Hey everyone, it's Pacific, and welcome back to another episode of SCP Archives. In case you missed it, earlier this week, we released a little chat interview I had with Eleanor Hyde, one of the co-creators of World Gone Wrong. In it, we talk about our shows, SCP Archives and World Gone Wrong. And we also talk about what it means to be a creator, especially during Pride Month.
It's a wonderful little chat. I really hope you check it out. I had a lot of fun talking to Eleanor about just like making podcasts and stuff. It was a really good time. So if you haven't, go check that out. It came out on Tuesday. Definitely worth a listen. And if you have subscribed to World Gone Wrong, be sure to let them know that we say hi. Tell them in their comments, on their Apple reviews. I want them to know that we sent you.
That's all I got for you guys this week. So wishing you a very happy Pride Month. Up next, a quick message from our sponsors, and then this week's episode. Enjoy. Item number, SCP-2408. Object Class, Keter. Special Containment Procedures. All information regarding the activities of Group of Interest 0432 is to be suppressed.
To this end, Foundation operatives are to infiltrate law enforcement and jurisdictions relevant to the group's activities and ensure influence over all personnel who are at risk of gaining or sharing information about the group. MTF Psy-13, Witch Hunters, has been tasked with identification and neutralization of anomalous GOI-0432 members and their leadership.
These individuals are designated as instances of SCP-2408-1. Instances who are captured alive are to be interrogated prior to termination. Cadavers are to be autopsied and then disposed of for standard hazardous waste protocols. Armed Reliquary and Biological Containment Area 06 has been constructed beneath Moscow in order to assure containment and facilitate study of SCP-2408-3. Mobile Task Force Psi-9, Abyss Gazers.
has been assigned security detail. Psi-9 is to secure and control all ingress points. If necessary, Psi-9 is authorized to use overwhelming lethal force to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. SCP-2408 designates several anomalies associated with GOI-0432, also known as the Hunter's Black Lodge, an anomalous criminal organization in Sarkit Kulk, primarily active in post-Soviet states.
SCP-2408-1 are genetically normal humans capable of undergoing extreme physical transformations. Observed changes include increases in mass, bone density, and organ size. as well as increased testosterone and adrenaline levels to approximately six times out of a typical adult male. Enlargement of organs is in proportion to increased mass, with the exception of the testes and adrenal glands, which increase in size well beyond what would be proportional.
the brain does not appear to change in size. Furthermore, instances of SCP-2408-1 have been observed manifesting non-human physicalities, taking a lupine, ursine, porcine, ursine. servine, and octopine features. Some instances have displayed the ability to shift between bipedal and quadrupedal movement, and all have amplified senses, strength, speed, and regenerative ability.
Complete transmogrification is achieved within 10 to 30 seconds. It remains unknown whether or not these transformations can be manifested indefinitely, but all instances are able to reverse these changes while maintaining cellular stability. Discovery. SCP-2408 was discovered during Operation Falkenrath, whose objectives included infiltration of the Hunter's Black Lodge. GOI-0432 has been linked to extortion, murder.
robbery, gambling, prostitution, human trafficking, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and underground fighting rings. While these activities are not inherently anomalous, The Black Lodge drew Foundation attention by becoming a source for anomalous items, as well as developing a reputation as practitioners of the occult. In particular, GOI-0432 is responsible for trafficking and distribution of anomalous pharmaceutical agents, primarily the anabolic androgenic steroid RATH.
The intravenous injection of RATH triggers anomalous muscle and bone growth. Continued and or excessive use results in Proteus-Cronenberg syndrome and or death. Analysis suggests that this substance is harvested from the adrenal glands of an unidentified species of animal and has thus been classified as SCP-2408-2A.
GOI-0432 is also responsible for trafficking and distribution of lust, a potent narcotic popular with club-goers, which has been found in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Normally sold in small glass vials. Lust is administered through insufflation into the sinus cavities. The substance triggers sensory hallucinations, increased heart palpitations, sexual arousal and feelings of euphoria.
studies have shown the substance is more addictive than heroin. These effects are not anomalous, but the substance appears to be derived from the spinal fluid of an unidentified species and has thus been classified as SCP-2408-2b. The Black Lodge is also responsible for the trafficking and distribution of other biological agents, including pathogens and toxins deemed anomalous by the Foundation.
