XXXX.2: Log of Operation Working Hands
Date: 09 August 2024
Location: Algonquin Provincial Park, Barron River
Mission Objective: Capture SCP-XXXX.
A team of three D-Class personnel was deployed, deliberately underequipped, to serve as bait. MTF Gamma-4 (“Green Stags”) was on standby. D-Class personnel experienced significant difficulties from Day 3 onward, including the loss of two of their three satellite phones. On Day 6, the remaining D-Class personnel made contact, and Gamma-4 deployed to their location. The D-Class team could not be located, and the following comms transcript was logged during the search:
[LOG BEGINS]
0-1 (LT. Lewis): "Movement north treeline. Eyes up."
0-2: "Copy. Looks like a moose... Is that it?"
0-3: "Roger that, Oh-one, moving!"
0-1 (LT. Lewis): "Oh-three, I didn’t say-"
0-4: "Roger Oh-one, firing!"
[Gunfire, shouting, distortion in comms.]
0-4: "Oh-three neutralized."
0-1 (LT. Lewis): "I did not give that order! Team, comms compromised! Pull back 200 meters, form wedge on me!"
0-2: "Say again Oh-one!? You're garbled, what is going on?!"
BODYCAM FOOTAGE: At this point, SCP-XXXX becomes visible on LT. Lewis' bodycam footage, sprinting at Lt. Lewis and 0-2.
0-1 (Lt. Lewis): "Firing!"
BODYCAM FOOTAGE: Both Lt. Lewis and 0-2 attempt to fire their weapons. Lt. Lewis's conventional firearm and 0-2's tranquilizer rifle both jam. SCP-XXXX is seen to stumble, as if under great exertion. 0-1 throws a thermal grenade, igniting a fire. SCP-XXXX is briefly seen fleeing before all footage terminates.
[LOG ENDS]
Mission Result: Gamma-4 suffered two casualties, one of which would be declared dead of their injuries on arrival at the Petawawa Garrison, the other of which would have to spend a prolonged period on psychological recovery leave. All three D-Class personnel are considered lost. SCP-XXXX escaped and remains at large. The use of incendiary weapons resulted in a forest fire, which necessitated a cover up as a natural wildfire.
Addendum XXXX.3: Post-Operation Assessment
Following the failed containment attempt, Dr. Ryer was reprimanded for underestimating the anomaly. He has since been assigned expert personnel and assistance from the Cryptozoology Division. A re-evaluation of SCP-XXXX's threat level is underway by the Foundation's Cryptozoology Division, and preliminary planning for future containment efforts has begun.
Recommendations for subsequent containment efforts include:
Utilizing a larger team and/or Quick Reaction Force outfitted with backup equipment
Developing fire suppression protocols to allow for emergency use of incendiary devices.
Briefing teams on the possibility of facing hallucinations and psychological manipulation.
Development of further protocols as a result of ongoing extensive research into the full capabilities of SCP-XXXX
Addendum XXXX.4: Research Note from Researcher vanHolden (Cryptozoology Division)
“Early genetic analysis of samples collected from the D-Class camp environment indicate the presence of an unclassified organism resembling arachnids of the order Ixodida. Deceased specimens shaken loose from SCP-XXXX during the Operation Working Hands encounter share many features in common with those of the mite order of Parasitiformes, but do not conform to any previously known species. Preliminary research suggests it is highly possible SCP-XXXX serves merely as a host organism rather than the source of the anomaly. This hypothesis would account for the “tick-infested” appearance of SCP-XXXX, as well as its predatory behavior, which is completely out of line with standard Alces Alces behavioral patterns. There is a possibility of the behavior being directed by the infesting anomalous organism rather than the moose itself. Capability of afflicting human targets unknown. Further investigation required.
**Article Note:**
Reclassification of SCP-XXXX pending review by Cryptozoological department.
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