Inside, the cathedral is immediately cool, quiet, and dim compared to the bright ruckus outside...
More detail coming shorting...
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]
The party's eye sight adjusts to the relative dimness almost immediately, wherein they see they have entered the cathedral narthex.
It is about 60ft deep and 30ft broad, the party having entered at one of the long ends.
The left hand side wall of the narthex is also the front outer wall of the cathedral.
The right hand side wall is a decorative interior wall over a broad, 10ft wide opening into the main body of the cathedral.
However, in the center of the room are a group of four men (roughly 20ft away) standing around a huge table littered with scrolls and papers. They don't appear to be armed.
"What's going on?" Demands one of the men, crossly. "And who in All Buggery are you lot?"
No, there is enough daylight coming in through the tall, stained-glass windows, as well as gaps in the roof and walls in the main hall.
The ref decides there is no possibly of surprise as a) the NPCs were alerted by the commotion outside, and b) the players expected these men to be here due to Tass' report.
What next?
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]
"Rrrright," says the man, relaxing somewhat, as he eyes the dubious looking bunch of pest exterminators. "Of course nobody told me to expect you. I guess you better talk to the Reverend, inside."
His staff seem to slowly come around to the idea. "Never did understand why they put up with those awful monsters..." mutters one of the others, with which they all seem agree.
Acceptance is easier when it's someone else's problem.
"Go on then," says the first man tersely, "The Gods know we've got an avalanche of work to do here!"
He shoos the party thru, keen to get onto his engineering challenges.
The ref deems Thanis' story... plausible.
A motely-looking bunch of looter/killers, armed to the teeth, could plausibly pass for professional monster exterminators. And the build site does have monsters that the engineering team is not entirely comfortable with.
On the other hand, it is suspicious that a general ruckus arises outside exactly as the PCs arrive. Let's see what the dice say...
Reaction check 2d6=10! A positive reaction; so it looks like they're buying it!
[f=32]Golgildir the Elf Medium (MV 12", AC 9, HD 1, hp 1/1, AL N) great cloak, lantern; spells: color spray; scrolls: sleep, sleep, charm person
Hirelings: Georges; torch[/f]