Irenaeus

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is currently contained at Site-19. SCP-XXXX is to be stored inside a hard sided drop-resistant case. The case is to be kept inside a standard secure locker of sufficient size to contain the case. Both the case and the locker are to be fitted with minimum 10 cm high density foam. The foam inside the drop-resistant case is to be custom-fitted to SCP-XXXX's dimensions, and at no point should less than the minimum 10 cm separate SCP-XXXX itself and the walls of the drop-resistant case. The cavity within SCP-XXXX is likewise to be custom-fitted with high density foam in order to fully immobilize the metal striker.

Both the drop-resistant case and the standard secure locker are to be checked on a monthly basis for degradation of high-density foam. If any degradation is found to have occurred, new foam is to be fitted within twelve hours. In the event that the interior striker-immobilizing foam is found to be degraded, a team of five security officers will be required to re-fit the foam insert. The degraded insert is not to be removed until the replacement has been fabricated. During interior foam replacement, one security officer will be responsible at all times for ensuring the immobility of the metal striker. That officer will immediately wrap the striker in packing foam, and will hold it at all times during the foam replacement process. Three security officers will be responsible for holding SCP-XXXX during the process, and the third security officer will be responsible for moving the hard sided drop-resistant case.

No experimentation on SCP-XXXX is permitted at this time. Foundation personnel are not to access the standard secure locker containing SCP-XXXX except during maintenance checks, or if further experimentation has been approved. Researches may apply to the site director of SCP-XXXX's current location in order to obtain permission for experimentation, but such permission is likely to be denied unless effective safeguards can be established.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a nondescript church bell recovered from St. ██████ Church in the town of ███, ████. It is constructed from standard bell metal, consisting primary of copper and tin, with some iron inclusions consistent with bell metal of that region. Chemical analysis and local history indicates that SCP-XXXX was produced in ███ CE. SCP-XXXX weighs approximately 225kg, and measures 75cm in diameter.

Foundation experimentation on SCP-XXXX has thus far been unable to document its ringing, however all attempts to do so have resulted in occurrences consistent with the legends recalled in its original location. Details of experimentation are contained in Experiment Log XXXX. As the alleged effects of SCP-XXXX have not been reliably isolated, and as safeguards have not yet been developed which could ensure the isolation of its effects, all experimentation on SCP-XXXX is currently suspended.

Experimentation implies, though has not yet proven, that the alleged effects of attempting to ring SCP-XXXX are applied to the person who intended to ring it, and possibly to other persons who either give permission for or observe the attempted ringing of SCP-XXXX. This situation is considered to present a major risk to all Foundation research staff involved with SCP-XXXX. Even if D-class personnel are used to attempt the actual ringing of SCP-XXXX, Drs. ██, and ██ have hypothesized that the intention to ring SCP-XXXX might belong to Foundation research staff rather than the D-class personnel.

It is suspected, though not proven, that testing of SCP-XXXX has been responsible for several deaths and significant illnesses for Foundation personnel and families.

Site-19 Containment Specialists are concerned that an accidental drop could inadvertently cause the metal striker of SCP-XXXX to contact the bell cavity. As the effects of this potential strike are unknown, precautions have been taken to eliminate this risk.

Addendum:
See Experiment Log XXXX.
See Recovery Log XXXX.

Recovery Log:
SCP-XXXX was recovered by the Foundation in 19█, after the events surrounding an unremarkable fire in the town, which was quickly contained. When the fire was discovered, Field Agent ███ observed that the town fire marshal climbed to the top of St. ██████ Church's bell tower, at which time he used a megaphone to summon the town's volunteer fire brigade. The next day, Agent ███ asked the fire marshal why he did not use the church's bell to draw attention before using the megaphone, as was the tradition of several neighbouring towns. The fire marshal seemed unwilling or unable to explain why he did not use the bell.

Agent ███ spoke to several prominent members of the town, several of whom spoke about local legends surrounding the church's bell. According to these legends, no resident of the town had ever heard the bell ring, nor could anyone recall seeing the bell being rung. Additionally, several local legends describe tragedy befalling anyone attempting to ring the bell, including sudden deaths in the family, financial ruin, or the sudden onset of chronic illnesses in previously healthy people.

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Experiment Log XXXX

Experiment log XXXX-A-1

Date:██-██-██
Procedure: D-class instructed to manually swing SCP-XXXX's metal striker to strike and sound the bell.
Results: Inconclusive. Neither D-class nor observing researchers noted a ringing bell. None could recall actually observing D-class attempting to ring SCP-XXXX. Video and audio feeds 'jump' several seconds directly prior to attempting to strike SCP-XXXX
Notes: D-class, known to have no surviving family, experienced a severe stroke leading to near-instantaneous death approximately 48 hours after conclusion of test XXXX-A-1. Cannot establish causal link to test XXXX-A-1.