The creation and distribution of Red Death represents an exceptionally high level of concern. Already classified as SCP, information regarding the Red Death is classified level 4 top secret. and only available on a need-to-know basis. The Foundation became aware of GOI-0432 in the wake of the USSR's dissolution.
when many anomalies and related documentation were transferred to Foundation Control by the Psychotronics Division of the Russian GRU. The existence of GOI-0432 is corroborated by former members of GRU Division P. They were unable to fully neutralize the threat presented by the Black Lodge and its associated anomalies, with one source describing the apparent destruction of the organization on several occasions, only for it to reappear months later. Addendum 1
GRU Division P, Department 5, regarding the Black Lodge. Document written and signed by Division P agent Ivan P. Crouppen. The Black Lodge is a criminal organization whose capacity for violence and criminality have been augmented through anomalous means. They currently operate throughout the USSR, but their headquarters is believed to be in Moscow at a secret location referred to by the criminal class as the Old Altar.
Information about this location has been primarily gathered from Wright's survivor Samuel T. Ankudinov, who was executed for his crimes once he was no longer needed. attached as the recording of my interview with Enkudinov. He was a former Black Lodge recruit and survivor of their rights. Due to the loss of his lower jaw, Mr. N. Kadena was unable to speak without the aid of an assistive device.
The subject had little to no knowledge with regards to specific anomalies, and appeared to have suffered great psychological trauma from his experience. He was recovered by workers from the sewage systems of Moscow's Arbat district. Mr. Ankadinov, we would like you to tell us where we can find the old altar. I don't know. You'll find it somewhere below Moscow. I could not see the way.
I was blindfolded. What did you encounter within? Please, tell me everything. An old heathen temple. It was made of black stone. There was a lot of blood, meat, chanting and drumming. What did they force you to do? Fight or die. I had no choice. I was weak. Pathetic. Worthful. But you managed to escape. How? Among the dead. I fell among the blood-fed grates and crawled away. It was blood and meat and bones for what seemed like miles. Everything was black. Agent O'Lear Shapak.
of mtf side 13 witch hunters was officially tasked with the infiltration of the hunter's black lodge on april 11 1994 as part of operation falconrath it was created to employ counter-occult stratagems in the covert infiltration and elimination of leadership figures in Sarkic, and similar organizations as part of Project Sitra Akra. Under the alias Dominik Mushkin, Agent Shpach operated in Moscow as a contract killer.
developing a criminal reputation which ultimately gained him the attention of the Black Lodge. On January 20, 1995, Agent Shepak was contacted and invited to the Red Lantern nightclub. The Red Lantern is popular among those who enjoy Moscow's nightlife. It is located in the Galia Novo district of Moscow and serves as an important electronic music and adult entertainment venue.
The establishment is a front for Black Lodge operations, including prostitution, human trafficking, gambling, weapon sales, and the distribution of illegal and anomalous narcotics. Moscow police have extensive files on criminal activities at the Red Lantern, but have failed to take meaningful action due to corruption and intimidation.
Agent Shepak entered the nightclub at 9 p.m., January 25, 1995. He was identified by security and escorted to an upstairs VIP suite overlooking the main dance floor. Agent Chapak did not exit the club until 8 a.m. January 29, 1995. A message was later delivered to a Foundation dead drop. Special Operations Missive, Operation Falkenrath. I apologize for the delay. I'll start from the beginning.
I approached the club at 2100 hours and was in line about 10 minutes before one of the security guards recognized me and invited me inside. They confiscated my weapon. and I was brought upstairs to a private lounge overlooking the main dance floor. There were six men and one elderly woman seated around the table covered in cards. hath eaten food and several bottles of vodka and tequila the beast himself was there atari yosawa leader of black lodge
He sat at the far end of the room, staring at me from behind mirrored aviators. He raised a hand to indicate an empty chair and invited me to sit. I obliged. He had a menacing air to him. He never smiled or removed his sunglasses, despite the relative darkness inside the club. Tattooed muscles rippled under a tight-fitting t-shirt and jeans. A desert eagle!
