Kraus

Lore & Background

Kraus represents the bureaucratic yet violent face of the Nazi occupation in the alternate timeline. Unlike the flamboyant and sadistic Deathshead, Kraus is methodical, often preferring psychological pressure and strategic suppression over immediate execution, though he possesses no qualms about ordering mass killings when necessary. He views the American resistance not as a military threat but as an infestation that must be cleansed to preserve the purity of the Reich's victory. His relationship with the protagonist is one of cat-and-mouse tension, where Kraus constantly adapts his strategies to counter the hero's actions. He oversees the deployment of advanced weaponry and the interrogation of captured resistance fighters, ensuring that the narrative of German invincibility remains unbroken in the occupied territories. His leadership style inspires fear among both the occupiers and the oppressed.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the streets of occupied Manhattan, reflecting the harsh neon glow of Reich propaganda posters. Kraus stood on the balcony of his fortified command center, watching a column of Panzers roll past the ruins of Times Square. He adjusted his gloves, his eyes cold as he listened to the reports coming in from the sector below. Another cell had been crushed, another hope extinguished. To him, this was not cruelty; it was efficiency. The world belonged to those with the will to take it, and Kraus intended to ensure that no one could ever challenge that truth again.

Reader's Guide

Following the catastrophic defeat of the United States in the mid-20th century, the Third Reich established a brutal occupation across North America. General Deathshead initially led the American front, utilizing his genius for weaponry to crush resistance. However, after Deathshead's death during a confrontation with the resistance leader, a power vacuum emerged within the SS command structure in New York. Kraus, a loyal and ruthless officer who had long served under Deathshead, stepped forward to fill this void. He reorganized the occupation forces, tightening control over the civilian population. Kraus's tenure is marked by an escalation in surveillance and the deployment of new terror technologies designed to break the spirit of the American populace. He personally oversees key operations aimed at decapitating the resistance movement, believing that total psychological domination is the only path to a permanent victory.

Did You Know?

• Kraus takes command of the New York occupation forces following the death of General Deathshead.
• He is known for his calm demeanor and methodical approach to eliminating threats to the Reich.
• Kraus plays a pivotal role in both The New Order and The New Colossus storylines.
• Unlike some other officers, Kraus focuses heavily on maintaining order through fear rather than just brute force.