In a time where unsponsored gangsters, and goombas roam the streets of our great cities, looking for the chance to be something great. In a time where scraping together rent money is more on their minds, than hiring armed guards. There is only you and you alone. Will you be something great, or just another bum who never made it in this thing of ours. Sitting on a park bench you see a man dressed all in black. He sits next to you, wearing a double breasted suit, with a suede shirt, and fedora. He sits next to you, and pulls out a paper and starts reading it. After a few minutes, he looks at you and places the paper on the bench next to you, and walks away. After opening it you read the headlines. 

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The Mafia Herald

Prologue edition: Interviews from the wars.

Thursday, July 9th, 1935

Cost: 2 cents.

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Massive Multi-City Gang War Rages Over 3 Days.

It is still a tense time to be a mobster. After the gangs in Detroit, and factions from New York crime families launched a full scale war on the city of Chicago. Chicago's friendship with Philadelphia, the rest of New York, and the majority of Vegas proved useful in the war, striking back at Detroit targets across the country. With the amount of numbers at their disposal, the war seemed to be coming to a close rather quickly. However the ones left standing proved difficult to remove. As the day passed bodyguards were slaughtered by the hundreds. Finally one of the most notable kills of the war, RemusLupin was gunned down by Spartacus. There was something wrong though, Spartacus had been shot by AliceLombardi at almost the exact same time. It seems they were using Mr. Lupin as a diversion, or bait if you will, to draw Spartacus out of hiding. Both sides mourned their losses and continued on.

The next day with Spartacus dead, and Las Vegas seemingly with no set leader. A woman by the name of YourNextWife, who had been previously working to finish off Detroit and the New York crew leader Whoreable, decided to change sides and entered the war with a shot on JarrodBohannon. The kin of Spartacus, and the other Las Vegas leader Lancelot were furious about this.

Later that night the allied forces got word that JaimeLannister had been shot dead while trying to kill a member of YourNextWife's family. Three Ladies remained, fighting tooth and nail with the sons, and daughters of their fallen members. Another day comes with new promise. Voodoo and Lancelot take the helm to attempt to eliminate the final three threats. Finally AliceLombardi falls to a fatal gunshot wound. She is the first of the three down. YourNextWife was the next to go about 12 hours later. Leaving only Whoreable left standing. It was in the home stretch for the Chicago forces, after over 6 hours later Whoreable was finally gunned down.

Chicago and her allies won. Everyone was excited, but most were ready for sleep. It was short lived however, as Voodoo had gotten word that Lancelot planned to kill him. How he got the info, this reporter has no idea, but the message was loud and clear. It was either him or Lancelot. Once again another war raged, this one much shorter than the last. Lancelot was dead and Chicago had won yet another war.

Peace spreads across the land for now. For how long? I do not know. I will tell you this. When war comes again it will not come with banners, and streamers. No, it will come for you in your bed, someday when you least expect it.

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Interviews:

These interviews were conducted on IRC avenue. Things discussed and opinions given by the interviewee may not necessarily reflect those of TheReporter, or this paper.

The first interview was an interesting one with Hayley. Her father died in the Bronx take down. His name was Cole_Holland.

