SCP-049 is contained within a Standard Secure Humanoid Containment Cell in Research Sector-02 at Site-19. SCP-049 must be sedated before any attempts to transport it. During transport, SCP-049 must be secured within a Class III Humanoid Restriction Harness (including a locking collar and extension restraints) and monitored by no fewer than two armed guards.
While SCP-049 is generally cooperative with most Foundation personnel, outbursts or sudden changes in behaviour are to be met with elevated force. Under no circumstances should any personnel come into direct contact with SCP-049 during these outbursts. In the event SCP-049 becomes aggressive, the application of lavender (L. multifida) has been shown to produce a calming effect on the entity. Once calmed, SCP-049 generally becomes compliant, and will return to containment with little resistance.
What is SCP-049?
SCP-049 is an entity that resembles a medieval plague doctor. You might think that the suit is clothing, but it’s actually part of its body—the white mask even has a bone structure underneath. The black robe is believed to be the equivalent of its skin.
Now, what does SCP-049 do? It has the habit of selecting random individuals and declaring that they are “infected by the plague” and must be cured. SCP-049 then proceeds to “cure” them by killing them through a simple touch. After that, it performs a surgical procedure, lasting about 20 minutes,on the body. To avoid being disturbed during the operation, SCP-049 will kill anyone nearby. Once the procedure is complete, the subject is reanimated, but now acts like a zombie and attacks anyone around them. These reanimated corpses are classified as SCP-049-2.
SCP-049 is generally not aggressive as long as it does not perceive a “plague” in someone. Because of this, the Foundation has contained and utilized it for multiple research purposes, as the risks are relatively low (especially compared to SCP-682, for example). For many years, the Foundation believed the entity was incapable of speech. However, it was later revealed that SCP-049 can communicate fluently in English. During one recorded incident, Doctor Haam was documenting his latest analysis when SCP-049 suddenly spoke, mistaking the scientist for a medical doctor. SCP-049 then complimented the cleanliness of the facility and the absence of “the plague”. It was later discovered that SCP-049’s behavior had notably changed after an encounter with SCP-035.
Below you can find an extract of the discussion, the interesting part is that SCP-049 acknowledge his cure is not yet effective, it make me wonder what would be an effective cure for him ?
Dr. Hamm: You think you cured those people?
SCP-049: Indeed. My cure is most effective.
Dr. Hamm: The things we recovered were not human.
SCP-049: (Pauses and glares at Dr. Hamm) Yes, well, it is not a perfect cure. But that will come with time. And further experimentation! I have spent a lifetime developing my methods, Dr. Hamm, and will spend a lifetime more, if necessary. Now, we have wasted too much time. There is work to do! I will require a laboratory of my own, one where I can continue my research unimpeded. And assistants, of course, though I can provide those on my own, in time. (Laughs)
It would be fascinating to see if SCP-049 can detect this “plague” in other SCP entities. This could provide insight into whether SCP-049 might be able to terminate SCP-682—or how SCP-682 might adapt to avoid death. To this day, it remains unknown what SCP-049 detects in its victims that makes it decide they are infected.