View source for Scrolls of Forbidden Lore (3.5e Sourcebook)/Introduction

=== Introducing Signs ===

A sign, once it has started to change the world, can sometimes be just as dangerous as the presence of the Elder Evil itself, or even more so. In fact, most signs are so powerful, that, even after the Elder Evil has passed, they can have a lingering effect on the world, and scar it for all time. Keep in mind, signs have virtually worldwide effects, and handling them within the context of the game can be rather imposing. The sample timelines in the chapters of this book suggest potential ways to raise the power of a particular sign gradually over time. When the sign reaches the overwhelming stage—signaling the coming of the great Evil that bears that sign—the level of the players should be about high enough to resist all but the worst effects of the sign. When describing a sign’s influence, bring up information in flavorful narratives on how it affects the world itself. (Refer to the sign descriptions themselves for inspiration.)