01:52 <Reporter> Hayley from this point forward this will be recorded are you ok with that?
01:52 <Hayley> yes
01:54 <Reporter> Perfect. Let's start. I heard you were effected by not only the take down of Bronx but that wars after. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
01:57 <Hayley> Well, it all started with the Bronx. It wasn't well known, but we had planned on taking down Whoreable at first
01:57 <Hayley> It was planned for the same morning that Remus came after us
01:58 <Reporter> Interesting coincidence
01:58 <Hayley> But, Remus had his own plans and we were gone before we had a chance
01:58 <Hayley> I had my own thoughts that someone in New York was also involved, but can't prove it
01:58 <Reporter> Who do you think?
01:59 <Hayley> I have a feeling it may have been Whoreable, but again can't say for sure. She knew that we were possibly coming after her
01:59 <Reporter> So there was a leak.
01:59 <Hayley> There had to be more than one family involved to take down all of us so quickly
02:00 <Hayley> Martii and Madara also knew about the takedown
02:00 <Reporter> Aside from the street post by Remus. Do you think he had other reasons?
02:01 <Hayley> His main reason was because of Sweetdevil. She wanted to join his crew, but Lucky would not let her. I don't believe one bit that it was about disrespect
02:02 <Hayley> I've known Lucky for a long time, he has never been disrespectful
02:02 <Hayley> I had hinted on it in the streets, but Sweetdevil was unhappy about RHM being taken away
02:03 <Hayley> One of the main reasons why she wanted to leave
02:03 <Reporter> So you think she wanted to leave but lucky said no and that caused Remus to get involved
02:03 <Hayley> That is my thoughts on it
02:04 <Reporter> But taking out a whole district to get one person? Come on. That seems a little extreme
02:04 <Hayley> Lucky would not let her leave as she was a hand, had knowledge of family information, and a high rank
02:04 <Hayley> Taking out a whole district because Remus supposedly had his feelings hurt is extreme also
02:05 <Hayley> Either way, it was nonsense, undeserved
02:06 <Reporter> Do you think the subsequent war on CH showed more of this extreme side of Remus?
02:07 <Hayley> I believe that it was actually Chicago that started that war against him
02:07 <Hayley> Dollface had some allies that were not pleased with what Remus did
02:08 <Reporter> Tell me more about that. Didn't DT take the first shots?
02:08 <Hayley> As far as the war, I'm not sure who took the first shots. I only have the information that was given to me. That Chicago was asked to remove him
02:09 <Hayley> I could see Remus taking the first shots, as Chicago and Obstacle were allies of ours
02:10 <Hayley> Whoreable was also on their list to go, as she was causing problems. Which also makes me suspect she was involved in the destruction of the Bronx
02:10 <Reporter> What are your thoughts on the war with DT? Handled correctly?
02:11 <Hayley> I'm slightly biased due to the side I was on. But I do feel that taking Remus out was justified. He made a bad move, gave a poor excuse
02:12 <Hayley> And unfortunately Alice was his ally, so she was involved too
02:13 <Reporter> Thoughts on the leaders involved? I think we know your opinion on Remus. What about the others. Alice, Spartacus. Jaime ect.
02:14 <Hayley> I think just about everyone was involved at some point. Some of the leaders, I'm not really familiar with. I hadn't been with Dollface long enough to get to know people
02:14 <Hayley> But I know that a lot of the leaders were allied with Chicago
02:15 <Reporter> That's understandable
02:15 <Reporter> So what's next for Hayley??
02:16 <Hayley> Well, I've never been one to dwell on the past. Its best to start over and move on. I have joined a great family, where I will put in the work, and see where it takes me
02:17 <Reporter> Great. That's all we can do. Anything else you would like to add?
02:18 <Hayley> I just want the truth to be heard, which from what has been said in the streets, our side was made very clear
02:18 <Hayley> But there is not much else that I can add as far as the recent events
02:19 <Reporter> Well thank you very much for your time I know how busy the mob life can be.
02:19 <Hayley> Glad that I can share my thoughts, thank you

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The next was a controversial interview, with a man named RemusLupin.