Of all things, hung under his armpit in a shoulder holster. I suspect the others in the room were lieutenants, but they kept silent for the most part. Yosava dove right in. Skipped the pleasantries entirely. Dominic Mushkin. It's nice to meet someone unafraid of wet work. I understand you are brotherless. Is this so? Yes, that's right. I work alone. Hmm. It is rare and dangerous to work solo in Moscow.
I've received a few offers from small gangs, but they weren't worth my time. He was hard to read. His tone and body language were firm, but hardly aggressive. Think you're tough. You speak brave words. But maybe you're just another stupid child whose luck is about to run out. They were weak, and I'm a skilled professional with a good reputation. Why try my luck with the lowest cards in the deck? The elderly woman leaned over and whispered something in Yosava's ear. She was pale.
Dressed simply in a black saraphan, with a red and white shawl covering her shoulders and hair. She was covered with unusual tattoos, but seemed out of place with these gangsters. Somehow. She made me uneasy. More so than the rest of those self-absorbed thugs. Your blood's wrong, Karova. But you've got balls. If you're interested in working with us on a permanent basis, I'll give you one chance to prove yourself.
There's going to be a little initiation for a few prospective members. I won't lie to you. It is a way for us to cull the weak. Assuring only those with the will to serve us survive to enter our ranks. I'm interested. But we will need to discuss terms. We will, once you prove yourself. For now, we drink. A waitress lurking in the shadows came forth and delivered a bottle of vodka.
and several glasses. As per tradition, we poured our own shots. Yosava raised the glass, I returned the favor, and we drank. In a blink, I found myself tied up and naked on the cold floor. A hood over my head and a proper ball gag in my mouth. I figured pouring my own drink would have let me avoid this kind of thing. Maybe the bottom of the glass had been coated with tranquilizer. Hard to say, but it doesn't really matter.
Eventually, they came for me and carted me off. It was pointless to fight it. This went on for maybe an hour or two. The air was chill and damp. There was a scent of rust and stagnant water followed by an earthy aroma. I heard voices. Only some of them were speaking Russian. Others... something else. It was gibberish to me, but I'm certain it was sarkic. That's when things got weak.
They chained me by the neck to a stone pillar, then untied the rope from my wrists and ankles, pulled off my hood, and removed the gag. I was in a dimly lit amphitheater. It was ancient. There were four other men in similar circumstances to my own, each attached to a stone pillar by a long chain at the neck. Hundreds watched us from higher ground.
Some wore red and white robes, others were dressed in plain clothes or business attire. I felt a prick at the base of my neck, and everything afterwards was a blur. Later, there was a celebration. There were women, drugs, food, drink, and sometimes flashes of violence. The memories are confused. Just... Vague and disjointed images. I apologize for the lack of details. I awoke in my apartment, caked in blood with a new tattoo on my shoulder.
It took me by surprise. It resembles a black cyclops skull with curving horns and tusks. I guess this means they've accepted me as one of their own. I'll be sure to step out on my balcony shortless a few times. Have surveillance snap a few photographs. See if it means anything. End log. Hey everyone, Pacific here with a quick ad break and a reminder. For just $5 a month, you can get early and ad-free access to all of our episodes on our Patreon.
You can learn more by visiting patreon.com slash scp underscore pod. There's also a link to our Patreon in the show notes below. Up next, a quick message from our sponsors. Thanks so much for listening, and now, back to the show. Special Operations Missive, Operation Falkenrath, Agent O'Leary Shepak, February 4th, 1995. Begin log. My first job was gunrunning. More damning evidence against Abraxas arms. Not a lot to report beyond that. In a lot of ways, the Black Lodge is like any other Bradva.
They're thugs, plain and simple, and mostly driven by greed. They're also nestier, which speaks volumes. You can't get much lower than the Bradvois. They discarded any trace of honor they had left in Siberia. The Great Mothers are certainly something you don't see elsewhere in the world of organized crime. The Enforcers called them Hex.
crones, witches, and the like, though not to their faces. The Zarkic influence is clear to them. Twelve in number, they refer to each other as sisters. They are priestesses or some such. All wear the same outfits. A black seraphan, a stained leather apron, and a red and white shawl covering the shoulders and hair. They go barefooted. A lot of ink work, too. They aren't carcists.
