An Encyclopedia

Article Layout: ↑

Below you will find a description and general guide for the layout and structure of SCP Articles, GoI Articles, and any Foundation Documentation.

SCP Articles: ↑

This section contains a description and breakdown of how an article describing an Anomaly that the Foundation has encountered.

Special Containment Procedures (SCP)

Instructions to be followed to keep the Anomaly contained. May be truncated to "S. C. Procedures" or referred to informally as "conprocs".

Description

The section of an SCP article that explains in a clear and concise way what the Anomaly does, and why it is contained. The description can be supplemented by one or more addenda,but you should be able to understand the basic function through the Description alone.

Addendum (Plural: Addenda)

A section of an SCP article that either expands on specific aspects of the Description, shows the progression of information over time, or otherwise provides additional information that does not fit into the Description. Addenda can be posted on the main page or in separate supplement pages, and can include Experiment Logs, Exploration Logs, Incident Reports, or Interviews.

Definitions: ↑

Below you will find a definition of each of the terms used on this site, sorted into their relevant categories.

Containment Classes: ↑

Containment Classes are used to explain how difficult something is to contain.

Safe

Safe-class SCPs are Anomalies that are easily and safely contianed. This is often due to the fact that the Foundation has researched the SCP well enough that contianment does not require significant resources or that the anomalies require a specific and conscious activation or trigger. Clarrifying an SCP as Safe, however, does not mean that handling or activating it does not pose a threat.

Euclid

Euclid-class SCPs are Anomalies that require more resources to contain completely or where containment isn't always reliable. Usually this os because the SCP is insufficiently understood or inherently unpredictable. Euclid is the Object Class wit the greatest scope, and it's usually a safe bet that an SCP will be this class if it doesn't easily fall into any other standart Obkect Classes.

As a note, any SCP that's autonomous or sapient is generally classified as Euclid, due to the inherent unpredictabilitiy of an objec that can act or think on its own.

Keter

Keter-class SPCs are Anomalies that are exceedingly difficult to contain consistently or reliably, with containment procedures often being extensive and complex. The Foundation often can't contain these SCPs well due to not having a solid understanding of the Anomaly, or lacking the technology to properly contain or counter it. A Keter SCP does not mean the SCP is dangerous, just that it is simply very difficult or costly to contain.

Thaumiel

Thaumiel-class SCPs are Anomalies that the Foundation specifically uses to contain other SCPs. Even the mere existence of Thaumiel-class Anomalies is classified at the highest levels of the Foundation, and their locations, function, and current status are known to few Foundation personnel outside of the O5 Council.

Apollyon

Apollyon-class SCPs are Anomalies that cannot be contained, are expected to breach containment imminently, or some other similar scenario. Such Anomalies are usually associated with worl-ending threats or a K-Class Scenario of some kind, and require a massive effort from the Foundation to deal with.

Archon

Archon-class SCPs are Anomalies that could theoretically be contained but are best left uncontained for some reason. Archon SCPs may be a part of consensus reality that is difficult to fully contain, or may have adverse effects if put into containment. These SCPs are not uncontainable - the defining feature of the class is that the Foundation chooses to not put the anomaly into containment.

Argus

Argus-class SCPs are Anomalies currently contained by an organisation other than the Foundation. Assigning this object class to an SCP object indicated that the organisation in question can be trusted not to damage or destroy the object, and that they have the expertise and resources necessary to prevent it from breaching containment, otherwise this situation would be considered a failure of containment. Delegation of containment in this manner is not generally permitted, and the existence of this object class does not imply that any future Anomalies should be handed over to other organisations. However, on a case by case basis, the Foundation may decide that a Group of Interest has the necessary expertise to handle containment at least as well as the Foundation could, and that the open confrontation necessary to recover the Anomaly would risk public exposure of the existence of the Anomalous, or damage to the object itself.

Cernunnos

Carnunnos-class SCPs are Anomalies that could be functionally contained, but for logistical or ethical reasons the Foundation has chosen not to at this time. The anomaly may still be partially contained of actively concealed from the public, but the cost of fully containing it are deemed to outweigh the benefits.

Ticonderoga

Ticonderoga-class SCPs are Anomalies that cannot be contained, but also do not need to be. While these anomalies are similar to Archon-class SCPs in that their containment is unnecessary, Ticonderoga-class SCPs are distinguished by also not being containable given the Foundation's current knowledge and resources. This may be due to their widespread or ubiquitous occurrence on Earth, despite the general public remaining unaware of their existence or anomalous nature, although the Ticonderoga-class also included extraterrestrial Anomalies beyond the current reach of the Foundation.

