 Item No. SCP-1230 Object Class Safe Special Containment Procedures SCP-1230 is to be kept in a secure storage locker at Site-12. Access required mental and clearance too, with authorization and supervision by Clarence III Research and Security Staff respectively. Accessing personnel are not the view SCP-1230's contents. Personnel accessing SCP-1230 are required to submit written accounts of dreams experienced within 48 hours of access. See Addendum 1230A SCP-1230 has been relocated to a secure storage locker behind the desk of Site-12's main library. Access is available to Clarence II personnel deemed to be in satisfactory psychological condition by Site Psychiatric staff. Personnel accessing SCP-1230 must submit written accounts of their dreams within 48 hours of access and submit the follow-up psychological examination. Description SCP-1230 is an unlabeled, green hardcover book with no apparent exceptional qualities. When SCP-1230 is opened, it displays the phrase, a hero is born, on the first page viewed, while all other pages will be blank, resetting once the book is closed. This has no obvious effects at first, but upon falling asleep, the reader will dream of a fantasy world where they are the protagonists of a troubled land. Dreamers are completely aware and all senses work just as well as when awake. Dreams vary, depending on the imagination of the reader, and are mostly attuned to fantasies of adventure that the reader would enjoy. In the mind of the reader, these dreams have been documented to last anywhere from 45 seconds, see Experiment 1230-3 to 200 years, see Experiment 1230-5, but in reality, the reader will usually never be asleep longer than they would normally. Upon awaking, the reader is able to remember every aspect of their dream in detail. In SCP-1230 Induced Dreams, there is always a character called the Bookkeeper, SCP-1230-1, appearing as a bearded man in a green cloak who claims to be the personification of SCP-1230 himself. SCP-1230-1 has been reported to be very amicable and helpful towards dreamers. It has stated that it enjoys creating these fantasy scapes and always tries to shape them in such a way that the dreamer gathers the most entertainment out of it. It has expressed sorrow when the dream comes to an end and asked the dreamer to please visit again soon. Discovery In a small bookstore located ████, the shopkeeper had no recollection of owning the unlabeled book, but attempted to sell a story to local newspapers about a magical dream book. The Foundation was able to dispel the story of the hoax, and SCP-1230 was confiscated. Experiment 1230-01 Dr. ████ in an attempt to test his effective range opened SCP-1230 and boarded a flight to his hometown of ████, where he spent the night at a hotel. Upon his return, Dr. ████ reported that SCP-1230-1 appeared in his dreams and explained that once you read, a hero is born, the dream is immediately implanted into your subconscious, after which SCP-1230-1 is able to manipulate it remotely. Experiment 1230-02 A camera was set up above SCP-1230, and, using a mechanical arm, the book was opened. All pages were revealed to be blank. It seems SCP-1230 is only effective when opened by beings that are able to have dreams. SCP-1230-1 explained to a subsequent dreamer that it is actually only able to affect beings with an imagination, and that most creatures such as animals would not be affected. Experiment 1230-03 One D-Class was instructed to open the book, and, after much reassurance at his experiences would only be dreams, ordered to immediately find a way to kill himself in the dream. The subject was asleep for merely 45 seconds before he awoke with a start and a nervous sweat. He reported being at the summit of a volcano called the Ashen Spire, on a quest for Caladius, the Blessed Blade. When asked how the subject knew the names, he stated, it's like I knew them all along. He apparently leapt into the volcano and felt an intense heat before awakening. D-Class requested permission to give it another go. Request was denied. Experiment 1230-04 One D-Class was instructed to open the book, and attempt to non-fatally injure himself with his dreams. After six hours, the D-Class awoke and reported that he was able to feel a numb sort of pain where it was never so intense as to be unbearable. He also reported meeting an elderly cloaked man who asked him why he was harming himself, but thanked him for not immediately killing himself like that other rude fellow. Experiment 1230-05 Professor ████ filed a request for access to SCP-1230 and was quickly permitted, given his level 4 clearance. Staff members recalled that Professor ████ was almost visibly shaking with excitement, and some reported that Professor ████ was an avid fan of tabletop and role-playing games. Surveillance shows that Professor ████ opened the book, read the phrase, sat down beside the desk, and promptly fell asleep. Staff members were alarmed when Professor ████ did not awake after fifteen hours and alerted security. The on-site medical staff were able to confirm that Professor ████ was still alive and in good health. After approximately twenty-four hours since falling asleep, Professor ████ began to move, reported to have solely raised his head and looked around the room, appearing deeply confused. Security entered a room to ensure he was alright, to which he replied, Where am I? He was sent to medical, where staff explained where and who he was. Several minutes later, Professor ████ appeared to have regained his memory and excused himself to the restroom. When fifteen minutes passed and Professor ████ had not exited, a nurse entered to find he had hanged himself with his belt. A scribbled message on the wall revealed his last words, I can't go back to this. Dr ████ went to ask SCP-1230-1 what had happened, but upon opening SCP-1230, all of its pages were soaking wet with the same message on every page. I'm so sorry, I never intended for this to happen. I just wanted to make people happy, repeated, over and over. SCP-1230 remained in this state for three weeks, and its desk had to be wiped dry biweekly. In an attempt to communicate, Dr ████ placed a sticky note inside SCP-1230 with the statement, I'd like to talk to you, if that's alright. The next morning, Dr ████ filed a report about a dream he had concerning SCP-1230-1. SCP-1230-14 Upon falling asleep last night, I dreamt I was in a dark void, there was a street lamp, and underneath it was SCP-1230-1 sitting in a puddle. His cloak was visibly soaked, and he was sobbing profusely. I remember our conversation. Dr ████, is that you? My god man, where are we? Why? Couldn't think of anything to make for a landscape. Bookkeeper, what happened that day? Why did Professor ████ kill himself? We have to know your side of the story. He had such an active imagination. I was able to create a vast and beautiful universe for him, and it was obvious that he had wanted a life like that for so long. He conquered foul beasts and rescued princesses. He built kingdoms and even raised a family, but he never wanted to leave. He delved so far into his fantasy world that I soon realized he preferred his dream over the real world. I reminded him that this was all merely an illusion, but he wouldn't listen to me. He stated that if he was ever forced to leave, he would immediately end his life. I tried to keep him happy for as long as I could. Bookkeeper, how long was the dream from his point of view? Two hundred years, doctor. I did my best, but I could only hold on to him for two hundred years. As sweet as dreams may be, eventually we all have to wake up. I awoke almost immediately after. I can't believe he spent two hundred years in his dream. I'm astounded by his foolishness, but it's such a shame to have lost a brilliant mind to his own delusions. Shortly after the report was filed, surveillance showed Dr. Blank slipping another small paper in the SCP-1230. A few days later, SCP-1230 began showing as usual a hero was born greeting once again. When asked what the note said, Dr. Blank declined to give detailed comment, simply stating that he just gave it some friendly advice. Addendum 1230-A During initial testing, SCP-1230-1 asked dreaming personnel if it could be relocated to an area with many books, preferably fiction, so that it could think of even better ways to construct its fantasy scapes. After numerous experiments were performed to ensure the SCP-1230 posed no threat, the request was accepted, and SCP-1230 had been relocated to Site-12's library.