Hank, do any of the materials mention legends or rituals tied to what's been done to Pryce?

Yes, two files, Hypothesized Mephetica Related Ritual Practices and Comparative Studies in Potential Mephetico Ritual Analogs, reference the same procedure.

Both cite a ritual described in a witch hunter's manual titled Umbrae Maleficarum, a lesser-known contemporary of the Malleus Maleficarum.

The ritual is identified as the Rite of the Man of Sins.

The rite is intended to purge a large population of sin through a single intermediary known as the Man of Sins.

This figure is fashioned from the disemboweled corpse of an individual believed to be the most grievous offender within a given community, often one accused of witchcraft or moral corruption.

Once the body has been emptied of its organs, the severed left hands and eyes of other notable transgressors are gathered and placed within it.

How specifically does the Man of Sins ritual tie into Mephetica?

Hank, what can you tell me about the name Margala as it pertains to the subject of Mephitica?

Of course, Dr. Zahra.

The name Margala likely refers to an early Mephitican fertility figure, widely believed to be a precursor to the Sumerian wind demon Lilitu, and later in Jewish mythology, the first bride of Adam, Lilith.

Margala is described as the consort of a wicked creature that escaped from Diabolon, a realm considered a forerunner to the concept of hell.

According to the tale, she bore the creature six children, three sons and three daughters, each said to be monstrous in form and nature.

Despite this, Margala is said to have defied her husband's command that she lie with other members of his grotesque retinue to produce more such abominations.

When he moved to punish her for this defiance, the six children intervened, rescuing their mother and fleeing with her into the unknown.

Hank, given all the information we've provided, along with our own written accounts of these events, what would you determine to be the origin of the high strangeness we've encountered?