Explained

Explained SCPs are SCPs that were formally classified as Anomalies before being completely and fully understood, to the point where their effects are now explainable by mainstream science, or were falsely identified as an Anomaly before beinf debunked as a hoax or misunderstanding. While most of these articles are listed separately as Explained SCPs, a Mainlist SCP may be reclassified as Explained after further incestigation into the apparent Anomaly.

Neutralised

Neutralised SCP are SCPs that were formally classified as Anomalies but are no longer Anomalous, due to the object being intentionally or accidentally destroyed or disabled, or simply due to its anomalous properties or effects ceasing.

Decomissioned

Decommissioned SCP are Anomalies that have been intentionally destroyed or stripped of their Anomalous properties by the SCP Foundation. As the Foundation usually tried to contain rather than neutralise Anomalues, this Object Class is only used when it is not possible to fully contain an Anomaly, or when excessive expenditute of of resources is required to keep an Anomaly in containment. Decommissioning may also be performed for ethical reasons, particularly when containment necessitates extreme suffuring or is unable to prevent excessive loss of life. To avoid any unnecessary losses, decommissioning Anomalies requires authorisation from a higher authority, such as the O5 Council, the Ethics Committee, or the Decommissioning Department.

Pending Containment

SPCS that have not been assigned an Object Class may be labled as Pending Containment. This is used to indicate that the Foundation does not currently have enough information to assign an Object Class to the Anomaly. This is a deliberate decision to emphasize that research is ongoing, and is not the same as the author simply not knowing which object class to assign.

Uncontained

SCPS that are not yet contained may be assigned an Object Class, often Keter, but in some articles Uncontained is used in place of an Object Class to emphasize that ongoing effort is required to establish or restore containment.

Esoteric Object Classes

Additional Object Classes not listed above are generally created to further the narrative in a particular SCP and only use once, and so are referred to as Esoteric or Narrative Object Classes. Esoteric Object Classes that are used often enough may eventually meet the requirements to be added to the list of Secondary Classes above. It is recommended to use one of the Primary Object Classes listed here for most SCPs, only using another object class if ther;s a good reason to justify it in the article.

The Locked Box Test

The Locked Box Test is an informal guideline used to determine an Anomalies most appropriate Object Class. It goes like this:

• If you lock it in a box, leave it alone, and nothing bad will happen, the it's probably Safe.
• If you lock it in a box, leave it alone, and you're not entirely sure what will happen, then it's probably Euclid.
• If you lock it in a box, leave it alon, and it easily escapes, then it's probably Keter.
• If it is the box, then it's probably Thaumiel.
• If ti used to need a box, but no longer does it's Neutralised. If this is because of a deliberate decision by the foundation, it was probably Decomissioned.
• If it turns out it never needed to be put in a box in the first place, its probably Explained.
• If you can't put it in a box and it's about to end the world, then it's probably Apollyon.
• If you could have locked it in a box but chose not to due to dire consequences, then it's probably Archon.
• If someone else has it in their own box and that's fine, it's probably Argus.
• If you could have locked it in a box but chose not to for practical or ethical reason, then it's probably Cernunnos.
• If you can't fit it in a box but that's not a big deal, then it's probably Ticonderoga.
• If you're not sure what box to put it in yet, it's probably Pending.

Disruption Classes: ↑

Disruption Classes are used to explain what sort of effect something would have should it breach containment.

Dark

Dark SCPs are Anomalies whos potential disruption is so negligible as to not be a concern.

The Anomaly is essentially inert when not interacted with and may potentially only affect a single indicidual.

The Foundation would find it trivial to cloean up after it.

Vlam

Vlam SCPs are Anomalies whos potential disrpution would be localised to a small handful of people.

The Anomalies effect can effect multiple people, but would not spread very far.

The Foundation would find it relatively simple to neutralise its effects.

Keneq

Keneq SCPs are Anomalies whos potential disruption would be extended to a number of people roughly defined as a city.

The Anomalies effect can spread with fairly significan speed, fast enough as to cause concern.

The Foundation would find it moderately difficuly to neutralise its effects.

Ekhi

Ekhi SPCs are Anomalies whos potential disruption would extend to roughly the size of a large metropolitan area to an entire country. The potential disruption could enxtend to the entire known world.