Experiment log XXXX-A-2

Date:██-██-██
Procedure: Procedure identical to test XXXX-A-1, except that D-class personnel is known to have surviving family members.
Results: Results identical to test XXXX-A-1.
Notes: Mother and father of D-class died due to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home approximately 96-120 hours after conclusion of test XXXX-A-2. Fire department determined that carbon monoxide detectors malfunctioned and did not function as required. Cannot establish causal link to test XXXX-A-2.
Dr. xx's sister was admitted to the hospital two months after conclusion of test XXXX-A-2, suffering from facial paralysis affecting her right side. Initially diagnosed as Lyme disease, which was later ruled out. Medical tests are ongoing, however condition does not appear life-threatening. Dr. xx was a supervisor for test XXXX-A-2, but was not present at the time of the test itself. Cannot establish causal link to test XXXX-A-2.

Experiment log XXXX-A-3

Date: ██-██-██
Procedure: Procedure identical to test XXXX-A-2, except that D-class personnel was instructed to strike SCP-XXXX with a wooden mallet.
Results: Results identical to test XXXX-A-2.
Notes: D-class began complaining of severe stomach pains approximately 72 hours after conclusion of test XXXX-A-3. Later diagnosed as ulcerative colitis. Mother and father of D-class recorded major financial losses due to the simultaneous bankruptcy of several unrelated small corporations. Cannot establish causal links to test XXXX-A-3.

Experiment log XXXX-A-4

Date:██-██-██
Procedure: A standard bomb-disposal robot was fitted with a spring loaded wooden mallet. Assigned researcher Dr. xx controlled the robot from a secure location by a closed circuit video and audio link, and attempted to cause the robot to ring SCP-XXXX.
Results: Despite multiple attempts, neither Dr. ██, nor observing Drs.██, ██, and ██ saw the robot strike SCP-XXXX, and none reported any auditory feedback at any point during the test. As in previous tests, audio and visual recordings were interrupted immediately prior to the attempt to strike SCP-XXXX.
Notes: Dr. ██ (primary experimenter during test XXXX-A-4) was found dead in her office approximately 36 hours after conclusion of test XXXX-A-4. No cause of death could be established by Foundation coroners. Cannot establish causal links to test XXXX-A-4.

Experiment log XXXX-A-5
Date:██-██-██
Procedure: Procedure identical to test XXXX-A-4, except bomb disposal robot was programmed to strike SCP-XXXX without any outside input from Foundation researchers.
Results: Testing was interrupted due to containment breach of SCP-███. Alarms sounded immediately prior to the activation of the testing robot, requiring the evacuation of Laboratory Blocks A-E.
Notes: SCP-███ was contained within two hours, resulting in no injuries to Foundation staff. However test XXXX-A-5 was cancelled due to the activation of a low battery indicator on the testing robot.

Experiment log XXXX-A-6
Date:██-██-██
Procedure: Procedure identical to cancelled test XXXX-A-5.
Results: Results identical to test XXXX-A-4.
Notes: Fire alarm in Site-19 Dormitory Wing B was found to be malfunctioning, and was activating every quarter hour for a period of five minutes. Experiment head, Dr. xx's sleeping quarters are located in Dormitory Wing B.
Approximately two hours after conclusion of test XXXX-A-6, Dr. xx, who programmed the testing robot, received a phone call stating that his brother had been killed in a home invasion. Suspects are reported to have rang his doorbell, then kicked the door in when he answered. As in all previous tests, no causal links can be established to test XXXX-A-6.

Incident report:
Date:██-██-██
As SCP-XXXX was being repacked for transport to its containment locker, security officer ██ temporarily lost his grip on SCP-XXXX. SCP-XXXX rolled off its table in the testing facility, crushing the ribcage of security officer ██, who was directing the transport operation. Questioning of all present security officers indicate that none of them heard SCP-XXXX hit the floor, even though SCP-XXXX weighs nearly a quarter-ton.

Testing of SCP-XXXX was suspended indefinitely at this point, as the precise effects of further experimentation can be neither isolated nor protected against. Unless reliable safeguards can be developed, the safety of Foundation researchers cannot be guaranteed.

**Additional Notes: **On██-██-██, approximately three and a half years after conclusion of test XXXX-A-1, Site Director ██'s son suffered a stroke which led to locked-in syndrome. Site Director ██ was Director of Site-17 at the time of the diagnosis, however he was the Director of Site-19 when test XXXX-A-1 was approved and carried out. Cannot establish causal links to test XXXX-A-1, or subsequent testing.

Experiment log XXXX-A: Conclusions:
No causal link can be established between attempts to ring SCP-XXXX, and various events that have been observed after testing. However, the occurrence of these effects, consistent with local legends from ███, ████ as well as the overall unlikelihood of the events themselves, have led Foundation staff to conclude that the attempted ringing of SCP-XXXX does present major risks which cannot now be rigorously quantified.
While each event in and of itself may be considered a coincidence, the consistent occurrence of *some* unusual event after testing is now considered to be anomalous in nature.
If a causal link between attempted ringing of SCP-XXXX, and various observed events after testing is assumed, it remains unknown if these effects can be predicted with any reliability.
In addition, events after testing seem to imply that these risks apply both to the staff who carry out testing, and staff who approve or even observe testing.
It is unknown if the ringing of SCP-XXXX has been prevented due to its anomalous effects, or if its anomalous effects include the inability to observe its ringing.

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Author notes: All help and critique is appreciated, especially proper formatting. I had a lot of trouble with the experiment log formatting, so I have removed some of the formatting tags that were causing me problems.