SCP Foundation

While it is true that Diana/Artemis ≠ Luna/Selene and Apollo ≠ Sol/Helios (strictly speaking), their similar domains tend to have these deities mixed into each other. And going by interpretatio romana, people tend to select aspects of their deities to form some level of coherency. The founders of Luna Primogenita likely saw a bit of Apollo and Sol in the sun deity pitched by Elagabalus and Aurelian.

I did play with the moon cult being alive to this day, but I thought back to all the SCPs that involve cults and I think we need a dead cult for once.

P.S. The ending implies that the cult sacrificed themselves to prevent the statue to be destroyed by the legions or Christians, in an effort to preserve the main aspect of their faith. The people are killed, but the idea remains.

1) It's main solar effect seems like a watered-down version of SCP-1008. It's interesting that the fisherman experience physiological consequences from moonlight (although I'm not clear on how that happens, more below), although attributing physical maladies to it… also leans back towards 1008. I think the historical angle is interesting enough to lend this some weight, but it's still mighty similar.

Also,

altering the sensory perception of the Moon and Sun for individuals who have observed SCP-2248-A or an image of it (hereon referred to as subjects).

Seems redundant, given that you immediately describe those effects.

2) Similarly, the description of the blinding of the fishermen seemed like a repetition of the section on moonlight, although I'm very unclear on how they were blinded. I mean, if moonlight essentially becomes as effective as sunlight for them, wouldn't their reflexes to occasionally shade their eyes, blink, or not stare at the Sun/Moon just adjust? I mean, those are generally automatic, physiological responses.

3) Tense issue:

When initially discovered, the plant species… are found in SCP-2248. Seeds… are found as well,

"When initially discovered" indicating a past event, followed by current-tense verbs. Drove me batty.

4)

SCP-2248-A is classified as a Type DV cognitohazard

I'm all for crafting new terminology, but when I scrolled down to see that it just meant "Direct Visual," it felt like a waste of my effort. It seemed like something that didn't need to be summarized, like a useless bureaucratic gesture rather than a helpful designation for a complex effect.

This isn't something like Type 2 Poltergeist, which suggests a vast expertise on something the author doesn't need to expound. I'd be more comfortable with something like IINDV Cognitohazard for "Immediate Isolated Non-reversible Direct Visual." Just some kind of demonstration that you're really packing in the information, rather than shifting half a sentence about photography into a footnote.

5) Positive point, I can imagine all kinds of narratives arising from this, which is great. Legionary and priestly adherents of Sol Invictus dragged before the statue to deprive them of their God. Members of the cult stealthily overtaking Legion positions at night, only to be slaughtered wholesale in their blinded condition in the following daylight. Neat stuff.

a temple complex with an area of approximately 20 m²

While a 4m x 5m structure isn't a small shrine, I have difficulty accepting it as a temple complex with a central chamber. Even going up to 200m² would still only be around 20m x 10m, which is small enough to hide on the island, and you wouldn't have to make it that large.

A sign in front of SCP-2248 labels the site as "Templum Luna Primogenita".

This was jarring both from the use of the phrase "sign in front" (which suggests a museum label - I'm not aware of that kind of practice in Roman temples generally) and the idea that a persecuted cult wanting to worship their sacred statue in secret would stick a sign on the front for helpful reference.

One possible solution is to delete the sentence entirely. It's clear by the end of the draft what the temple is. If you want to give readers a helpful signpost, however, perhaps you could replace the sign in front of the temple with an inscription on the temple ("Gloria lunae primogenitus" or something that actually has correct Latin grammar).

I feel like the section on plants could be streamlined, as I found it a significant speedbump while reading. Perhaps:

When initially discovered, the plant species Amaranthus blitum (purple amaranth) and Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean cypress) were found in SCP-2248. Despite SCP-2248 possessing suitable conditions for plant growth, seeds from at least 20 other species were found ungerminated. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the oldest seeds present are dated to circa 200 – 260 CE.¹

Plant species from outside the genus Amaranthus and Cupressus that are replanted into SCP-2248 show no signs of growth and will gradually wither. Notably, plants under the genus Myrtus and Laurus and their seeds will undergo spontaneous combustion within 24 hours of being placed into SCP-2248.

Got a chance to talk to MrWrong about this one, and it came up that SCP-2248's effect would also work on SCP-2995 and SCP-1812, and would not work on SCP-756 or SCP-1483 As such, I am recommending the following edits that MrWrong suggested:

Changing this:

Subjects are able to see under low light conditions when the Moon is visible in the night sky, and are susceptible to retinopathy through direct observation of the Moon. In addition, erythema is common among subjects who have prolonged exposure to moonlight.

To this:

Subjects are able to see under low light conditions when the Moon is visible in the night sky, and are susceptible to retinopathy through direct observation of the Moon. In addition, erythema is common among subjects who have prolonged exposure to moonlight. When subjects observe SCP-1812, the probabilities of retinopathy and/or heatstroke are significantly increased due to [REDACTED].

Changing this:

In contrast, subjects experience visual impairment on nights with a new moon, during daytime or during a lunar eclipse. They are also capable of viewing the Sun directly without detriment, claiming that the Sun is perpetually in a solar eclipse. In addition, they do not suffer from erythema or other symptoms of sunburn despite prolonged exposure to sunlight.

To this:

In contrast, subjects experience visual impairment on nights with a new moon, during daytime or during a lunar eclipse. They are also capable of viewing the Sun directly without detriment, claiming that the Sun is perpetually in a solar eclipse. In addition, they do not suffer from erythema or other symptoms of sunburn despite prolonged exposure to sunlight. The aforementioned traits are similarly present when subjects observe SCP-2995, but not the Suns in SCP-756 or selected extra-dimensional locations (e.g. Universe B-10208-Alpha-1483).

If anyone has other/better examples that could be used here please leave a comment saying so!