22:14 <Reporter> RemusLupin from this point forward this will be recorded are you okay with that?
22:16 <RemusLupin> As long as you don't turn this footage over to the feds I'm good.
22:17 <Reporter> Lol well I don't think that will be an issue. It's an audio recording.
22:18 <Reporter> So I take that as a yes?
22:19 <RemusLupin> Yes that is fine.
22:23 <Reporter> Okay good. How are you this evening? Robbing any post offices lately?
22:25 <RemusLupin> I'm doing great, how are you? I've robbed my fair share of post offices in my time and don't to get to excited with those things anymore.
22:27 <Reporter> Alright with all do respect I don't really like to dance through the tulips. I think the question on everyone's mind is why did you do it?
22:28 <RemusLupin> I don't plan on dancing in any tulips anytime so no worries there.
22:29 <RemusLupin> So why did I do what? Why did I rogue when Curtis died? Why did I side with LV and NY in the PH war? Why did I take out the Bronx? Or why did I order the shots on Obstacle and Zed? Your going to have to be more specific.
22:31 <Reporter> Let's start with why you rogued in the first place. When Curtis died.
22:39 <RemusLupin> Well well well... Curtis was what I thought a good friend of mine. Loved the guy. May god rest his soul, he was a great mobster. Him and his buddies killed my father and the rest of Detroit, just to bloodline a friend of my father's. Detroit had done nothing wrong other than employ the great great grandson of somebody they didn't like.
22:42 <RemusLupin> I wasn't too happy about the way my father died, so I ranked up so I could do something about it. I was building and training just to shoot Godfather Curtis when finally a man by the name of Latin beat me to the kill. Seizing the opportunity I decided to fly in and shoot at some Curtis's known big hitters.
22:43 <Reporter> So RemusLupin was essentially a man on a mission, a mission to kill Curtis? Interesting. After the war what happened? You say you seized the opportunity. No one cared about you going rogue?
22:46 <RemusLupin> I'm sure they cared and I know there had to be talks about killing me, but PH had just been completely crushed by a Rogue by the name of Fabio that night. Fabio managed to kill Godfather Tetley, Godfather Archy, Don Socrates, Don IllFated, and Don Tyke in a very short amount of time. All of his targets were known and believed to have maximum efficiency at killing people. I assumed PH kept me around for the chance that they could get me to fill one of the voids of the many good guns they lost that night.
22:47 <Reporter> Okay they let you live and everything was peachy. Then you say you sided with LV and NY in the PH war. You were in PH at the time still? Tell me about that.
22:50 <RemusLupin> Yes I was still in PH at the time. While talking to some friends from LV they mentioned that NY and LV thought that PH and DT had intentions on taking them out soon. So LV offered that if I help them attack and kill DT and PH with them that I would be given my father's old city of DT as a gift for my services if we lived through it. The plan seemed to be a suicide mission but I agreed to die to get a few more kills, seeing as I was a rouge that had long outlived his expiration date anyways. Killing a few more people that served the empire that helped to destroy my father's city sounded like a pleasurable thing to do at the time. But before the war kicked off, and very oddly to me at the time. Philly turned on their alliance with DT b/c of the killing of Godfather Curtis and killed DT, what would've been a strong ally in the coming war. After DT was out of the way thanks to PH, the task of killing PH seemed so much easier. Not long after that the PH worldwide war kicked off lasting 59 hours.
22:54 <Reporter> So it seems to me you didn't really give a shit about any loyalty to your CL, your city, or anyone else. You just wanted to kill as many people as possible. It came to my attention that after this was all said and done, you were sitting pretty good in DT. Yet instead of laying back, you still pressed on. Bronx, then your attack on CH, if I have the correct information. I guess why is a repetitive question, but myself, and I think the world would like to know.
22:57 <RemusLupin> Well I was a man blinded by vengeance and revenge, I was loyal to my plan to shed the blood of the people who killed my people. With Bronx and CH, the simplest answer is that I entered into an alliance with LV. And LV claimed that PH had their back, and that we were in a joint PH, LV, DT alliance. We talked for a couple weeks about the removal of both NY and CH and the so called PH, LV, DT alliance. We agreed both NY and CH had to go seeing as they weren't in the alliance. We just disagreed on when to make the move. LV wanted to wait a few weeks while I wanted to make the moves sooner rather than later. Of course there is always more to decisions like this, but simply put it was about power and attempting to solidify the so called alliance's foothold on the world. 
22:59 <Reporter> You are saying that LV and PH turned on you after the initial strike on CH. I guess that answers a lot of unanswered questions. Do you regret anything?
23:01 <RemusLupin> I wouldn't say I regret anything. Maybe some stuff I would've done differently knowing what I know now but I don't like to live with regrets. 
23:01 <Reporter> So what's next for RemusLupin?
23:02 <RemusLupin> Shit idk, guess I'm gonna see if anybody will give my son a home. If not I guess I'll take a break and see if anything changes in a month or two.
23:03 <Reporter> Alright well I'm sure you will find a good home. Anything else you would like to add?
23:07 <RemusLupin> I'd like to just say thank you to all the men and women that stood and fought along my side even through my craziness. Some of you died for me several times on that run to protect me and to see me through each war. I love each of you for your sacrifices you made, both new friends and old friends alike. Much love to you all and maybe our children will cross paths again in another life.
23:08 <Reporter> Thank you very much for your time Remus.
 

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There you have it folks. As you can see, there are always three sides to every story. Their side, your side, and the truth. I leave that up to you all to decide.

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That does it for this edition of The Mafia Herald. I thank you all for taking the time to read. As always we want to hear from you. If you have breaking story or some random gossip. Write TheReporter PO Box 12423, Chicago, Illinois.

After reading through the Mafia Herald, Scribe put the paper down shook his head and said aloud to himself:

"Phew. Now that's some good, professional work done by TheReporter."

TonyVegas had picked up a copy of the Herald from a stand down the way in Detroit. It took him just one block to read the front page and on the next corner he nails a long shot to the bin on the corner. 

Great read he thinks to himself. I do love a good newspaper to catch up on all the action I've missed from around the cities. I do hope next week there is a bit more news though. This weeks edition almost seems like a pamphlet on the recent war. I recall a paper written by a talented reporter called Sprozza a fair few years back now which was brimming with news and gossip. Hear say and obituaries. 