The Anomalies effects would spread swiftly and be difficult to manage.

The Foundation would find it quite difficult to neutralise its effects.

Amida

Amida SCPs are Anomalies whos potential Disuption would be guaranteed to effect the enitre world or universe.

The Anomalies effects would spread rapidly and be next to impossible to manage.

The Foundation would declare ware and turn most if not all their focus to Containment or Neutralisation.

Risk Classes: ↑

Risk Classes are used to explain how nmuch damage something can inflict on an individual and how easily said person can recover.

Notice

Notice-class SCPs have effects that are nearly non-existent to mild.

An individual within close proximity of the Anomaly would not feel anything as a result of the Anomaly.

It poses no danger to any individual nearby,

Caution

Caution-class SCPs have effects that are mild to moderate.

An individual within close proximity of the Anomaly may feel mild effects from the Anomaly

It poses mild danger to any individual nearby

Warning

Warning-class SCPs have effects that are moderae to significant.

An individual within close proximity of the Anomaly will feel mild effects or may feel major effects from the Anomaly.

It poses moderate danger to any individual nearby

Danger

Danger-class SCPs have effects that are significant to extreme.

An individual within close proximity of the Anomaly will feel major effect or may feel extreme effects from the Anomaly.

It poses significant danger to any individual nearby.

Critical

Critical-class SCPs have effects that are near instant and/or extremely severe.

An individual within close proximity to the Anomaly will almost instantly be effected from the Anomaly and recovery is next to impossible.

It poses immediate danger to any individual nearby,

Clearance Levels: ↑

Clearance Levels describe how easily available information on a specific SCP is. If an SCP features information with different levels of clearance, each segment with be clearly makred.

Level 0: For Official Use Only

Level 0 Security Clearance are given to non-essential personnel with no need to access information regarding Anomalies in Foundation Containment. Level 0 access is typically held by personnel in non-secured clerical, logistics, or janitorial positions at facilities with no access to operational data.

Level 1: Confidential

Level 1 security clearances are given to personnel working in proximity to but no direct, indirect, or informational access to anomalous objects or entities in containment. Level 1 security clearances are typically granted to personnel working in clerical, logicsting, or janitorial positionas at facilities with containment capabilitt or otherwise must handle sensitive information.

Level 2: Restricted

Level 2 security clearances are given to security and research personnel that requires direct access to information regarding Anomalies in containment. Most research staff, field agents, and containment specialists hold a Level 2 security clearance.

Level 3: Secret

Level 3 security clearances are given to senior security and research personnel that require in-depth data regarding the source, recovery circumstances, and long-term planning for Anomalies in containment. Most senior research staff, prokect managers, security officers, response team members and Mobile Task Force operatives hold a Level 3 security clearance.

Level 4: Tom Secret

Level 4 security clearances are given to senior administration that require access to site-wide and/or regional intelligence as well as long-term strategiv data regarding Foundation operations and research projects. Level 4 security clearances are typically only held by Site Directors, Security Directors, or Mobile Task Force Commanders.

Level 5: Thaumiel

Level 5 security clearances are given to the highest-ranking administrative personnel within the Foundation and grant effectively unlimited access to all strategic and otherwise sensitive data. Level 5 security clearances are typically only granted to O5 Council members and selected staff.

Personnel Classifications: ↑

Personnel Clasifications are assigned to personnel based on their priximity to potentially dangerous Anomalies.

Class A

Class A personnel are those deemed essential to Foundation strategic operations, and are not allowed direct access to Anomalies under any circumstances. When circumstances require Class A personnel to be in direct proximity to such Anomalies (such as in the case of facilities housing containment units), Class A personnel are not allowed access to the areas of the facility containing such Anomalie and are to be kept in secured areas at all times. In the case of an emergency, Class A personnel are to be immediately evacuated to a designated and secure off-site location. O5 Council members are always Class A personnel.

Class B

Class B personnel are those deemed essential to local Foundation operation, and may only be granted access to objects, entities, and anomalies that have passed quarantine and have been cleared of any potential mind-affecting qualities or memetic agents. In the event of a containment breach or hostile action against a Foundation facility, Class B personnel are to be evacuated to a designated, secure off-site location as soon as possible.

Class C

Class C personnel are personnel with direct access to most Anomalies not deemed strictly hostile or dangerous. Class C personnel that have had direct contact with potentially mind-affecting or memetic properties may be subject to mandatory quarantine and psychiatric evaluation. In the event of a containment breach or hostile action against a Foundation facility, non-combatant Class C personnel are to either report to secure lock-down areas or are evacuated at the discretion of on-site security personnel in the case of a site-wide breach or other catastrophic event.

