The Story of The Ancient Order of Fabled Imp Catchers

Centuries ago, the Devil sent two imps to Lincoln to spread chaos. The mischievous pair set their sights on the tallest building in the world at the time: Lincoln Cathedral. Once inside, they tripped the bishop, scattered hymn sheets and prayer books, and blew out every candle in sight.

Their antics caught the attention of an angel, who commanded the imps to stop their disobedience. While one imp hid behind a pew, the braver of the two threw stones at the angel, who did not take this mischief lightly. With one wave, the angel turned the rebellious imp to stone. The imp in hiding could only watch as his companion's fate was sealed.

With his friend frozen in stone, the remaining imp fled the cathedral and wandered through the city. For years, he roamed the streets of Lincoln, desperate to find a way to save his companion. Eventually, he returned to the cathedral and, in a moment of desperation, struck a bargain with the angel.

The imp promised that if he dedicated his life to capturing other imps and returning them to where they came from, his friend might one day be freed. With a new purpose in hand, he set out on a journey to capture his mischievous kin, hoping each capture would bring him one step closer to being reunited with the friend he had lost.

Over the years, the lone imp realised he could not accomplish this monumental task alone. In the 15th century, he partnered with a group of sympathetic locals who shared his vision of capturing the wild imps causing trouble across the land. So began The Ancient Order of Fabled Imp Catchers, sworn to find and capture imps wherever they were causing chaos.

The Order grew in strength and influence over the centuries that followed. One by one, its members tracked down wild imps and brought them home, preventing them from wreaking havoc in cities, towns and villages alike.

Once captured, wild imps are brought back to Lincoln and taken across the boundary of the sacred Cathedral Quarter. It is said that when an imp crosses this threshold, its soul returns to where it came from, leaving behind a solid stone form, frozen for good.

Each stone imp is a physical reminder of the original bargain struck between the lone imp and the angel: a promise to capture his fellow imps, in exchange for the chance to free his frozen friend.

Though the Order thrived for many years, over time many of its members found themselves drawn to other pursuits. Some became inventors, others explorers, a few even poets. As the centuries passed, the Order dwindled, but a handful of loyal members remained, continuing the long mission to find the imps still at large.

Now, with reports of a new outbreak of wild imps, the Order faces its greatest challenge yet. Imp numbers are growing fast, and for the first time in history, the Order is calling on the public to help. The Lincoln Imporium, home of The Ancient Order of Fabled Imp Catchers, invites you to learn the story of the imps, choose one to rehome, and keep an eye on it.