Assault on Dead Mans Sands

The Assault on Dead Mans Sands is a key battle in the Sabre of Meitor Campaign. Having chased the last key to the castle of Count Benjen III, the heroes have to decide how to proceed, before their old enemy becomes more powerful than ever...

Plot
Having reached Dead Mans Sands, the Heroes of Time can hear a large scale battle occurring inside the castle walls between the forces of the Count and the Trident Association. Whilst arguing on how to proceed, a small object can be seen flying from the top of the Broken Tower in an easterly direction. This is assumed to be Brooke Moon. Shortly after this happens, the Trident army retreats from the castle and heads back into the desert. The magical blasts can still be seen overhead, so the group decide to finally put a stop to the vampiric asshole that has plagued them.

Sneaking into the castle, a scene of devastation confronts them. Led by Seth Qualls, who knows the castle intimately after his service as the Count's jester, the group discover several of the castle's household slumped near the entrance to the Broken Tower, the butler Grell included. He dies before Crystal can save him.

Deciding to send Harry stealthing up the tower, he returns and says that the Count has sent Brooke towards Carcino and the Fire Shrine to steal the Trident Key hidden there. Horrified, Harry insists that he must return to the hiding spot and go on the run with the key. Whilst hesitant that he may get caught and tortured for the key's location, the group ultimately allow him to retrieve the key for them.

Azrael, Ertelas, Seth Qualls and Eralyjas sneak up through the tower with the intent of killing the Count, with the remainder of the party standing guard to prevent any extra combatants. The fight against Benjen is horrific, as his ability to wield both Starlight the Holy Spell and Wunton the Dark Book make him a formidable opponent. It takes all of the party's strength to finally slay the mad tyrant, who by now had revealed his beastly true form. A large gem erupts from Benjen's chest, quickly vanishing when Eralyjas attempted to dispose of it. An Inferni possessed Seth claims Starlight for himself, raising him to the rank of Pious Sorcerer. The group then decide to head to the previously seen ship in Oken, ready to sail to Carcino to chase their undead comrade...

Main Characters
(*) Denotes first appearance

Seth Qualls

Azrael

Ertelas

Crystal

Eralyjas

Samuel

Jeff the Builder

Harry

Sero Zamod

Archslain Tegus

Brooke Moon

Count Benjen III †