But they still wield a great deal of clout over the Black Lodge. End log. Special Operations Missive. Operation Falconrath. Agent O'Leary Shepak. March 10th, 1995. Begin log. Criminal underground has a literal meaning for the Black Lodge. There is another world beneath Moscow. Abandoned Soviet bunkers, the Metro 2 forgotten crypts. But it runs so much deeper than we knew. There's something downright ancient below.
I think Moscow was built atop a Sorkic temple. There's a dungeon with rusted torture equipment. Pre-revolution. Maybe a relic of the time of troubles. Regardless, it looks like the cultists are continuing the tradition, but it's not nearly as deep and ancient as that wretched temple. Might be worth researching what buildings used to exist in the general location during the 17th century. I don't know much about these places yet. Their information security is better than expected.
But I think I found a weak link in their chain. One of the great mothers. Let's call her five. Five show signs of senility. She's gentle, friendly, and more importantly, naive. I've been able to glean some fairly significant intelligence from her, but can't say how much truth there is to any of it. According to her... The Black Lodge is something both new and old. Like the other bratwa, it began in the gulags of Siberia during the Sukha Wars.
The father of Atari appears to have been responsible for the Black Lodge's resurrection in 51. He encountered something in the Siberian wilderness after leading a successful prison break. Deaths when the witches sought him out, guided him, showed him what he had forgotten. I asked what she meant by that, but her mind wandered elsewhere. She seemed happy to have someone listen to her.
A chance to feel nostalgic about the old face. She told me to take this secret and handed me several old and frayed documents. Scriptures, but not the originals. They were notes she must have transcribed from their primary sources. Fragmented, but something I think the researchers would like to see. Five also told me about Moscow's lost history. In another time, it was known by a different name. Oroch's Fall. A sarkic settlement.
where the saint of war sacrificed himself for the blood of gods and tyrants. Never cared for this city, because there was always something sinister here. As she described the ancient city, her terminology was unusual, anatomical in nature, referring to different locations as the heart. Lungs and skull of Auroch's fall. I'm not sure what you was alluding to, but hopefully I'll be able to glean some more information soon. End log.
Special Operations Missive, Operation Falconrath. Agent Alarcia Peck. April 18th, 1995. Begin log. I am making a special request to have my name, as well as what I've done, removed from the final report. If I successfully complete my mission and come out of this alive, then I request the immediate access to amnestics. Most of my targets have been degenerates and criminals, potential rivals and the like, but this was... different. And Atari...
That sick fuck wanted us to leave a different kind of message. There are other Sorki cultists in Moscow. Non-Black Lodge. I'm talking oligarchs and government officials. One of them sent word that someone in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a man named... wanted to crack down on the Black Lodge and was searching for allies among the few straight players left in this city.
Target the family, Odari said. His wife and daughter. But don't kill them. Make an example. The sort of scars that will never heal. So I... Data expunged. End log. Special Operations Missive, Operation Falconrath. Agent O'Leary Shepak. April 22, 1995. Begin log. Spoke with Five again. Still trying to clear my head of what happened. She's not like the others, and I'm beginning to question just how senile she really is. When she speaks to me of her faith...
There is a tone of regret. I asked her more about it and she told me about Ion. I felt like a child again, listening to my babushka talk about Jesus and the old prophets. It was whimsical and just like her to skip over the parts that glorified torture and murder. No. I'm no researcher, historian, or theologian or whatever, but I think these cults, this sarcasm, didn't begin this way. I suppose that goes for most religions.
Five talked about honor, friendship, virtue, and liberation. The gentle reindeer folk of Adidam against the evil Deva. She's old. But I think the faith changed long before her. Maybe she's begun to interpret the text differently. Maybe she's wrong. Seen good under layers of madness and atrocity. I can certainly relate. It's always the same. Another failed revolution. Regardless, I suspect Five is an aberration. Perhaps that is the reason she's confided in me.
