Tarvoden
OOC: Since everyone has posted and since everyone seems to be waiting for Tarvoden to answer, I decided to post a little earlier than the midday deadline. Beware... this is looooong, even for me 
Tarvoden
Tarvoden enters, followed by Garik. Seeing you all look up and hearing Grenier's request, he nods and speaks.
"I see you're all eager to find out just what this is all about. Good, I tire of playing games. Lord Montaigne, if you'll please excuse us?"
Veris looks a little taken-aback by this but quickly shrugs and puts his snifter down, after emptying it of course, and straightens his clothing.
"Ah, best not I know I guess though I admit, even I'm curious after all this; but as they say, curiosity killed the cat and I'd like to think I have a good many years left in me!"
With a smile and a nod and a quick affirmation that he will be called back when needed, the Lord Montaigne bid you all good day and left, making sure to close the door behind him.
"What I'm about to tell you is in confidence and must not be told to anyone outside this circle."
Tarvoden walks to the table and unhitches his sword, placing it on the table. He then casually undoes his cloak and reveals the tabard over his breastplate and chain armour. On it is the symbol of the Knights of the Hart, a symbol readily known to you all; it consisted of a pair of golden antlers on a shield of green.
"As some of you already know, I am a Knight of the Hart from the Highfolk branch. We are dedicated to fighting the evil that is the Old One and in this task, we have set about recruiting like-minded people. In my journeys to gather reinforcements, I sought out such people that I felt would be suited to such an ideal."
At this he looks over each of you in turn and sits, or more accurately leans, against the oaken table, his hands clasped together in his lap, before continuing.
"I was part of the company that retook Chendl and so I saw first-hand the horrors that Iuz had wreaked upon the people and land."
A distant look overcomes him as he begins to relate his story.
"I cannot tell you how I felt when I saw what I did for the memory has been blocked as if I defend myself from it. All I can recall is the ashen piles of the dead. Even the hordes of Iuz fear disease and without enough to feed their own troops, no doubt many slaves died from starvation and from... from being food themselves. The numbers of the dead were numerous and so they piled the bodys callously atop one another and torched the remains."
Tears began forming but he brushed them aside and, after a deep breath, continued in a resolute manner.
"There were hundreds of such piles. The bodies unidentifiable and mostly ash. It was here I determined to seek the end of Iuz; his evil must be stopped!"
Here he stood and held each hand in a fist by his side. Though you had never gotten to know him very well, you had known him well enough to think him a calm man of patience. But in front you, you now could see the fervour in his eyes and voice. This man would not stop in his quest until either he or Iuz was dead.
He calmed himself before continuing, but nevertheless began to pace the chambers as he spoke.
"Have you heard the legend of the phoenix? It is said that as it dies it burns and becomes naught but a pile of ashes, but from these ashes is the phoenix reborn, in all it's previous glory. It was this that spurred the idea that has led us here. Lord Derwent was necessary for, even if you had all volunteered, the idea I had needed a sponsor. As one of the few lords still to have a full purse, Lord Derwent was my best chance at seeing the seed to fruit.
And so, here you are, the first of the Phoenix Guard, should you agree to the mission. The first people who will help in the tactical destruction of the Old One's evil empire and thus the rebirth of good in the land. Unfortunately, we must be covert, as much as it pains me, for we cannot risk all out war. Furyondy is still strong but Iuz is stronger, in that we have no illusions."
Tarvoden let a moment pass for all this to sink in and before continuing, he stopped pacing and stood before you all, hands clasped behind his back.
"What I ask you to do is no mean feat but I assure you that many months have gone into the arranging of this mission and so we feel you more than capable of pulling it off. Should you succeed, you will aid us greatly in our fight and may lead, for you, to other missions against the Old One.
The mission is, as you've already been made aware, fairly straight-forward. You are to pick-up a cargo from Critwall and deliver it to someone. This is a false cargo and consists of nothing but rotten grain and sand. However, what you pick up is most precious indeed.
Our spies came into possession of some knowledge that there is a seller willing to give over his goods for a very reasonable sum. The reason he did so was because he knows very well he couldn't sell what he has where he is. I cannot divulge the contents of the cargo, however I assure you that it is most valuable to us and will assist our goals in this covert war immensely.
So your mission is to pose as merchants and go to this man and purchase his goods and then bring the goods back to Chendl. Simple. We do not ask that you fight or die and so if needs be, you can always flee for your own safety. This is an operation, not a battle.
We will provide you with papers that will prove that you are working for the Hempsy Trading Coster, a Rhennee outfit that operates within Critwall. Simply take the cargo from them to this place, hand over the money to the man for his cargo, and bring the cargo back to Chendl. Nothing to it, really."
This last bit he said in a manner that made it seem he was trying to convince himself. And as you heard what followed, you then realized why he had been careful not to mention the location of the pick-up.
"The man you are to pick the cargo up from is Embran Dokhal, a former Chakyik, or Tiger Nomad who operates a tavern in..."
He took a deep breath and wetted his lips.
"Who operates a tavern in Doraaka... now I know that it sounds bad but I want to assure you that he relies on trade to keep his armies fed and so treats merchants with some respect. This is not impossible. The rumours that no trade flows from or too Doraaka is false and we wish you to get in and out as quickly as possible. If this is too much, then I will understand, but I implore you to think reasonably. This is not an assault on his capital, just a trading mission..."
