A translation of basic figures of SCP-C055 to IPA. Click to enlarge. |
---|
Item #: SCP-C055
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: As per Linguistics Division regulation, SCP-C055 is considered a class 3 anomalous language, which restricts its use, documentation, and/or testing to level 3 or higher personnel. As of Addendum 1, Foundation webcrawler "CrashOverride" scans all images congruent with SCP-C055 formatting and deletes, modifies, or restricts access to the images as required.
Description: SCP-C055 is a glyphic and archaic phonemic orthography1, with no native spoken variant. Instead, the language appears to be created to be universally optimized for most human vocal languages, and to originally have been created as a method of encoding messages for espionage some time in the first century BCE before assuming its anomalous properties, method unknown.
A diagram of word reading path. Click to enlarge. |
---|
SCP-C055's anomalous properties manifest upon the use of the script to produce a concept in any form, being that the script is performed manually2. In this instance, the concept intended to be conveyed will manifest. Combining multiple glyphs will yield more specific results, given that the intent is a combination and not several separate instances. Few limits have been discovered to the extent of the effect, as no tested glyphs have failed to manifest properly.
SCP-C055 is read from left to right, divided across the horizontal partition. The upper segment is read in a clockwise winding path, the lower a counterclockwise one. If the figure contains diagonal crossbars, individual branches are considered words in a sentence. In this case, each word is read normally while the sentence is read clockwise.
A diagram of sentence reading path. Click to enlarge. |
---|
Addendum A: On June 2nd, 2008, Tim Buckley, author of web comic series "Ctrl+Alt+Del" created an issue of his web comic titled "Loss", which quickly came under scrutiny and mocking due to the tone of the work. After the resulting debacle inspired various members of the general public to reproduce the figures in the comics humorously, and then minimalistically, the resulting figures triggered the anomalous effects of SCP-C055. Due to the lack of intent and use of digital technology to produce the figure instead of manual inscription, the anomalous effect is greatly diminished, but is believed to somewhat in part be a cause to the longevity of the popularity of the practice. Further testing necessary.
Addendum B: Testing Log, SCP-C055
Facilitators: Lead Researcher Harding, Dr. Mantell
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test A
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "Fire" ("F Y ER") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: Alright, this is Test A. I'm going to be working with SCP-C055 today, under the supervision of Gary-
Lead Researcher Harding: That's "Lead Researcher Harding", thank you.
Dr. Mantell: That's right, yes sir. Anyways, the test.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper combusts moments after completion.
Dr. Mantell: Oh shit!
Dr. Mantell quickly moves back from the sheet.
Lead Researcher Harding: I will consider that your first warning to observe a safe testing distance.
Results: The sheet combusted after ~3.45 seconds.
Analysis: Test A is a template for further, more complicated testing. Reacted as expected. -Harding
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test B
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "water" ("W O T ER") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: Alright, inscribing.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper liquefies and becomes highly distilled water moments after completion.
Dr. Mantell: Can I get a couple paper towels?
Results: The sheet transmogrified into pure water.
Analysis: SCP-C055 does not seem bound to human concepts, as it didn't become natural sea or fresh drinking water. -Harding
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test C
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "liquefy" ("L I C W E F Y") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: Beginning inscription.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper combusts moments after completion.
Dr. Mantell: What the shit! I did it right, I swear!
Lead Researcher Harding: Please just retrieve the fire extinguisher from before.
Results: The sheet shifted to liquid state, instantly igniting itself due to the temperature required to do so.
Analysis: Results of transmogrification remain bound to the laws of physics by default. -Harding
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test D
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "great fire" ("G R AI T | F Y ER") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: Are we sure this is a good idea?
Lead Researcher Harding: As long as you make sure to observe a safe testing distance, although previous tests have led me to believe that you may be incapable.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper combusts moments after completion. It is to be noted that the resulting plume was approximately 200% larger per volume than Test 1.
Dr. Mantell: Safe testing distance my ass! That almost took my eyebrows off.
Results: The sheet combusted, larger than the first attempt.
Analysis: Multiple words chained together create a single effect. I foresee practical use of this anomaly. -Harding
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test E
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "great fire tool" ("G R AI T | F Y ER | T OO2 L") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: I'm not doing this one.
Lead Researcher Harding: Would you like to revise that decision? Employee examinations come up soon. I would hate to be the one let go because I wasn't cooperative.
Dr. Mantell: And why exactly do we not have the expendables in here?
Lead Researcher Harding: Because we don't trust convicted felons with magic. That's why we pay you the big bucks.
Dr. Mantell: I don't even make six figures.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper takes no immediate effect.
Dr. Mantell: Well, now what?
Lead Researcher Harding: I suppose you attempt to use the tool.
Dr. Mantell rolls up the paper into a cylinder and performs a wide sweeping gesture.
Dr. Mantell: Hocus Pocus! See? Nothing.
The sheet of paper combusts moments afterwards, somewhat stifled by being contained in Dr. Mantells hand, but potent nonetheless.
Dr. Mantell: Ah! Oh Jesus Christ! Yipes… I don't really know what I expected to happen.
Results: The sheet combusted, like the last attempt, but only after being intended to be used.
Analysis: The fundamentals of the anomaly seem to rely solely on the indicated words and nothing more. Perhaps it relies on logic not unlike modern computational software. -Harding
Antireality laminated copy of test glyph. |
---|
Test F
Procedure: Dr. Mantell was to inscribe "great fire tool front" ("G R AI T | F Y ER | T OO2 L | F R U N T") into a sheet of standard printer paper using a marker in SCP-C055.
Transcription:Dr. Mantell: And this is the one that won't cause me severe bodily harm again?
Lead Researcher Harding: It should be.
Dr. Mantell: That makes me feel so much safer, thanks.
Dr. Mantell takes several seconds to inscribe the glyph. Sheet of paper takes no immediate effect, as before.
Dr. Mantell: Now I do the thing once again. Hocus Pocus!
The rolled sheet expels a jet of flame approximately 5 feet long from its end, scorching the far wall.
Dr. Mantell: (cheering) Woohoo! Our first successful spell! I can't wait to tell the breakroom D&D club that I am officially a wizard in real life!
Results: The sheet ejected a large jet of fire, from the end, and only after being used as an instrument.
Analysis: I think this is conclusive evidence that this anomaly poses a serious possibility of holding practical uses in the lab and in the field. It's just a shame they'll probably lock this in the Disney Vault and this research will be left forgotten. It beats having to use the oven to cook things in the mean time. End Voice Log. -Harding