The others talk about the great mothers, say they can see things. At times, I worry if she knows who I really am. My training tells me to eliminate her, but I think I'll ignore. That training for now? Besides, no point taking out a valuable source of information. Not yet, at least. Regarding the arena, it isn't just for initiation. It's used for rituals disguised as bloodsport. Six enter, but only one leaves. A lot of folk are willing to pay to see and bet on it.
Many wear the skulls of beasts or the clean suits of billionaires. Five's not a fan. She complains about it like folk complain about the commercialization of Christmas. I know the Black Lodge has been classified as neo-sarchic, but the Great Mothers are pretty clearly proto-sarchic. They're traditional, celebrate the high holidays, and still think in terms of some greater good.
The rest only care about power, making themselves stronger, wealthier, etc. Atari has an animal cunning to him, but he is hardly an intellectual. Nor does he appear to be a cursist. Or at least, I've never heard the term used in his presence. End log. Special Operations Missive, Operation Falconwrath. Agent O'Leary Shepak. May 1st, 1995. Begin log. They've got me working the dungeon now. Although, they don't call it that. I wonder if the Tsars knew how many they sacrificed atop an altar.
Maybe they did. It wouldn't surprise me. Sarcassism is a disease, and that's more carriers than we ever imagined. They actually call it the basement's basement. Somehow creepier than dungeon. Torture. Information gathering. Not that it is ever reliable. Examples are made. One last warning not to cross the Black Lodge. Organ harvesting, too. You'd think these sarcic types would have them growing from trees.
Sometimes it's just to satisfy Atari's sadism. There's one cell that's different. I asked an enforcer about it. He said he didn't know. And that he didn't need to know. So neither did I. It has a heavy door, different from the rusted bars of every other cell. It's built with a small slit to peer through, and another for food. Inside they saw a man, or what was left of him. His face, at least the eyes and nose, were gone. The whole area carved out to now just a gaping hole.
It reminded me of a cyclops, with the hole was gazing back at me. Kind of like that tattoo. They may be related. He was sitting on the floor. Nude and cross-legged, a thin but muscular body covered in tattoos, scarves and dried blood. Chain-linked hooks held his body in place. So he couldn't move even if he wanted to. I honestly thought he was dead at first. But I could hear his heavy breathing.
And see the slow expansion and reduction of his chest. End log. Special Operations Missive. Operation Falconwrath. Agent O'Leary Shepak. May 6, 1995. Begin log. Five let me in on a little secret. Atari has a brother by the name of Mikhail. Same father? Different mother. He's that half-dead thing in the cell. Apparently, Atari and Mikhail had somewhat of a rivalry.
But that isn't why Mikhail's been imprisoned and defaced. Five was vehement about that. It seems that Mikhail volunteered for some sort of ritual. Things are getting pretty fucked up here. Not sure if it's the drugs or not. I'm leaving a vial with this report. I'm seeing things. The angles in the club and everything below are... wrong.
The architecture gives me a headache if I stare at it too long. Yesterday, I woke up in a bathroom stall with a half-eaten woman. The whores at Red Lanterns, they look human one moment, then the next... I know monster isn't really an appropriate term in this line of work, but I'm not sure how else to describe them. They stare at me with feral, hungry eyes. I have once called them Rusalka. I thought she was just being figurative. But now, I'm not so sure.
They slither into the back rooms with fresh meat tailing behind. They'll be back within the hour, looking satisfied. But the men that go in... never come out. And when I watch the pit fights, there are things in the audience. Things that aren't entirely human. There are sounds I can't explain, too. Like a heartbeat. Sometimes wars. Something from deep below. the blood and corpses go. End log. Agent Shepak was declared missing in action on May 28, 1995, on June 4, after much deliberation.
Raids were conducted against multiple Black Lodge sites, including the Red Lantern nightclub. During the assault, SCP-2408-1 were directly observed undergoing transfigurations and the Foundation obtained several combat recordings of them in action. Despite their aggression and anomalous combat prowess,
MTF forces achieved all their objectives and neutralized all on-site instances of SCP-2408-1 with minimal casualties. Exploration of the tunnels below the Red Lantern resulted in the discovery of SCP-2408-3. SCP-2408-3 is a megalithic temple complex located within a large cavern deep beneath the city of Moscow. At approximately 3000 years old, it is the oldest standing structure in Russia.
