Inside Axeholm Fortress ...

The party splits into two groups searching for an alternate entrance. There doesn't seem to be any other entrances that we can find. Caldae decides to investigate the Portculess. She tugs on the bars, and it is a very sturdy structure. She doesn't see any levers or anything to open it with, and decides to have Siegrane throw her threw an arrow hole. First we decide to let Howdore try to open it. Howdore is able to rattle the Portculess a little bit, but is unable to fully open it. It is decided to use Howdore as a ladder to try and get into an arrow slit. Siegrane and Caldae climb up Howdore, and squeeze their way through the arrow slit. Once inside they find that the arrow slits are all guarded with Ballistas, which are still operational. They begin exploring the adjacent rooms and hallways. The entire front portion of the fortress is heavily armed and built for defense. Caldae decides to go up some stairs and see if she can find any traps or something to help open the gate. She finds some large cauldrons and piles of bones. There are holes in the floor where hot oil would normally be poured from the cauldrons for defense. They also see some sort of lift contraption, with a chain and a rolling lever, that appears old and rusty but functional. Caldae and Siegrane attempt to move the lever.They are unable to budge it because they are whimps. Caldae decides to try using a bolt from the ballista. Siegrane opens a door and finds the remains of an old barracks with a bunch of furniture, a large shield over the fireplace. Caldae is going to use the ballista as leverage to move the wheel of the lever. Siegrane investigates the large shield and decides to add it to his inventory.
 
Caldae and Siegrane begin to be successful in raising the Portculiss, from below the rest of the party watches as the gate slowly moves. Finally the Portculess raises high enough to walk through. Everyone runs under the gate as Caldae and Siegrane try to wedge the lever to keep it open. They are successful, and the Portculess is jammed open for the time being. Caldae decides to investigate the pile of bones. They seem to be arranged in the cauldrons with purpose, and the bones appear very old , gnawed upon, and humanoid (likely dwarven). The gnaw marks appear to be from sharp predatory teeth. Siegrane decides to bless the bones by doing a ritual.
Osha, Alleraia, and Howdore approach a large metal door at the end of the hallway. Howdore removes the bar that locks it and we open the door. Beyond the door is a great hall that we decide to wait to explore until we regroup with Siegrane and Caldae.
 
Back upstairs Caldae goes to explore another stairwell that goes down. it seems to lead to the other side of the front part of the fortress. it appears the fortress is symmetrical and has a mirror image of the layout on the other side. She finds another door at the bottom of the stairs. She opens the door to find another barracks type room, that is in better shape than the other barracks room. There is a cabinet on the wall that Caldae searches, and she finds a pile of neatly folded soldier uniforms in Dwarven size. Caldae takes 3 Dwarven soldier uniforms (an over shirt with matching breeches, red with white lining). Headed down the stairs, Caldae comes out the other side and can see the rest of the group through the arrow slits. Caldae is going to wait for Siegrane to finish his ritual and then we told her to come back and rejoin the group. We can hear the wailing of banshees echoing throughout the fortress.