Class D

Class D personnel are expendable personnel used to handle extremely hazardous Anomalies and are not allowed to come into contact with Class A or Class B personnel. Class D personnel are typically drawn worldwide from the ranks of prison inmates convicted of violent crimes, especially those on death row. In times of duress, Protocol 12 may be enacted, which allows recruitment from other sources - such as political prisoners, refugee populations, and other civillian sources - that can be transferred into Foundation custody under plausibly deniable circumstances. Class D personnel are to be give regular mandatory psychiatric evaluations and are to be administered an amnestic of at least Class B strength or terminated at the end of the month at the discretion of on-site security or medical staff. In the event of a catastrophic site event, Class D personnel are to be terminated immediately except as deemed necessary by on-site security personnel.

Class E

Class E is a provisional classification applied to field agents and containment personnel that have been exposed to potentially dangerous effects during the course of decuring and establishing initial containment over a newly-designated Anomaly. Class E personnel are to be quarantined as soon as possible, monitored, and screened for potentially harmful changes in behaviour, personality, or physiology, and may only return to duty after being fully debriefed and cleared by psychiatric and medical staff.

Staff Titles: ↑

These are general occupational titles that are typically used in the Foundation.

Site Staff

Containment Specialist

Containment specialists have two main roles at Foundation facilities. Firstly, containment teams are called upon to respond to confirmed cases of Anomalous activity to secure and establish initial containment over Anomalies and transport them to the nearest Foundation containment site.

In addition, Foundation containment engineers and technicians are called upon to devise, refine, and maintain containment units and schemes for Anomalies in Foundation facilities.

Researcher

Researchers are the scientific branch of the Foundation, drawn from the ranks of the smartest and best-trained research scientists from around the world. With specialists in every field imaginable, from chemistry and botany to more esoteric or specialised fields such as theoretical physics and xenobioloft, the foal of the Foundation's research projects is to gain a better understanding of how unexplained anomalies and how they operate.

Secutiry Officer

On-site security officers - often referred to simply as guards - at Foundation facilities are tasked with maintaining physical and information security for Foundation projects, operations, and personnel. Primarily drawn and recruited from military, law enforcement, and correctional facility personnel, security officers are trained in the use of all types of weapons as well as a variety of contingency plans covering both containment breach incidents as well as hostile action. These personnel are also responsible for information security, such as making sure that sensitive documents are not misplaces and that a facility's computer systems are safe from outside intrusion. They are also often the first line of defense against hostile outside forces for Foundation facilities.

Tactical Response Officer

Response teams - or tactical teams - are highly trained and heavily armed combat teams tasked with escorting containment teams when dangerous Anomalies or hostile Groups of Interest are involved and defending Foundation facilities against hostile action. Response teams are effectively military units stationed at major Foundation facilities that are ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Field Personnel

Field Agent

Field agents are the eyes and ears of the Foundatioin, personnel trained to look for and investigate signs of Anomalous Activity, often undercover with local or regional law enforcement or embedded in local sercices such as emergency medical services and regulatory organisation. As undercover units, field agents are typically not equipped to deal with confirmed cases of Anomalous Activity; one such an incident has been confirmed and isolated, field agents will typically call for assistance from the nearest field containment team with the means to safely secure and contain such Anomalies.

Mobile Task Force Operative

Mobil Task Forces are specialist units comprised of veteran field personnel drawn from all over the Foundation. These task forces are mobilised to deal with threats of a specific nature and can include anything from field researchers specialising in a particular type of anomaly to heavily armed combat units tasked to secure certain types of hostile Anomalies.

Administration

Site Director

Site directors for major Foundation facilities are the highest-ranking personnel at that location and are responsible for the continued, safe operation of the site and all of its contained Anomalies and projects. All major departmental directors report directly to the Site Director, who in turn reports to the O5 Council.

O5 Council Member

The O5 Council refers to the committee consisting of the highest-ranking directors fo the Foundation. With complete access to all information regarding Anomalies in containment, the O5 Council oversees all Foundation operations worldwide and directs its long-term strategic plans. Due to the sensitivity of their positions, O5 Council members must not come into direct contact with any Anomaly. Furthermore, the indentities of all O5 Council members is classified; all council members are referred to only by their numberic designation (O5-1 thorugh O5-13).