Hey, thanks for tying out the game and you feedback!
You're not the first one to bring up the request of faster moving, I'll have to explore that without making it feel like you're rushing.
The signs are blank but you should be able to color them and then be able to either interact with them or reveal some information on them.
It's a little disconnected at the moment, not going to lie, but the gate puzzle is the next one you should do and the interior of Wiseman's house helps with that.