After much testing, many incorrect theories, and even more baseless
rumours, information about this disease is starting to come together.

The only proven way to contract the disease is by killing diseased rats
yourself. Although many believe and have said that being biten by a
diseased rat will transmit the disease, I haven't seen or heard any real
evidence of this. If you have contracted the disease by being bitten and
you have not killed any diseased rats yourself, please come forward and
let me know.

Furthermore, dead rats do not transmit the disease, although they are
very unpleaseant to the eyes and nose. Therefore, since no live rat has
yet left the city (and it is unlikely that mere walls would stop a rat,
in any case), and dead rats cannot transmit the disease, leaving the
City open will only put at risk those who choose to kill rats in Ashtan
and the young, who can easily enter the City without passing through the
Gates.

So far, after roughly six days of having the disease, I have not shown
any symptoms other than sniffles and the odd sneeze. There is no
confirmed evidence of any further symptoms, at least while the disease
is in this first stage.

I do not believe the plague is an entirely natural disease, although
there is little evidence to prove or disprove that.

Again, I issue a call to all those interested in helping to cure the
disease to contact me.

Lord Azudim Taryn

Penned by my hand on the 22nd of Haernos, in the year 147 MA.