Session 05 VTT Journal & Encounter Brief — The Battle of Graveyard Cove, The Deserters’ Mercy, & Camp on the Shingle

• Campaign: The Hellfire Club | World of Greyhawk (576 CY)
• Real-World Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
• In-Game Date: Moonday, 3rd of Goodmonth – Godsday, 4th of Goodmonth, 576 CY
• Setting / Location: Graveyard Cove & Midbay Coastal Bluffs, en route to Magepoint
• Platform: D&D Beyond Maps VTT | 2024 Revised D&D Rules (5.5e / SRD 5.2.1)

High-Level Tactical Summary

Riding north along the coastal limestone ridges toward Magepoint, The Hellfire Club crested a 40-foot chalk bluff overlooking Graveyard Cove and engaged an amphibious raiding party of Iuz assaulting a beached Shield Lands cutter. Siding with Lady Katarina of Walworth, the party destroyed a ferocious Babau demon and supporting cultists in the surf. Following the clash, Nog the Dwarf successfully stayed Lady Katarina’s blade under the Lex Martialis, securing a holy reprieve for two conscript deserters and receiving The Seal of Walworth. The company completed a full Long Rest on the pebble shingle before mounting their final 12-mile march to the Shore Gate of Magepoint.

Operational Timeline & Key Tactical Beats

• The Ridge Reconnaissance & Breakers Ingress:
  • Crested the 40-foot chalk bluffs above Graveyard Cove overlooking the crashing Nyr Dyv surf.
  • Spotted a beached Shield Lands naval cutter besieged by an amphibious vanguard of Iuz: a Babau demon, two Legion of Black Death marines, an Iuzite bone-priest, and a merrow harpooner.
  • Observed one of three terrified conscript deserters cut down in the breakers as Lady Katarina of Walworth fought a desperate rearguard action.
• The Surf Clash & Demonic Annihilation:
  • The party scrambled down the loose chalk scree, taking tactical positions along the waterline.
  • Coordinated arcane, divine, and martial burst damage: Nog channeled radiant retribution, Will pinned hostiles with evocation fire, Amelia harassed flanking cultists, and Max struck from the surf spray.
  • The Babau demon and amphibious hostiles were completely destroyed, securing the cove.
• The Judgment of Graveyard Cove (The Deserters’ Mercy):
  • Under Shield Lands martial law (Lex Martialis), Lady Katarina drew her greatsword to execute the two surviving conscript deserters for abandoning their post during the siege.
  • The Hellfire Club intervened. Nog the Dwarf invoked the ancient Heironean Rite of Penitent Service, rolling a Natural 20 Persuasion check.
  • Moved by Nog’s divine conviction and Heironean authority, Lady Katarina sheathed her blade, remanding the conscripts into party custody to serve as hospital stretcher-bearers and water-haulers on the Bitter Shore.
  • In recognition of their valor and holy wisdom, Lady Katarina conferred The Seal of Walworth upon Nog.
• Camp on the Shingle & Long Rest:
  • The party, Lady Katarina, and the penitents established a fortified bivouac on the pebble beach beside the beached cutter.
  • Completed a full Long Rest, restoring all hit points and spell slots.

Experience, Relics & Allies

• Experience Awarded: 1,000 XP per player (Amelia the Brave, Nog the Dwarf, Will the Wise, Max the Mighty)
  (850 XP raw encounter combat + 150 XP tactical & moral resolution of the Judgment of Graveyard Cove).
• Relics Conferred: The Seal of Walworth (conferred by Lady Katarina to Nog).
• Rescued Allies & Penitents:
  • Lady Katarina of Walworth (Knight of the Holy Shielding; Frontline ally).
  • Two Shield Lands Conscript Deserters (Remanded into camp custody/penance).
• Immediate Vector: 12-mile march north through the Bitter Shore refugee shanties to the Promontory Gate of Magepoint.