To the Esteemed and Honorable Major Ujma of the Marai Empire,

I trust this letter finds you in good health and unwavering spirits. As your loyal servant and agent, I write to you from the distant and frigid region of Aviera, where I have been tirelessly investigating the ominous surge of demons and chaos that has plagued our great continent of Kartas for the past two years. Despite our relentless efforts, we have yet to unearth the cause of this dark and malevolent phenomenon. However, I am compelled to share with you a recent and alarming development that could potentially shed new light on our harrowing predicament.

During my inquiries in the treacherous lands of Aviera, I have pursued a lead concerning a dire warning message that Archon Aki of the enigmatic Viptes Order dispatched to neighboring kingdoms. My findings reveal that the Viptes Order executed a daring and well-timed assault on a clandestine gathering of Abyssal Cultists, thwarting a sinister ritual of human sacrifice. These abhorrent cultists, hitherto unknown to us, are believed to possess the knowledge and profane ability to summon demons through their heinous acts - a fact that sends shivers down my spine.

The Viptes' own investigation divulged that the Abyssal Cult had orchestrated the abduction of several hundred children approximately two and a half years ago. Their method of abduction was chillingly calculated and insidious: they abducted only one child from each general area, ensuring that the local authorities would not detect a large-scale pattern. These malevolent cultists traversed thousands of miles across multiple countries, further reducing suspicion. Regrettably, most of the children abducted were from impoverished peasant families who lacked the means to seek justice, and as such, this sinister pattern likely eluded the notice of most nations.

Upon speaking with the enigmatic Archon Aki, I gleaned new information that raised further concerns. According to the Archon, who has personally interacted with two survivors of the interrupted ritual, he discovered that these children were kidnapped from small, unassuming fishing and farming villages in our very own empire – lands thousands of miles away from the cold mountains of Aviera. The Viptes Order, with their limited knowledge and resources, has been unable to locate the families of these lost souls. I fear that even our esteemed organization would face insurmountable difficulty identifying the correct unnamed village amongst the countless number that exist in the Empire. Consequently, despite being our citizens, I believe it is in their best interests to remain under the protection of the Viptes Order. I have interacted with them and determined that they are being well cared for in their newfound sanctuary.

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These two survivors are the only ones to have escaped the clutches of the Abyssal Cult in this particular incident. Archon Aki has advised, and I concur, that we must urgently compile a list of names of children who have gone missing in our empire. The rescued children provided a list of two dozen other names they had heard during their captivity – some of which suggest they might also have been our citizens. I have attached this list of missing children's names for your inspection.

The Archon harbors the chilling belief that their successful intervention was but a rare exception, and that countless other rituals have been carried out unhindered across the entire continent. I am inclined to believe the Archon's words and I implore you, the esteemed Council, to consider this harrowing information with the gravity it deserves. I strongly recommend that our department investigate the possibility of missing children across multiple provinces from two and a half to three years ago and remain vigilant for any ongoing abductions. The number of shadows and demons on Kartas has only grown with each passing year, and there is a terrifying likelihood that this ritual sacrifice of our children continues even now, hidden in the shadows.

May the blessings of Mahedhras protect the Empire.

In devoted service,

Atli