The God of Flayed Clowns
tagshow
Registered Phenomena Code: 571
Object Class: Gamma-Yellow
| Hazard Types:Additional Properties: |  Grouped |
 Emotional |
 Ideological |
 Info-Hazard |
Containment Protocol:
Due to the unpredictable emergence of RPC-571 and the covert nature of RPC-571-1 instances, proactive containment is unfeasible. RPC-571-1 instances perceive this metaphorical entity as the embodiment of their shared beliefs.
In the event that an RPC-571-1 instance is encountered, whether in the field or during protocol, staff are instructed to immediately recite the following affirmations:
Your life has meaning.
Harmony is a simple truth.
Ignorance is weakness.
You will die.
You are not to be ridiculed or pitied.
Pain is real.
Reject the disfigurer.
Be not afraid.
Description:
RPC-571 -1 instance in Site-070's head administrive department. (1982)
RPC-571 is a memetic philosophical theory that revolves around the examples of an archetypal deity typically known as the “God of Flayed Clowns." RPC-571-1 perceives this metaphorical entity as the embodiment of their shared beliefs.
This worship manifests as an absurdist worldview centered on both physical and emotional masochism. Affected individuals, hereafter referred to as RPC-571-1, often engage in self-harming rituals to “bring change in the world around them.”
RPC-571 manifests predominantly through the logical deduction of the nature of humanity and suffering. This phenomenon occurs randomly, whereby any human may become an instance of RPC-571-1 upon arriving at a philosophical conclusion about the nature of reality that aligns with RPC-571's intellectual framework.
RPC-571's philosophy, "Flagellatism," is inherently nonsensical and contradictory. Its principles can only be fully understood by RPC-571-1 instances. Despite the variations in beliefs regarding the practice of Flagellatism across recorded RPC-571 cultures, eight core tenets are universally observed.
Covet no purpose.
Individuality is a paradox.
Wisdom is your enemy.
Death is absurd, it is foolish to infer it.
Subject yourself to mockery and sympathy.
Smile and laugh, in spite of your pain.
Honor that which has disfigured you.
Do not look directly at the face of God.
Young member of RPC-571 depicted by Kōtarō Migishi (1929)
These 8 tenets are further explored in the text: "The Flagellation Pathway" by Joseph Grimaldi1 in 1830, when the first major Cult of the God of Flayed Clowns was established in England and Italy. His primary objective was to raise awareness of the existence of clowns.
RPC-571-1 instances that adhere to the prescribed tenets for an extended duration experience a gradual onset of permanent mental disorders, notably pseudobulbar affect (PBA),2 sexual masochism disorder (SMD), and catatonic schizophrenia.
Alongside these psychological changes, physiological mutations also manifest. The tendons of RPC-571-1 tend to increase in elasticity, enabling them to voluntarily dislocate and relocate their joints. Their cervical spine also transforms into a cancellous bone structure, causing them to tilt and rest their heads at unusual angles for comfort.
Higher-sequence RPC-571-1 instances exhibit advanced spiritual intuition concerning the mental states of nearby human subjects and the nature of the infoplane, often described in RPC-571 texts as the "spiritual world of forms." This level of spiritual insight is comparable to that of a mystic or advanced thaumaturge, and may occasionally result in extremely minor reality-bending phenomena. RPC-571 extends into a thaumaturgic art focused on illusions and superhuman athleticism, a discipline closely guarded by high-sequence RPC-571-1 priests.
A common trait among cultists is the use of masks to “change their identity,” along with a cultural affinity for music and theatre. As both a philosophical framework and an aesthetic sensibility, RPC-571 predates the modern concept of the clown and may have existed as far back as the early 16th century. The core tenets of Flagellatism have remained unchanged throughout this time.
Addendum 571.A: Incidence Report
The Harlequin or Arlecchino
The Wild Man
Addendum 571.B: Historical Record
The archetype of the "Flayed Clown" has existed since ancient Mesopotamia, the depictions and renditions of it going through a cultural evolution as the contemporary collective unconscious changes with time. Despite being closely associated with Nihil cults, their spiritual theology goes against the conventional gnostic teachings of the ancient and medieval Nihil religions.3
The earliest insertion of the jester comes from the Harlequin archetype of the Italian Commedia dell'arte in the 16th century. The role of the character was to be a mischievous servant who outsmarted his opponents using his wit and supernatural powers, bringing elements of drama and comedy to the stage.
According to historian Palleschi in his essay: The Art of Commedia: A Study in the Commedia dell'arte 1560–1620, the character and appearance of the Harlequin were likely inspired by visions of a “deformed human” induced by psychedelics and █████ depictions of demonic entities. Early adopters of the Commedia were said to have later mortified their own flesh as penance for creating the art.4
Many portrayals of the character attribute the Harlequin’s supernatural powers to demonic origins. Early stories link the figure to ancient pagan nature spirits such as the Wild Men5 or the psychopomps reminiscent of Pluto or Hades. Since the invention of the Harlequin, the archetype of the "witty fool" will be associated in some way to violence, either to the self, or to others.
Joseph Grimaldi as Clown Joey
Cultural alchemy of Flagellatism
The archetype of the modern clown was soon realized by Joseph Grimaldi, who turned Clownery into an art form. Using his Freemasonic ties, many of his performances were often imbued with biblical themes or symbolically gnostic rituals. He would also formalize Flagellatism into a collection of religious and scholarly texts for future followers of the tradition to read from.
Grimaldi's modern clown is heavily influenced by the Rākshasa of Hindu myth and religion6 Many of his performances mimic the physical postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) of the Rākshasas, as well as the race's general aesthetics. Censored accounts of derivative clown theatre performances mention the use of "skinned men"7 decorated in bodypaint reminiscent of the harlequin.
The 19th century witnessed a significant shift towards the development of various philosophical theories and frameworks. The intelligentsias in Austria and Russia were particularly notable for formulating new political ideologies rooted in nihilism while in the West, new-age spirituality began to take form as the West would intermingle with Eastern cultural ideas. The emerging theories of this time were often inspired by Renaissance occult concepts such as Flagellatism.
Adopters of RPC-571 after Grimaldi would add to the concept of the clown by incorporating diverse cultural elements from around the globe in an effort to trace the true origin of the "flayed clown" archetype. Malevolent "clown-like" entities are documented across various cultures, including those in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Nihil scholars hypothesize that these manifestations represent a form of ancestral worship directed toward an ancient race of giant beings characterized by pale skin and red hair, bearing a resemblance to the modern clown.8
Addendum 571.C: Site-070
From 2007-2014, the management and confinement of RPC-571 was temporarily taken over by Site-070 and Site-██. The head researchers of Site-070 follow a branch of the Cult of the God of Flayed Clowns called the "Pierro Decorticate".