Just Another Library

Summary:

A 4th dimensional Library that records almost everything. My first SCP, feedback and critiques are appreciated.

SCP based on a copy paste Library

Unusual Sombra 31 Dec 2019 22:40

Basically, this ‘safe’ 4th dimensional library has a tree inside it with a supernatural ability to copy anything made of plants (wood), and carbon (how carbon is related is due to the tree's carbon sequestration). So materials such as written paper documents, cotton clothing, housings, ancient artifacts, paintings, etc. can be copied by this tree. What limits it is how much the material is made of plant (wood) and/or carbon, for example, The tree (which would be labeled SCP-XXXX-A) can only copy the wood handle of a saw because the tool is about %30 metal, however it can copy a hammer in its entirely. The same concept would work on things that have a significant amount of plant (wood) and/or carbon in its ingredient. For the library itself, it will have a seemingly endless amount of floors and corridors, but it is only limited to how much total materials in the world exist, which means that the library will continuously expand over time.

+ show block

Like all libraries, this SCP will also have a librarian that is capable of pulling out anything the person needs at his/her request, the librarian is also capable of teleportation via doorway with anyone to whatever he/she desires. But, it has to be a thorough description or the librarian would be unable to fulfill the request.

Normal SCP researchers will have access to the library for testing but D-class will not be used. Standard security personnel will also be required to prevent any trespassers, due to the tree's roots it is impossible to relocate the library to any nearby Site's.

However, there is a twist, and comes when the researchers delve deeper into the library to find a section dedicated to all of the the foundations documents and findings held within filing cabinets. Any paper copies created by the foundation is held within the library bumping up the object class to Thaumiel.

This discovery would create paranoia within the upper echelon causing not only the security procedure to escalate to maximum, but for the file itself of the SCP will also be rewritten to become a false document, the real one will only be viewed by high ranking, to everyone else it will be viewed as just another SCP. To add to the paranoia a countermeasure is also created to prevent anyone else from gaining access to the SCP if containment should fail.

SCP-XXXX-A is also capable of copying certain SCP's, however most would either not retain the original ability or will be in a vegetative (but alive) state due to them not having a mind. That includes SCP's such as 085, 805, 1010, 1516, etc.

I will also dedicate a section to clarify that this SCP is in no way nearly as powerful as the wandering library as the SCP is only capable of copying things that ‘exists’ and within this reality/dimension.

TLDR: A library that works as a 'double-edged sword' to the foundation.

As a courtesy to our readers on mobile devices, please collapse long posts. ~Zyn

Last edited on 01 Jan 2020 02:22 by Unusual Sombra Show more

Re: SCP based on a copy paste Library

Doctor Fullham 01 Jan 2020 08:57

A few things (Actually a lot of things)...

Basically, this ‘safe’ 4th dimensional library

Can you define "4th dimensional" in this context? It just feels like sci-fi jargon here. Is it just in a different dimension? Its own dimension?

However, there is a twist, and comes when the researchers delve deeper into the library to find a section dedicated to all of the the foundations documents and findings held within filing cabinets. Any paper copies created by the foundation is held within the library bumping up the object class to Thaumiel.

How many paper copies do you the The Foundation keeps of really sensitive materials? How does this make it Thaumiel? It doesn't assist the Foundation in containing other SCPs, it just keeps a backup copy of whatever information they have on paper.

What limits it is how much the material is made of plant (wood) and/or carbon, for example, The tree (which would be labeled SCP-XXXX-A) can only copy the wood handle of a saw because the tool is about %30 metal, however it can copy a hammer in its entirely.

What determines this percentage? Overall mass? Because the metal head of a hammer comprises more of its mass than the wood handle because the metal is much more dense. And what's the actual specific % makeup cutoff?

