Kromine is the administrative capital and largest city of District IX (Decelska) in the eastern Divine Republic of Kresimiria.
Historically known as the “Spiritual Capital” of the Republic due to its deep ties to the Sons of Kresimir movement, Kromine has undergone a radical transformation in the 21st century. Under the influence of local billionaire-turned-politician Ari Stov, the city has reinvented itself as the nation’s technology hub. Today, it is characterized by a stark architectural and cultural divide between the ancient, religious “Old City” and the futuristic, corporate “New East,” anchored by the headquarters of YakaSys. It is often compared with its neighbour city in Decelska, Karlovac.
History
The Theological Stronghold (1885–1990)
During the Vosti era, Kromine was the center of Kresimirian intellectual nationalism.
Following the Unification War, the city became the political base of Kresimir Basic, the Divine Founder and leader of the hardline religious right. For decades, Kromine was the ideological engine of the Republic, producing the vast majority of the nation’s Diviners and conservative politicians.
The city was scarred by violence in the mid-20th century.
- 1954: Kresimir Basic was assassinated by BRC-21 terrorists while riding a tram in the city center.
During the late 20th century, the city’s politics were dominated by the husband-and-wife activist team Ivan and Marta Stov. Operating a formidable grassroots machine, they maintained Kromine as a fortress for the Sons of Kresimir party, resisting the liberalizing trends of the capital.
The Silicon Transformation (1995–Present)
The city’s trajectory shifted in 1995 when Ivan and Marta’s son, Ari Stov, founded Stov Systems (later YakaSys) in a small warehouse near the river. As the company grew into a state-contracted tech giant, it began to reshape the city’s economy.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, massive investment flowed into Kromine. Old textile mills were converted into server farms for the KresiX infrastructure, and the skyline was pierced by the construction of the Silicon Spire. This rapid modernization created a new demographic of secular technocrats, leading to political tension with the traditional religious population.
In 2013, the city was the site of the high-profile assassination of director Zarko Zaki by AFIM, an event that Ari Stov used to justify the implementation of the Digital Vigilance Act.
Geography and Cityscape
Kromine is bisected by the Decel River, creating two distinct urban zones often referred to as “The Robe and the Chip.”
The West Bank (Old City)
The historic core of Kromine. It is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, Neoclassical buildings, and religious monuments.
- The University District: Dominated by the campus of the Kromine Innovation Centre.
- Martyr’s Square: The site of Kresimir Basic’s assassination, now a somber memorial plaza dominated by the Church of the Founder.
- Atmosphere: Quiet, conservative, and traditional. Alcohol sales are restricted in this district on holy days.
The East Bank (New East)
The modern commercial district, developed largely by GradnjaMC in the 2000s.
- The Silicon Spire: The headquarters of YakaSys. At 60 stories, it is the tallest building in central Kresimiria. Its glass façade is illuminated at night with the blue and white colors of the corporate logo.
- Tech Park: A zone of startups, luxury apartments, and digital infrastructure hubs.
- Atmosphere: Cosmopolitan, secular, and fast-paced. This area is the stronghold of the modernizing wing of Blue Dawn.
Economy
Kromine has the highest GDP per capita of any city outside of Sinj. Its economy rests on two pillars:
- Technology: YakaSys is the city’s largest employer. The “Kromine Corridor” hosts dozens of subsidiary firms that manage the KresCom data centers and maintain the Guardian Daemon surveillance network.
- Education: KIC remains a massive economic driver, employing thousands of academics and support staff.
Politics
Kromine is the bellwether for the internal conflict within the Kresimirian right-wing.
- Historical: For most of the 20th century, it was the safest seat in the country for the Sons of Kresimir (SoK).
- Current: Since 2002, the district has been represented by Ari Stov of Blue Dawn. Stov has successfully built a coalition of old-guard nationalists (loyal to his family name) and new-money technocrats (loyal to his business success).
However, tension remains. Malik Kondratiev (current SoK leader) frequently holds rallies in the Old City, accusing the “New East” of moral degeneracy, while the Civic Renewal Front has gained ground in the university district among students.
Transport
Kromine is a major hub for Republic Rail. The Decelska Connector line links the city to Sinj in under two hours. The city also possesses an extensive tram network, modernized in 2010, though the specific line where Kresimir Basic was killed was permanently retired and turned into a pedestrian memorial walk.