The Last War - A Post World War Dieselpunk Quest

An old newspaper that you found in the cargo compartment of the Spider walker you stole from the ammo depot near Coblenz. The authors seem very keen to suck up to the military leadership, though that might be the wartime propaganda.

Local News

New Daily Rations
On orders of the Generalmajor von Nottwitz, the rations for the people in the fortress city of Coblenz will be adjusted once more. Shortages are compounded by the vile betrayals of the fatherland perpetrated by communists, pacifists and assorted anti-German scum that this newspaper had to report over the previous weeks.

But this humble reporter would like to remind his readers that they should not despair! Despite the efforts of these traitors, the situation on the western front is promising and soon our beloved Imperial Army will smash through the enemies' lines and end this war once and for all. One last time, we all will tighten our belts, but in just a few more weeks, we shall feast on the spoils of victory! God with us and with our brave soldiers!

[It follows a list of how much basic food an other goods the people of Coblenz are henceforth allowed to buy.]


Consolidation of the Merciful Brothers Hospital
Due to the ongoing staff shortages, it was decreed by Generalmajor von Nottwitz that the remaining staff und supplies of the Merciful Brothers Hospital will be consolidated with the Garrison Hospital. As this means the closure of the last hospital serving civilian patients, the military administration has agreed to allow a limited number of people to be treated there, provided they are of an age that makes them eligible for military service or are currently employed in militarily relevant industries.

The administration asked this newspaper to remind it's readers of the ongoing shortage of medical goods due to the demands of the war and has increased the fines for the fraudulent and malicious procurement of medical services or goods to 500 Mark. Lastly, the Saint Joseph Cathedral has reiterated its offer to render palliative care free of charge for those in need of it.


Archbishop Kranert Chastises Godlessness
In yesterdays mass, the Archbishop of Köln spoke out against the rampant godlessness griping Germany. He chastised liberals for abandoning the ways of the faith, which paved the way for the militant atheism seen among the ranks of the socialists. "The church has been the cornerstone of German culture and identity, long before there were parties and ideologies. Through god, the German Empire came into being, and only through god, it will endure," he closed his mass with, reminding us all that the fatherland can only prosper through the divinely ordained leadership of the monarchy.


German News

Ebert Proclaims Republic – Nobody Listens
After negotiations with the local leadership of the Zentrum party, SPD leader Friedrich Ebert has proclaimed the creation of a German Republic in Kiel. He claims dominion over the entirety of our beloved fatherland for this treasonous political body, but reality is already showing the limits of the mad socialist's grasp. Even in Kiel itself, his own compatriots reject him as the so-called Soldiers and Workers Council made up of Kriegsmarine deserters and agitators refuses to abide by his agreements.

Further away, even his own party renounces his action. In many cities, most notably in Berlin, the SPD has shown its true colours and joined with the most radical and vicious elements of their movement, rejecting both the monarchy and their own leaders. When will the violence and madness end? This reporter can only pray for the health and wellbeing of those Germans suffering under the unleashed red menace. The time will come when these criminals will be given their just retribution!


Hindenburg a Traitor? Ludendorff Promises Leadership
Over the last weeks, some of our readers might have noticed soldiers wandering the countryside. Contrary to treasonous claims of deserters though, these brave men have been recruited by the beloved General and Hero of Tannenberg Erich Ludendorff for a special unit, called the Freikorps Ludendorff. This new unit, made up of some of the best and most skilled soldiers that could be spared from the frontlines, has been formed to finally strike back against the rioters, socialists and anarchists that have plagued parts of Germany in recent times.

Unfortunately, the General is so busy with his many duties that he had no time to entertain questions from reporters, but some officers of the Freikorps have spoken to newspapers in Luxemburg. According to them, the unrest in our fatherland is far from spontaneous, but the result of a secret cabal plotting to weaken our resolve and military might! There are even suspicions that Field Marshall Hindenburg has been quietly aiding such efforts!

This newspaper can sadly not verify such claims, but notes how fast the communist uprisings have spread across our beloved Empire. Can such events truly be coincidence? Or are there truly Free Masons, shadowy bankers and others drawing the strings behind the red traitors? We can only wish General Ludendorff the best in his efforts to unravel such plots and to punish their perpetrators!


Sabotage and Banditry on the Rise
It saddens this reporter to write these lines, but the reports of these incidents show no sign of stopping. Railway lines are being damaged. Telegraph lines cut. Factories burned down. The terrorism perpetrated by so-called pacifists and other anti-German elements continue as our beloved military has to balance the demands of the war with the threats emerging at home. Worse yet, as the movement of goods, people and news is hampered, we hear ever more reports of petty banditry. To imagine that our fatherland has to endure such in this day!


International News

US-President Leonard Wood Chastises Entente
Appalled by the lack of discipline and order in the armies of France and Great Britain, US-President Wood has made it clear that he will not accept his countrymen to have bled in vain due to their incompetence. He also refused to send further aid to the French army currently besieging Paris to take back control from the anarchist rioters that occupy it. "We have given much, and have gotten little in return so far," he said to reporters in Washington.

This echoes earlier comments by the president, where he floated the idea to seize French and British colonies as payment for the loans and war material delivered to these nations by the US. Is the alliance of criminals and butchers finally coming apart as defeat looms? Hopefully the president has not yet set his sights on any one colony in particular, for first pick will be for the German Empire and may the Entente squabble over the crumbs we leave them with!


Victory in San Marino!
In a stunning victory, the forces of our ally Austria-Hungary succeeded in surrounding and reducing the Italian army defending the city of San Marino, leading to the capture of 30,000 Italian soldiers, 3,000 American volunteers and allegedly even the Marshal of Italy, Luigi Cadorna, himself. This great success comes only weeks after the capture of the town of Brescia and there is now feverish speculation among reporters if this is a prelude to the army marching on to the undefended Rome, or if they will instead reinforce the counter-attack on Mailand and the efforts to recapture Trient.

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AN: I'd like to emphasize here that views expressed by the characters are not shared by the author, and that many characters have a quite slanted view of reality. Just getting that out of the way, because any press statements from Ludendorff are going to get very wild and decidedly vile from here on out.

Vote is still open. I didn't want to close it early, but might not have time to write in my usual slot, so you got the promised news chapter instead.