The Bishop's Night

Dugin Fights Dark Cloak - March 21, 652 TA

The Barony of Walworth was established in 648 TA and is remarkable for having lasted only five years. Its sole ruler, James Walworth, was tasked with providing protection from the nearby Bandit Kingdoms. With Walworth's failure, the Shield Lands were formed two years later.

On June 15, 650 TA, the baron's only son, Jon Walworth, was killed in a raid near the town of Bishopshill, although the manner of his death was never revealed. In the months that followed, it is reported that James became despondent over a failed attempt to resurrect his son. Rumors of dark magic and ritualistic ceremonies began to emerge. Access to Walworth Castle was restricted, and the baron became increasingly reclusive.

On March 19, 652 TA, an attack was launched by Baron James Walworth against the fortified town of Bishopshill. The baron's army, consisting of 225 mounted knights, six mammoth elephants, and an alchemical dragon engine moved northwest towards the town. The army arrived on the evening of March 21, 652 TA, a night now known as the Bishop's Night. Shortly after the army arrived, a 100 foot high spectral image of the town's namesake was reported towering over the town. The Bishop's ghost was reported to have been summoned by Gwen, a stormcaller druid of the Order of Oakentree, who provided protection for the beleaguered town.

What happened next is also matter for some speculation. According to written accounts, the town had been swept earlier in the day with a terrible poisoning of the water supply which left most residents sick and unable to bear arms. Coupled with a fire at the town's garrison earlier in the week, the defensive forces of Bishopshill should not have been able to withstand the siege. Both the fire and the poisoning are thought to have been accomplished by a small group of Walworth loyalists in town.

During the Bishop's Night, two separate attacks were reported on the town. First, a large blue dragon, nicknamed Longtail by residents after the attack, reportedly came for vengeance after the theft of her egg by a local prospector. That attack was avoided by the quick thinking action of Maron, now St. Maron, who is said to have thrown the dragon's egg several hundred feet into the sky, aided by the gathering storm, just as Longtail came in for her first strike on the town. The ploy was successful as the dragon snatched the egg, abandoned its attack, and flew west towards the Shadowyarn Mountains.

The second attack was that of Dark Cloak, the Beast of Bishopshill, whose foray came immediately after the dragon's attack. According to some accounts, the creature was defeated in combat by the Heroes of Bishopshill - Dugin, Rorik and Kovind, a priest of the Church of the Hearth. Dugin's axe wielding prowess is now part of standard military training, and the flame-wielding Rorik has the fire brigade named after him. Kovind was instrumental in restoring health to the townsfolk in the days following the Bishop's Night and became the town priest after the untimely demise of his predecessor William Dunhurst.

However, alternate versions of the events surrounding the Dark Cloak attack were widely circulated. In them, the prophet of the Cult of the Shooting Star, a mysterious enigmatic figure, Gary, was said to have beguiled the creature with throngs of recently converted followers. So placated by the chanting and prayers of his followers, it is said that Dark Cloak turned into a cloud of black smoke, returning to his otherworldly home. In the days that followed, it was discovered that Gary Albu was actually a Gypsy King, suffering from memory loss inflicted during a battle at sea. Being found after an extensive search, he left Bishopshill shortly thereafter with his wife, Romanitza, returning to Teufeldorf where he boarded the Golden Galleon, one of the early gypsy ships to make port in Teufeldorf.

Whichever tale of events turned the tide of the dragon and demon attacks, it is reported that the army of Baron Walworth turned away at daybreak moving back towards Walworth Castle. The effigy of the Bishop faded at daybreak and has not been seen in the town since.

The Bishop's Night is celebrated to this day in Bishopshill on March 21. The revelry includes drinking, bonfires, and fireworks. At dawn, a mock battle is held between town's children and adults dressed as Longtail and Dark Cloak. The festivities are presided over by the town priest, dressed as the Bishop, standing atop stilts, who proclaims the battle's victor.