Signs of things to come.

[channe]

The incendiary signs have begun popping up all over Myrken Wood, including a few at the Broken Dagger: signs that, while worded, are obviously meant to communicate to the illiterate crowd as well. None of the responsible parties stick around long enough to take credit for their work, although one of the minor tailors has said that a chandler's apprentice was seen with hammer and nail not long after a few showed up posted in the main square of Myrkentown...

---

The first poster features a recognizable caricature of Altias Bromn with a bold black question mark drawn beside it.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?
NEITHER HAVE WE

---

The next shows a drow, thin and barbaric and slavering blood from its teeth, running a sword through a screaming baby. Nearby, men wearing Straka tabards are dicing and boozing, unaware of the plight of the child.

MOTHERS: THEY DO NOT CARE
THEY WILL NOT SAVE YOU

---

In the third, Treadwell-esque figures surround a table, laughing at a jester who capers and smiles. In the background, Myrkentown burns, with women leaning out of windows bursting with flame, their mouths open in silent screams.

YOUR COUNCIL PLAYS AND SLEEPS
WHILE MYRKENWOOD BURNS

AT NIGHT THEY HIDE BEHIND THEIR WALLS
WE ONLY HAVE OUR FEAR

---

All posters are signed with a distinctive sigil and the legend: "People of Myrken-Wood."

[Rattrap]

Captain Thomas Daniels read the first of the signs he saw with that ever present frown, tearing it from the wall to study it closer. His expression didn't really change as his eyes wandered down the page. Finished, it was dropped to the ground near where it was posted.

The writing was in great error to place Straka and the Council and Myrken Wood as seperate entities; they were all very much in the same boat. The Councilors died like everyone else; many wearing Straka colors were those mothers who were losing children to Myrken's newest plague.

A sergeant stood nearby, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it, Captain. People always need a scape goat. They don't want to take responsibility for their own situations."

Thomas nodded so lightly his head almost didn't move; he remained stationary, brow furrowed in thought. A few moments passed before the Captain's companion spoke up: "Captain?"

Thomas turned to the Sergeant: "Sergeant, go home."

The Captain's companion was naturally confused: "What?"

"We're finished. Go home and protect your family. We don't have the responsibility to protect Myrken Wood anymore. I'll see that whatever measly funds we still have are spread out; hopefully they'll sustain you for a while longer."

"...Captain, what are you saying?"

"I'm done, Sergeant. The Order's done. We don't have a government to fund us, or people willing to either. It's time we made sure what we have left is protected. Go home. Fight for your family."

Thomas Daniels turned away from the Straka Sergeant and walked, leaving the Sergeant...terrified. He recognized the great darkness looming in the future. But with it, he recognized the wisdom of the Captain's words - he could do more for his family, now, than he could for Myrken Wood.

[channe]

A new sign is now appearing here and there. This one is:

--

THEY HAVE LEFT YOU TO DIE.

--

The picture is of a family trapped on the town gallows as if it were a desert island, as all manner of horrible things encroach upon them: drow, monsters, brigands. They include a mother, father, and small son with horrified looks on their faces. The boy is holding on to the coiled rope as if to a lifeline.

Each sign features the sigil of the 'People of Myrken-Wood,' whoever they are.

It may be an appropriate thought for Daniels as he strolls by: 'Damned if you do, damned if you don't..."

[Isobella]

Janessa had to pass those signs every day on her way through town to the Edificum. At first sighting she would take her time, reading each one as she passed, studying the mark they all seemed to bare. She seemed more fascinated by them than anything, though listening ears would pick up what they could of any gossip the townsfolk might have when they come to the Rememdium.

[Minty]

Yank.....rip. Crumple. Crunchcrunchcrunchcrunch

A certain halfdemon had passed by a couple of these signs already. Really, what the hell was this? Governments failed because of the people. To blame it on the organizations themselves was stupid(at least in most cases). And so he was eating these signs, as he passed by them. Not many, mind you, but it was a convenient place to put them where they'd never be picked up and seen again, right? And so trash was hidden inside trash. Too bad he didn't care enough to do this on more than the five or so he'd seen.

[channe]

A new sign appears in the Broken Dagger and, indeed, all over the town. Someone must think this is a good investment. After all, it's a lot of expensive parchment, isn't it -- just as Janessa had expressed to Bryce a day or two ago?

---

STRAKA WAS OURS
JANERIO IS HIS

REST NOT
THE TIME IS NEAR
FOR THE MYRKENBORN

---

It's a remarkable likeness of Kerrak al'Nerun, looking rather devious, alone at the Council table; around him, the chairs that formerly belonged to other Councilors lie scattered and broken. The symbolism is obvious.

There's talk, too, in the more disingenuous taverns, and in the streets: men, farmers and shadier types, all speaking about the signs. Raulas Kauker, cobbler and father of five, is among them; he's been bitter, the old women say, since he lost a son to last summer's plague. What's going on? Are the signs correct? Terrible memories of last summer, with Flux and Faith, Sword-massacres and monsters, heat and hopelessness, encroach; will we survive? they ask.

[Isobella]

Oh and how fear had begun to creep into their town. Already had a few farmers and townsfolk come to the Rememdium with illnesses created in their minds. It seems that these reminders of the summer past made a few folks a little paranoid, wanting to be sure that they were in good health... just in case something similar were to strike again. It seemed every time that Janessa worked there would be questions about if the Rememdium were prepared for something like that in the future, and all she could do was try to reassure folks that things would be just fine. After all, she hadn't been working when the plague had struck.

[Vanidor]

And perhaps some would notice that very same man stopping on a route through the town. Coming to a still as the latest bit of signage was brought to his attention. Perhaps he was making it clear that he had read the note and was taking the time to take in the drawing that was added too it. The two soliders besides him, these being men dressed in their hip-length grey coats, seemed about ready to tear the bit of propaganda down from the board that it was tacked upon

Yet the Councilor rose a hand, setting it down upon an arm that was outstretched to do just that. A shake of his head, darkish eyes sweeping once more over the parchment. "Someone went to a lot of trouble and effort to put this up, guardsman. And, other than the men from Straka that have joined us, it is mostly true. The writer it telling the truth, the time IS coming close... Leave it. We will respect the writer's wishes, and perhaps show these people that we are here to help them, just as Straka was."

Kerrak would then take one more glance over the image at the bottom. There was a short pause here as he considered something. A snort of a laugh, then the man would turn and start off. "When we get back to the barracks, have them step up patrols in the trade district. I want presence, there especially, and along the perimiter of town..." And here, Kerrak would continue on his course for the newly reopened Myrken Gaol and Barracks.