Otto continues looking for a release catch, but is fairly certain that if such a thing exists, it is not on this side of the portcullis.
"Again," says Coraine, heaving on the bars. "Quickly!""Ragnok, leave them to Two Axe for now and lend us a hand." Ragnok takes one look at the ghouls closing upon him, and raises his axe to attack. Dara continues the efforts, trying to lift the portcullis together with Coraine. Their efforts begin to bear some fruit, as they manage to raise the portcullis about two feet off the ground.
Two Axe stands his ground, keeping his back towards the portcullis and Ragnok, and facing the creatures from the south.
Marco peers over the shoulders of his companions, watching for signs of whatever caused the slamming doors. His crossbow held tightly in his hands, he carefully considers the fact that he's a lousy shot and wonders why exactly Coraine thought this was a good idea.
The dwarf steps toward his opponents, eager to thin their ranks. Norryjar descends in a powerful arc, and cuts completely through the closest of the ghouls.
As the ghouls from the south charge, Two Axe whips his orc double axe at the first, slashing a wicked wound across its chest.
As Two Axe attacks, the Warlock calls upon his magic and releases it at the lead humanoid. The blast strikes the creature in the chest, scorching its grey, decaying skin.
Marco release a bolt from his crossbow, but his hurried shot is blocked by one of the iron bars of the portcullis, and the arrow deflects off into the darkness.
The three southernmost ghouls lick their lips and drive at Two Axe, attempting to overwhelm the half-orc warrior before his friends can come to his aid. The frantic Two Axe parries and dodges, and somehow escapes the exchange unharmed.
Initiative Count
Otto 23, Search check 23
Verdis 23, ready action: attack vrs G6 15 (success), damage 8
Ghoul 1 21, move
Ghoul 2 21, move
Ghoul 3 21, move
Dara 19, str check to aid another 13 (success)
Two Axe 18, ready action: attack vrs G4 14 (success), damage 10
Marco 7, ready action: attack vrs G6 "1", dark knowledge 16 (+1 to attacks)
Ragnok 7, 5' step, attack vrs G1 28 (success), damage 16
Ghoul 4 6, bite vrs Two Axe 13 (failure)
Ghoul 5 6, bite vrs Two Axe 5 (failure)
Ghoul 6 6, bite vrs Two Axe 11 (failure)
Coraine 4, str check 22 (17+2+3)
[sblock=Opponent Status - Player's don't look!]
Ghoul 1 dead
Ghoul 4 3/13
Ghoul 6 5/13
[/sblock]