Like all libraries, this SCP will also have a librarian that is capable of pulling out anything the person needs at his/her request

All libraries have this? Since when? I mean I haven't been to a library in a while but damn that is an upgrade!

the librarian is also capable of teleportation via doorway with anyone to whatever he/she desires. But, it has to be a thorough description or the librarian would be unable to fulfill the request.

I'm confused about what this sentence is trying to convey. The librarian can teleport anyone anywhere as long as there's a doorway and they can explain the location well? This seems like something The Foundation would definitely try to exploit for easy travel over large distances.

due to the tree's carbon sequestration

What is carbon sequestration? Your summary probably shouldn't send people to Google to understand it.

Normal SCP researchers will have access to the library for testing but D-class will not be used. Standard security personnel will also be required to prevent any trespassers, due to the tree's roots it is impossible to relocate the library to any nearby Site's.

Why no D-Class, even before the find the Foundation documents? What are they afraid of them finding there?

This discovery would create paranoia within the upper echelon causing not only the security procedure to escalate to maximum, but for the file itself of the SCP will also be rewritten to become a false document, the real one will only be viewed by high ranking, to everyone else it will be viewed as just another SCP. To add to the paranoia a countermeasure is also created to prevent anyone else from gaining access to the SCP if containment should fail.

Why? If they have this thing contained it seems easy to set up a small outpost within the library to guard that information the same way any other SCPs are guarded. Why have a fake article at all, why not just make the whole thing be high security?

SCP-XXXX-A is also capable of copying certain SCP's, however most would either not retain the original ability or will be in a vegetative (but alive) state due to them not having a mind. That includes SCP's such as 085, 805, 1010, 1516, etc.

This just seems like unnecessary cross-linking, and see my later comment about carbon-based life forms.

I will also dedicate a section to clarify that this SCP is in no way nearly as powerful as the wandering library as the SCP is only capable of copying things that ‘exists’ and within this reality/dimension.

Having a whole section devoted to "No really guys it's different" feels kind of indicative that it's….not?

I have to agree with JakdragonX, this concept seems kind of all over the place and the Library seems just way too powerful. There are also a really important part left unanswered that should really be in the summary, namely: How is The Foundation actually containing this thing? If it's "4th-dimensional", how do they know there's only one entrance?

You also really need to define the tree's abilities better. It seems like it can only replicate things that are composed of a majority of wood and/or carbon - that would not mean it can replicate, say, a human, even though we are "carbon-based" life forms; Hydrogen is the most common element in the human body in the form of water molecules. Carbon makes up a measly 18% of our mass in comparison to water's 60% (Which would make Hydrogen about 40% as there are 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen atoms in a water molecule). But what about composite materials like steel, made of iron and carbon? Can it replicate only the carbon? Or would it just fail entirely? The "copying" power of the tree seems ill-defined and the definition you do have seems scientifically inconsistent.

Was everything in the library made by this tree? If so, how did it make filing cabinets - are they wood too? How does it have all these Foundation documents when it seems like their main method is now digital storage? If every extant copy of a thing is destroyed, does the Library's copy disappear too?

There's just….so much here. I don't want to discourage you but this seems really complex for a first contribution and just too similar to the Wanderer's Library. If you do want to proceed with this idea, I recommend shelving it for now and starting with something on a smaller scale.

Re: Just Another Library - CANNOT GREENLIGHT

JakdragonX 01 Jan 2020 02:54

Alright, heres my crit:

This Is a Bit Lengthy

(NOTE: I've just went and critiqued this post already. Sadly my webpage refreshed before I could save it. So, this is the summary)

You're concept is too confusing for me. I dont understand the purpose of your -A (the tree). It doesn't tie very well with your Library at all. Your Library is also very confusing. It feels extremely overpowered and I still do not understand what the Library actually has. What do the books say? To me it seems like it highlights all the history of either the world or the universe. This seems a bit tropey and not entertaining to read. Also, theres only a set amount of "matter" in the universe, so I dont really understand how your Library constantly expands over time.