Its architecture suggests it originated from the Sarkic Culture Group. SCP-2408-3 is composed of inorganic and organic materials. Its inorganic portion encompasses the exterior. and is constructed from stacked megaliths of gabbro. Its anomalous organic portions fill in the interior and is composed entirely of bone, muscle, and viscera. A gladiatorial arena and a large altar were found on the grounds.
By the time MTF forces arrived, 12 elderly women had been disemboweled and hung from the ceiling by their own intestines. Iron grates in the floor below captured their blood and spilled viscera. SCP-2408-4 was found directly beneath SCP-2408-3, horizontally positioned with its arms and legs outwardly extended. The entity was disabled, immobile, and likely brain-dead.
Genetically human, but expressing many normally dormant genes, SCP-2408-4 displayed many features that do not naturally occur among humans. These include a solitary eye located in the center of the face, A flat nasal slit rather than a protruding nose. Tusks, horns, and various other corneous protrusions. Three rows of sharpened teeth. Enlarged and heavily muscled jaws.
partial exoskeleton and endoskeleton, both anomalously strong with a tensile strength comparable to carbine. SCP-2408-4's most notable anomaly is its size. with an estimated standing height of 300 meters and a weight of at least 70,000 tons, far larger than what should be physically possible for a terrestrial animal. Based upon the unusual length of its arms relative to the rest of its body, SCP-2408-4 likely moved with a gait similar to that of a gorilla.
Further analysis discovered evidence leading to the conclusion that SCP-2408-4 achieved its anomalous biomass through the absorption of more than 100,000 human and non-human organisms. SCP-2408-4 can only be directly accessed via one of three shafts, two of which are equipped with mechanical lifts analogous to those used in mining operations. Each shaft connects to a specific region of the body.
the skull the stomach and the groin the passage to the stomach which lacks mechanical lift appears to directly connect to the arena and ultimately provided scp-2408-4 with sustenance The bronze tips of over 3,000 arrows, harpoons and spears belonging to a wide range of Eurasian cultures have been extracted from its muscle tissue. The exact cause of SCP-2408-4's current state remains unknown. Some portions of the body appear to be undergoing slow decay while other parts appear to be regenerating.
SCP-2408-4's body is believed to be the source of SCP-2408-2A and SCP-2408-2B. Evidence indicates a prior to its discovery by Foundation operatives. Certain SCP-2408-2 protruding organs and glands were surgically removed, such as the adrenal gland, pineal gland, testes, and hypothalamus, and smuggled out of Moscow by members of Black Lodge.
Operations to secure and contain these anomalous objects are underway. At present, GOI-0432 has expanded its influence while SCP-2408-2B addiction has reached epidemic proportions. with long-time addicts developing unusual physical traits, such as leathery skin, black sclera, yellow irises, skeletal protrusions, and various other mutations.
unable to contain all those addicted to SCP-2408-2B. O5 Command has ordered the capture and humane termination of afflicted individuals at designated kill sites. Remains are to be disposed of per hazardous waste protocols unless authorized for research. This order will remain in effect until SCP-2408-2B is properly contained and or eliminated. This week's episode was brought to us by our patrons. Joining us this week was... Daniel Davenport.
Thanks so much for supporting our show and helping us do what we do. We couldn't do it without you. SCP Archives was created by Pacific S. Obadiah and John Grills. SCP-2408 was written by Metaphysician. Our script was by Kevin Whitlock. Our narrator was John Grylls. Ola Spack was Giancarlo Herrera. Ivan P. Crouppen was Dustin Parsons. Samuel T. Andikudinov was Erica Sanderson.
Otari Aisava was Ben Counter. Our art was by Eduardo Baldez-Hebbia. Our dialogue editing was by Daisy McNamara. Our theme song of music was composed by Matt Royberger. Our sound designer is Brad Colbrook, and our showrunner is Daisy McNamara. I'm your creative director, Pacific S. Obadiah, and our executive producer is Tom Owen. And this is a bloody FM show. For more information, visit scparchives.com.