Never the less, great to have a paper again. Long may it continue. 

Tony spots The Reporter on the very next street leaving his print shop. He doffs his cap and smiles then continues his day.

Shortly after seeing TheReporter in the streets, Tony headed back to his office to track down a copy of the old paper he had just been thinking about in The Streets. He searched his filing cabinets thoroughly but just couldn't remember the name of the publication. He headed back to The Streets to see if a passer by might be able to help.

"Anyone? The paper must have been published about 3 years ago now, I'm pretty sure by Sprozza but not 100%. Its lasted a fair few weeks though. Any help would be great, I my mind had gone completely blank"

Alas.. the 'Mafia Herald' finally hits the streets. Chase was excited after seeing an advertisement for it, just the other day. The idea of some insight on recent events was enough to keep some on the edge of their seats. Chase walked down to the corner  news stand to find they had already sold out of the Prologue edition. He stood there scratching his head.. thinking of another stand within walking distance. Not able to think of any, he shrugs his shoulders and walks back to HQ. He had business to handle on the other side of town anyway.. so he called to the garage to have his car brought up around front. 

Chase walks out to his car and heads off to the North side of town. He knew of a few places he'd be able to pick up the paper...

He pulls over and parks in front of the North Side Barber Shop. He figured he'd go inside and collect before he went over to the paper stand. When he looked over toward the paper stand.. the paper boy was holding up a copy while shouting "The first edition of the Mafia Herald heeere! Come get your copy now, before they go! Mafia Herald heeeere!" 

Chase hurried inside, collected dues and walked over to the paper stand. "Got a couple copies left sir. You're just in time. Two cents please!" The boy put the two cents in his pocket and handed Chase his newly purchased copy of the first Mafia Herald.

"Thanks kid! It'll have been worth the drive, I'm sure." Chase nods and tips the brim of his fedora toward the boy.. smiling and walking back to his car. Once inside.. he opens the paper up and proceeds to read. 

Ten or so minutes had passed when suddenly Chase hears constant honking of a car horn and a voice shouting "Hey!! Hey jackass!! You just gonna sit there all day or you gonna move and let others park?!" Not amused, Chase get's out of his car and walks over toward the man shouting from his car window. As he walks up, without saying anything, he punches the man in the face. One punch and the man starts bleeding badly from his nose. "You broke my nose!!" said the man.. while trying to catch the blood gushing from his nose. "You shouldn't have been talking shit! Next time keep your mouth shut!" Chase collected himself.. looking around at the watchers from the sidewalks. He walked back to his car and headed back to the South Side. 

After reading the paper.. he felt a bit more informed. He was also very impressed at how well the article was put together. The next edition was certain to be as good if not better. Impressive reporting, like this, needed to be recognized. Chase had to get a hold of TheReporter and thank him for his fine work...

Smiles at TonyVegas.

"Thank you for your input sir. I had planned to make this paper differently, but with the war fresh in our minds I decided to do a prologue issue. I hope to hear more of your opinion when issue #1 is released in less than a week!"

Turns his attention to Chase.

"I really appreciate the enthusiasm Chase. I hope issue #1 lives up to your expectations. I had no idea the paper sold out so fast. Perhaps I will have to order more prints this time. Also Chase, that impatient asshole in the car had it coming. Give him a shot in the face for me too!"

that was a top read. Some excellent insight into the goings on behind the war for us more lowly mobsters not privy to it all. I look forward to future issues 

Listens to SoulBadboy, and nods understandingly.

"Thank you SoulBadBoy. That was one of the contributing factors in releasing this prologue paper. I believe in full disclosure. I'm glad you enjoyed it sir!"

"The interview was taken shortly before his death. He gave this reporter the exclusive. I will be sure to include a more accurate time frame in future interviews, if there happen to be some."

It would be an interesting concept to use publications such as this one to deliver the news of war and rumours of new mafia crews emerging, rather than the standard introductory speeches that few will pay heed to. An article describing the events retrospectively - or more interestingly, during, events of a war would remove the need for battle weary mob bosses to come out here and decide how much information they want to reveal. 

If they're not obliged to deliver news, someone else can gather a perspective from all parties. I would however, question your position to be that impartial reporter, as some may not reveal the full story to a fellow mobster.

I must say, this was indeed a very interest read and would like to say a job very well done.

I shall look forward to running out to purchase the next issue from you.