You're narrative is also wonky for me. From what you've presented, the biggest worry the Foundation has for this item is that someone will encounter the documents about the Foundation. However, I find this to be highly improbable, considering that by this point the Foundation already has a presence around it. Also, if it constantly expands, the probability that someone will find the documents concerning the SCP Foundation is also highly improbable.

The mention of having the higher-ups involve themselves with this SCP will need an extremely solid argument. From what you've presented, I just dont see that argument forming. Yes, theres always a risk of information being leaked. But it's hard to leak that information if the people who find it dont even know what it is (if that makes sense.) Also, the inclusion that the -A can make SCPS is also extremely far-fetched (even if they cant produce exact copies.) If you decide to do this, you'll might have to PM all of the authors who wrote the SCPS you're mentioning, as it would be unfair for them if you just went out and put them in your article.

My conclusion is that you should specify how this concept actually functions. Try to "ground" it and make it less overpowered. You may also remove the -A or the Library and only focus on one or the other. Your narrative also needs work in terms of the series of events that give it reasons enough for the O5 (I'm assuming) to be involved, and other plausible reasons for people not associated with the Foundation to see these documents. The narrative also seems quite predictable, and maybe not enticing to read for some audiences.

Of course, this is only my opinion. If you wish for a more detailed review, please PM me at any time. If you do decide to continue with this concept, and you make any changes or wish for greenlights, head over to this link: http://www.scp-wiki.net/butterfly-squad-roster to find experienced authors who can help assist you.

Have a great day!

Last edited on 01 Jan 2020 05:20 by JakdragonX Show more

Re: Just Another Library - CANNOT GREENLIGHT

Unusual Sombra 01 Jan 2020 05:42

Thank you for the critique, the information for the concept is very broad due to the fact that I have only 500 words to cram as much information about the concept as I can, the overall document of this SCP is estimated to be around 8,000+ words detailing each of the library and the -A's abilities and purpose, in short the library and the tree has a symbiotic relationship. I have a sandbox that is currently WIP that is probably 50% complete so I can post the link if you want to read.

Last edited on 01 Jan 2020 05:44 by Unusual Sombra Show more

Re: Just Another Library - CANNOT GREENLIGHT

JakdragonX 01 Jan 2020 06:12

Hey, I completely understand! This is only a concept, so my apologies if it seems like what I presented was a bit much for what you're looking for.

Also, +8,000 is a LOT of words for a SCP article. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try it! But just know that the longer your SCP articles are, the harder it is for readers to want to keep reading it. Typically, it's a good practice to wait on drafting until your concept has its two greenlights. This is to avoid putting so much work into an already flawed concept.

Finally, I still believe that both the tree and the library are a bit too much. There is very little connection between the two so far in just this concept. I also think the narrative is both too predictable and too "happenstance" for many readers to enjoy reading. Once again, those are only my opinions. Best of luck to you!

Last edited on 01 Jan 2020 06:13 by JakdragonX Show more

Re: Just Another Library

Zyn 01 Jan 2020 20:39

As a general note:

Any paper copies created by the foundation is held within the library bumping up the object class to Thaumiel.

Seeing as the library itself isn't actually containing any anomalies (just paper copies), this doesn't make it a Thaumiel class. Also, given that it seems like the Foundation has no control over the library and it's unpredictable whether it will go along with being helpful, it's definitely not something the Foundation would rely on for containment. Not Thaumiel.

All that said… this feels like an excessively overblown version of the Wanderers' Library (associated with the Group of Interest, the Serpent's Hand, and we have an entire sister site based on the Library and its works: http://wanderers-library.wikidot.com/) with a bunch of extra stuff added on. If you want readers to be interested in finishing the whole read, ideally you'd do some trimming to not only make this more distinct from the WL, but also avoid overloading a reader with a bunch of extraneous statistics and facts that they might find more distracting and a slog to read than interesting.