Vost is the capital and largest city of the Federation of Boskenmark. Located on the banks of the Great Vost River in the southern plains of the continent, it is the political, cultural, and spiritual center of the Bosken nation.
For nearly five centuries, Vost was the seat of the Vosti Empire, the hegemon that ruled over modern-day Kresimiria and Kaskiv. As the “Imperial City,” it was once the wealthiest metropolis on the continent, known for its grand baroque architecture and the formidable Imperial Palace.
Following the Collapse of 1918, Vost underwent a traumatic transformation from the center of an empire to the capital of a diminished, revanchist state. Today, under the presidency of Viktor Luxenberg, the city is a stronghold of nationalism, characterized by monuments to the “Lost Lands” of the north and a deep-seated rivalry with the Kresimirian capital, Sinj.
History
The Imperial Zenith (1450–1918)
From the mid-15th century, Vost was the “City of Eagles.” The Vosti Emperors expanded the city rapidly, building the Cathedral of the Holy Icon (the center of the Pravoslavic Faith) and the massive Citadel of Administration. During this era, wealth flowed into Vost from the northern duchies (modern Kresimiria) and the eastern granaries (modern Kaskiv). It was a cosmopolitan hub where Kresi, Bosken, and Vosti dialects mixed freely.
The Great Collapse (1918)
The city’s golden age ended with the Continental War. The naval blockade by the Kingdom of Kruhlstutt starved the city, leading to the infamous “Turnip Winter” of 1917.
- The Abdication: On November 12, 1918, Imperator Valerian IV signed the instrument of abdication in the Blue Room of the Imperial Palace in Vost, effectively dissolving the Empire.
- The Partition: The declaration of independence by Kresimiria and Kaskiv stripped Vost of its tributary regions, plunging the city into economic depression.
The Federation Era (1918–Present)
The Hartschnell and Metzger Years
Under the first civilian president Stefan Hartschnell (1922–1948), Vost became a sanctuary for Bosken exiles fleeing Kresimiria. The city hosted the leadership of the militant group BRC-21, including Lev Ruka, who lived openly in the “Exile’s Quarter.”
Following the 1948 election of General Nielz Metzger, Vost was militarized. The city became the command center for the “Silent War” against Kresimiria.
- The 1957 Firebombings: On November 14, 1957, the socialist terrorist Lars Aach detonated a series of bombs across Vost’s government district, killing 34 people. The attack left physical scars on the city center and political scars on the Bosken psyche, justifying Metzger’s crackdown on civil liberties.
The Liberal Interlude (1975–2005)
Under President Ivan Piltz and later Boris Musaus, Vost attempted to reinvent itself as a modern commercial hub. The Vost Economic Forum was established to attract foreign investment, and the “Piltz Détente” led to a thawing of relations with Sinj. The skyline began to change with the construction of the Vost Financial Centre.
The Nationalist Return (2005–Present)
Since the election of Viktor Luxenberg in 2005, Vost has returned to its roots as a center of nationalist resistance. The city is frequently the site of massive rallies demanding the “liberation” of Moraviskameja.
Cityscape and Landmarks
Vost is defined by the contrast between its imperial grandeur and its modern, concrete expansion.
The Imperial District (Center)
The historic heart of the city, characterized by wide boulevards and heavy stone architecture.
- The Presidential Palace: Formerly the Imperial Palace. It is the residence of President Luxenberg and the headquarters of the Bosken National Alliance (BNA).
- The Federal Diet: The parliament building, where the Jannik Vorreich administration faced the “Statement of No Confidence” in 1998.
- Cathedral of the Holy Icon: The spiritual home of the Pravoslavic Faith. It houses the “Weeping Icon,” a religious artifact said to shed tears for the divided Bosken nation.
The Industrial Ring (Outer Vost)
Surrounding the historic center is a belt of factories and worker tenements. This area was the power base of the socialist Workers of Vost party and President Jannik Vorreich in the 1990s. It remains economically depressed compared to the center.
Monuments
- The Monument to the Unattained: A large, empty plinth in the central square, officially dedicated to the “Future Reintegration of District X.”
- The Thirty-Four Memorial: A stone pillar marking the site of the 1957 bus station bombing by Lars Aach.
Politics and Government
Vost is a Federal District, distinct from the surrounding provinces. It is the stronghold of the Bosken National Alliance.
- The “Vost Clique”: A term used to describe the circle of intelligence officers, military veterans, and politicians who dominate the federal government. Current President Viktor Luxenberg is the central figure of this clique.
- Sanctuary City: Despite the 1961 Treaty, Vost remains a safe haven for hardline separatists. The Bosken Heritage Foundation maintains a large office here, and figures like Kristrad Bronstein lived here in exile until their deaths.
Economy
Vost’s economy is service-oriented, dominated by the federal government and the military-industrial complex.
- The OAB: The headquarters of the Bosken Intelligence Service (OAB) is a major employer.
- Finance: The liberal reforms of the 1980s created a banking sector that facilitates trade with the Kingdom of Kruhlstutt, though this sector suffered under the protectionist policies of the 2010s.