"An interesting concept indeed SammyGato. I know a lot of times, leaders are busy with important matters and don't find the time to explain to the masses their actions. I in no way volunteer myself to such a task, but if the time comes where it's needed again perhaps I will see how things go. I'm under the impression that crew leaders are not obligated to explain anything, and that I agree with."

A warm smile grows on TheReporter's face.

"Thank you Diffi for your kind words. I can't wait to see what you think about next weeks edition!"

Having read through the "prologue edition" Paul felt TheReporter had done well to reveal just what went down.

"It's no GwarbleBarble, but it's a fine read, reporter. I look forward to the next edition."

Adorkable walks home to her family's HQ after a long trip away of doing petties, felonies and jailbreaks in other cities. She notices a newspaper on the counter and she picks it up, grabs a glass of whiskey and sits on her favorite fluffy couch. She notices the paper was written by her follow crew member TheReporter, she remembered him taking to the streets to ask for people to interview for his paper. She wasn't surprised that people would jump at the chance to speak their side of the story. She takes a sip of her whiskey and opens up the paper and begins to read. 

About 20 minutes later she had finished reading the paper and she loved it. She got up to go track down TheReporter but just as she stood up he appeared out of the shadows and said, "Well?" Adorkable smiles and says "I love it! I can't wait for the next edition to be out, I am thinking about opening up a business and I'll be sure to look you up when it's open for some advertising. Also if you need any help with anything don't hesitate to ask, I love helping out!" TheReporter smirked and says, "Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. I worked hard on it and I'll be sure to let you know if I need anything. I'll be sure to cut you a deal for advertising space as well." Adorkable yawns unexpectedly and giggles a little nervously, "Sorry, you're not boring at all, I'm just tired. I should go take a nap or something, jet lag you know? Let me know!" 
 

Adorkable turns to head off to the nearest bed hoping to get more than a wink of sleep before having to head back off for some business.

I have missed seeing papers personally, sadly they are often short lived or dissapear in the streets as something more contreversial appears. The paper was a fine read and would love to see and hear more especially from those involved in the war or from the journals of their offspring.

I look forward to the next publication.

Quiet Joe woke up from his sleep and was quite excited.  He was sure that today would be the day that The Mafia Herald Second Edition would come out.  He was away from home in Las Vegas and didn't have the normal hustle and bustle of LA life to take care of.  He had a couple of business meetings late in the day so he had time to run down to the hotel lobby, sip on a few cups of coffee and enjoy the read.

He dressed for the day and made his way down to the little coffee shop in the hotel lobby, got himself a complimentary coffee and purchased a paper.  As he stirred his creamer and cooled his coffee he opened up the paper and began to read.

Dammit!  This is still last week's edition!  Oh well, it was a good enough read that I'll go thru it again.

Joseph greeted a couple of patrons that sprinkled in to the coffee shop and began to re-read the paper.

It was a gloomy rainy day when WhoreAbully awoke. She wanted one more hour to sleep but knew she had to get up if she was going to make it on time to her early morning appointment. She quickly got ready and while still putting her gloves on she got into her bodyguard's, Miles Long, car that was parked and waiting for her just inside the front gate. 

Miles, it seems we actually have a little time before the appointment, please pull into the coffee shop. I'll buy you a cup of coffee. I think we could both use some caffeine at this early hour.

Miles let WhoreAbully out by the front door of the little coffee shop and proceeded to drive around to the back to park the car.

WhoreAbully chose a nice quiet table in the back corner of the shop. She began to read the newspaper that was on the table while she waited for the waitress to come over and Miles to come in after parking the car.

Miles entered the little coffee shop, he was drenched from the rain. He looked around and nodded to WhoreAbully as she peeked out from behind the newspaper. He took of his wet overcoat and placed it on a hook by the front entrance, walked over to the table and sat down. He spoke to WhoreAbully even though he couldn't see her from behind the newspaper.

Oh I see you found a Mafia Herald, it looks a little wet as if someone used it to shield themselves from the rain.

WhoreAbully closed the newspaper and put it aside

Yes, it is a little damp but an excellent read. I don't know who "The Reporter" is, but he is a definitely a fellow I wouldn't mind tracking down and having a friendly chat with. 

They smiled at each other as the waitress came over and placed two cups of coffee on the table.

The GwarbleBarble! Thank you! That was really frustrating me! Lets hope this new publication lives up to the greats we have seen in the past in every way!

Reporter, if I can assist in anyway please let me know I would love to contribute!