Bonus Homelander Lore (Historical Fact #2 - The Purge of Exiles) (Patreon)

HISTORYDuring the Collapse, Calderan refugees in the Homeland region had nowhere to flee but northward into Taulk territory. There were many who welcomed them as the wave of Gauld raiders approached the region, but there were many who still feared the outsiders, and not everyone was pleased with this choice. Over the coming weeks, the refugees were all relocated to camps in the Brookshire region, where they were aided and taken care of for a short time.

Unfortunately, as the world beyond their borders turned chaotic and lawless, the ancestral Taulk fear of 'the bigger folk' quickly began to take root in adjacent communities. Whispered tales began to spread of stolen crops, damaged property, and other, much more despicable deeds, aimed at the refugees in the camps. The whispers slowly turned into angry protests, while those in charge struggled to find a solution.

The Taulk government was already drowning in problems after suddenly finding themselves cut off from the rest of the world. They were, of course, a well-established nation, but there had been peace in the lands for so long, and most of their already limited soldiers were already deployed in other lands at the request of their allies. By all accounts, they were doing their best with the limited resources at their disposal, but unfortunately, they were being stretched too thin to prevent the coming tragedy in time.

Depending on who you ask, there are several different stories of how the terrible night began, but how it ended is never debated. Most of the refugees were rounded up and escorted back across the border by whatever means. No matter what fate awaited them there. Some resisted and were forced into the rushing waters by spear-point. Some tried to run and were shot with arrows. A handful tried barricading themselves inside homes, and they were either dragged out or burned inside.

By the time those in charge could respond, it was already over, and nothing remained of the refugee camps but a few smouldering piles of ash. There were over five years of intense inquiries and investigations into the event, and a lot was revealed in that time, but there is yet to be any conclusive evidence that points to any individuals or groups as the instigators. Reports varied from one person to the next, but most agreed that once the fear took root in their communities, they became swept up in it as well.Although the event lasted only a few hours, it's considered one of the darkest moments in Taulk history. A tragic case of panic and mob mentality that left the Taulk people with nothing but shame, regret, and many innocent deaths on their conscience. In the years since reconnecting with the former Calderans, the folk of those regions have sworn to mend the pain of their ancestors' sins and have always been the most generous with their donations and steadfast with their recruitment numbers.