The Serpent's Hand is a prominent and complex “Group of Interest” (GOI) within the SCP Foundation universe, and because it is a decentralized, ideologically driven movement, its lore is extensive and varied across different stories and “canons”. The most comprehensive descriptions of its nature and goals are found in collaborative narratives and tales, particularly those focused on the Wanderer's Library. 

Overview: A para-environmentalist resistance

The Serpent's Hand is a leaderless, militant resistance movement dedicated to liberating and protecting anomalous entities and spreading awareness of the anomalous to humanity. They view the SCP Foundation as “Jailers” and the Global Occult Coalition (GOC) as “Book Burners,” and actively oppose both for their respective policies of containment and outright destruction of the anomalous. 

The group's structure is fluid and decentralized. Anyone can claim to be a member by simply believing in its core philosophy and acting in its name. This means the movement can include everything from peaceful scholars and researchers to radical terrorists. Many members are themselves anomalous or have close personal connections to anomalous individuals. 

History and origins

The history of the Serpent's Hand is intentionally shrouded in myth and mystery, with different lore suggesting various origins. 

• Ancient knowledge cult: Some versions of its history trace the group back to ancient times, as a warrior cult called the “Hand of the Serpent.” This early iteration worshipped a “Serpent” as a god of knowledge and the creator of the Wanderer's Library, a nexus of all realities.

• Modern revival: The modern Serpent's Hand is believed to have been formed in the 20th century by individuals inspired by the teachings of this ancient cult. They dedicated themselves to revealing the true nature of the anomalous world to humanity and came into conflict with the Foundation and GOC.

• A “growing hand”: A popular piece of lore proposes that the movement's name comes from an analogy of a snake growing a human arm. This arm, though initially foreign and painful, eventually gives the snake a new perspective on the world. This represents the hand of humanity accepting and integrating the anomalous, rather than fearing and caging it. 

Access to the Wanderer's Library

A key element of Serpent's Hand lore is its connection to the Wanderer's Library, an extradimensional hub that contains an infinite collection of stories, knowledge, and records from across all realities. 

• Headquarters and hub: Most members of the Hand access the Library through interdimensional portals known as “Ways,” using it as a headquarters, a safe haven, and a source of vast information.

• Protectors of knowledge: While they utilize the library, they do not own or run it. Their purpose is also to protect this repository of knowledge, which puts them at odds with the GOC, whom they refer to as “Book Burners”.

• Exclusion: The Library is a neutral space, but agents of the Foundation and GOC are not permitted entry. 

Goals and motivations

The Serpent's Hand's objectives are complex and rooted in a deep-seated philosophical opposition to containment and secrecy. 

• Liberation of anomalies: They actively seek to free anomalous beings, especially sapient ones, from captivity. The phrase “Free those you keep imprisoned, rescue those you try to kill” encapsulates this goal.

• Revelation of the anomalous: They oppose the “Veil,” the Foundation's policy of keeping the anomalous secret from the public. They believe humanity has a right to know and co-exist with the anomalous, treating it as a natural part of existence.

• Advocacy for anomalous rights: They advocate for the ethical treatment and human rights of anomalous entities.

• Moral complexity: While generally portrayed as “anti-villains,” their methods and the interpretation of their goals can vary. Some members are violent and radical, willing to take extreme action, while others are peaceful scholars. In some stories, their idealism is portrayed as naive, potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes by releasing malevolent entities.