When the council announced all ghouls were to removed from Columbus Gate, it left many residents angry and confused. Indeed, a few had joined the Brethren of the Shroud, but most had fought steadfastly for their home. Hank Emvrew was one such ghoul, and he had even joined one of the mercenary bands to help defend the town. His leader, a black man whose parents had fled from the Klansmen Confederacy, publicly spoke out about the policy, along with several other captains.