- "Raiding is what Outsiders do."
- —Oscar Diaz
The Outsiders were humans that lived outside the walled city-states under COG jurisdiction. Initially formed from the surviving Stranded populations following the Locust War, the Outsiders held a standard distrust of the COG due to the Hammer of Dawn Strikes and their fascist policies. The Outsider Movement gained popularity when the reestablished COG became more authoritarian after the death of First Minister Anya Stroud. The Outsiders inhabited the Wilds of Sera in communes, living in isolation and practicing an agrarian and anti-establishment lifestyle.
Although all Outsider villages and camps were loosely affiliated in trade and alliances, every group had its own set of rules. Some Outsiders would occasionally conduct raids on COG territory to acquire supplies and resources necessary for their communities.[1] Following the emergence of the Swarm, almost all Outsider groups were convinced to join the COG in a united effort to oppose the new threat. Those that refused or not found in time were wiped out by the Swarm.
History[]
Establishment[]
After the end of the Locust War in 17 A.E., the Coalition of Ordered Governments quickly reestablished themselves after dissolving in 15 A.E. Occupying the ruins of Ephyra, the new COG began the reconstruction of Sera. Former Lieutenant Anya Stroud was made First Minister of the COG. Damon Baird created the first line of DeeBees to help in their efforts to build New Ephyra. Following the completion of New Ephyra, the COG began to establish walled city-states, also known as Settlements.
Despite a more democratic COG in rule, many survivors of the Hammer of Dawn Strikes, called the Stranded, still held mistrust and contempt for the COG. While other Stranded became Nomads and Pickers, others organized into the Outsiders. Outsiders were established as independent settlers that preferred to live outside COG jurisdiction. Within the ruins of Sera and the Wilds, the Outsiders lived freely. While the Outsiders appeared to merely want to be left alone and avoid conflict with the newly reformed COG, the Outsiders lacked an industrial or manufacturing base, leading them to conduct small raids on COG settlements for supplies.
Outsider Movement[]
First Minister Stroud later died from complications in a birthing program in 27 A.E. She was later succeeded by Dyer. Following her death, the COG reintroduced their authoritarian policies they had once held during the Locust War - causing the Outsider Movement to grow in popularity. COG civilians began protesting and abandoning the Settlements to join the Outsiders.
Dyer was later succeeded by Mina Jinn, who had a hardline approach to the Outsider Movement in taking their people and committing raids on their Settlements. A separate protest in 41 A.E. in Settlement 2 by The White Xiphium led to a massacre in which DeeBees were order by Jinn to shoot the protestors. Many civilians and Gears, including James Dominic Fenix and Delmont Walker, saw this as a breaking point and abandoned the COG to join the Outsiders. For the Outsiders, this event validated their concerns of the COG.
Fenix and Walker joined Fort Umson. The village was established by former Gear Gabriel Diaz. When he died of Rustlung in 30 A.E., Umson was later led by his wife Reyna and brother Oscar. Fenix and Walker befriended Reyna's daughter, Kait Diaz. For six months, the villagers drew back their raids due to increasing tensions with the COG. As for the COG, many of their people went missing - believing the Outsiders to be responsible.
When Fort Umson went without power, Reyna ordered a raid on Settlement 5 for a Fabricator. JD, Del, Kait, and Oscar were apprehended by Jinn and her forces on accusations of kidnapping her people. The four managed to escape and brought the Fabricator back to Fort Umson. The village was then attacked by Jinn's forces. Despite causalities, Reyna managed to successfully defend Fort Umson.
Swarm Invasion[]
Later that night, Fort Umson was ambushed by the Swarm - an evolved form of the Locust. The Swarm began capturing humans and podding them in Swarm Hives to transform them into soldiers for their new army in the Swarm Invasion. Reyna was captured by their leader, the Speaker, a Locust Scion. Oscar was injured and captured by a Snatcher, but managed to escape. JD, Del, and Kait were the only villagers left. The three sought assistance from JD's father and Locust War veteran, Marcus Fenix. Jinn's forces followed them to the Stroud Estate.
Known Outsider Settlements[]
- Bravelle (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Croya (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Five Pines (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Fort Umson (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Holstead Croft (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Kadar Village (Overrun by Swarm in 42 A.E.)
- Pasco's Village
- Riftworm Village (Conscripted by the COG in 42 A.E.)
- South Village (Overrun by the Swarm in 42 A.E.)
Notable Outsiders[]
- Gary Carmine
- Gabriel Diaz
- Kait Diaz
- Oscar Diaz
- Reyna Diaz
- Eli
- James Dominic Fenix
- Freddie
- Gregor
- Jen
- Lena
- Amanda Macallister
- Dillon Macallister
- Donald Macallister
- Gladys Macallister
- Leslie Macallister
- Mr. Macallister
- Mrs. Macallister
- Mackenzie
- Noah
- Norsko
- Salvador Pasco
- Delmont Walker
- William
Behind the scenes[]
- The Outsiders are influenced by the 1960/70s Hippie movement along with the eras motorcycle gangs.[2]