You're a smart bunch.
You guys are right on all accounts. The Cleaver, Mellish and Moril Karisbane are all PCs. I (the late John of Pell) play The Cleaver. My brother plays Mellish and fills the spot formerly occupied by Vath's player. Moril doesn't meet up with the group for a bit, but he is played by Amellysan's player.
Heh, it just occured to me as I read the latest update; everything up to this point has been a sort of 'prelude' to the real story. Meeting Destan and having the underlying story explained to us is when the fight against Loroth and his forces really begins.
Boy, are you guys in for an epic.
"You hate me because I am different. I hate you because you're all the same"
The Cleaver, Fist of Tempus