Overview |
| “ | I... am the one who grips! | ” |
–Kromer, Canto III: The Unconfronting | ||
Kromer is the One who Grips of N Corp.'s Inquisition and main antagonist of Canto III. She has a notable history with Sinclair, as she was a student who became personally involved in his life.
Appearance[]
Kromer's consistent physical traits consist of pale pink skin, silver eyes and silver hair with yellow highlights. Kromer's hair is prominently swept to the right, covering one of her right eye. Her hair is tied back in a short ponytail when in her school uniform, but seems to disappear when she returns, adorning her N. Corp Inquisitor plate armor.
Kromer's school uniform design consists of a long-sleeved white button up shirt overlaid by a green sweater vest with a large V-collar dipping down just below her chest. She wears shorts of a similar color that are rolled up, covering her knees. Kromer also wears ankle-high white socks and black shoes.
Kromer's N Corp. uniform consists of a bloodied white shirt with notable balloon sleeves shown on the right side. The left side of the shirt is covered by silver plate armor with red wax seal ribbons and a badge with N Corp's insignia. The shirt has a large V-collar shape that dips down to reach to her naval and is adorned with 4-pointed yellow stars. Beneath that shirt is another, cleaner top with a more rounded, protruding collar to the left and right sides. Beneath Kromer's neck is a cravat fading from white to yellow upwards. Atop that tie is a red wax seal and a bloodied ribbon with red writing. Her neck also sports yellow, slim armor that ends just beneath her chin. Her uniform has up to four different belts of various size, The largest being a yellow, cincture-tied belt with a large silver buckle. The other three are black belts, with two slimmer ones on Kromer's right thigh. A thin yellow string connects between the larger black belt and one of the thinner ones. Her pants are of similar color to her upper half, however it is mostly covered by silver plate armor that extends from her upper thigh to her feet, with red wax seals planted around. Finally, Kromer wears a dirtied white cape that hits the floor.
Personality[]
Kromer was the spark of the rampant violence and hatred against prostheses. She displayed extreme levels of sadism, obsession, and savagery. She saw prosthetic users as heretics, in her own words, and called for intense mutilation of those who get these surgeries. It is clear she took extreme pleasure in murder and infliction of pain, laughing with no remorse at her actions.
In Sinclair's memories, it is clear Kromer had always had an authoritative grip over him. Being the first bond Sinclair makes in school, she took advantage of his naivety.
Kromer developed an obsession with the flesh, as seen in Sinclair's memories, where she excitedly stared at a flesh abnormality. This obsession drove her to the point that she had a church built within Sinclair's basement, with facilities dedicated to creating Corroded Inquisitors. As she resonated with the Golden Bough, she also turned into a fleshy abomination with joyous glee.
Observation Logs[]
Log Writer: Sinclair
But I will, if I have to.
I haven't fought Kromer before or seen how N Corp's troop fight... But from what I could tell, she probably knows how to use a sword. She always carried one with her.
As for her looks... not too different from what I remember, except a little taller...
And, that disorienting laughter...
Unnh, can I stop here?
→ None of this helps. (Faust)
She murdered everyone in the back lines...
Blowing that stupid whistle... She came to me, too...
I couldn't do anything... Hearing that sound makes me go all stiff...
I could only watch as Kromer slew the others...
I wanted to crush her skull so dearly... But I couldn't move a muscle.
What should I do... Can you tell me, manager?
I'm, still scared of Kromer.
Looking at her face makes my face twitch, and her blade gives me the chills.
Her maniacal eyes remind me of the tragedy on Christmas, and her creepy grin still has my eyes quivering.
But...
But I'm okay now.
I can stand up to her whistles now.
The things she's done are too vile for me to stand by, and I'd be too ashamed to see the Sinners she's killed if I let that bitch go.
I've changed a lot since then.
I've died a lot of deaths, and claimed a lot of lives.
I can go mad all the same now.
So, I will for sure…
I'll skewer her chest with a stake, over and over again.
→ You've got a good mindset. I like that. (Heathcliff)
→ While the willingness to fight is admirable, this log is for observations rather than decrees of your determination. (Faust)
→ Sorry… I'll do it right next time. (Sinclair)
Log Writer: Sinclair
And that obsession cumulated into what we're seeing now... A gruesome creature.
At first... I agreed with her. The idea of replacing the flesh with something else was unpleasant to me.
But now I see. What's really unpleasant...is believing that your thought is the only correct one...and letting that thought consume your mind whole.
Trivia[]
- Kromer is based off of Franz Kromer from Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth by Hermann Hesse.
- In the novel, Franz Kromer is a bully who extorts Emil Sinclair for money by threatening to report him to the police after Sinclair lies about stealing apples. Upon learning of the situation, Max Demian offers to help Sinclair and scares Kromer away. In this book, Demian is an almost unnaturally precocious youth who first meets Sinclair while still in grade school. From early on, he is always seen as out of the ordinary. He is an outcast from society, but an immensely special outcast. He inspires Sinclair at many of the steps along his route to self-discovery. Even when the two are not together, Sinclair often feels Demian's influence. Demian is, more than anyone else, the character responsible for getting Sinclair to recognize the importance of living for himself and breaking free of societal constraints. Demian, who seems to have all this figured out at quite a young age, mentors Sinclair, remaining present in his life until he has fully matured. He is a youth several years older than Sinclair who acts as Emil's guide in his search for fulfillment. Demian's name parallels his function; he is Sinclair's daemon or inner spirit. His function and human superiority is further related to his first name, as it is possibly a shortened form of "maximus." Demian and his actions frequently cannot be rationally explained as he is the product of "magical thinking.
Franz Kromer is a pivotal character in the novel, playing a crucial role in the development of the protagonist, Emil Sinclair. Kromer's character embodies the darker aspects of human nature and serves as a catalyst for Sinclair's journey toward self-awareness and personal growth. His influence on Sinclair is both profound and destructive, making him a complex and significant figure in the narrative.
Franz Kromer is introduced as a neighborhood bully who exerts a powerful and malevolent influence over the young Emil Sinclair. Kromer is older and more worldly than Sinclair, and he quickly exploits Sinclair's naivety and desire for acceptance. When Sinclair tells a fabricated story about stealing apples to impress Kromer and his friends, Kromer seizes the opportunity to blackmail Sinclair. He demands money from Sinclair under the threat of revealing the lie to Sinclair's parents and the authorities.
Kromer's bullying is not merely physical but psychological. He represents a pervasive threat that undermines Sinclair's sense of security and innocence. Kromer's relentless tormenting forces Sinclair into a state of constant fear and anxiety, isolating him from his family and his previously idyllic life. This manipulation highlights Kromer's cunning and malicious nature, as he takes pleasure in exerting control over Sinclair.
Kromer's character is a symbol of darkness and corruption, acting as a representation of the sinful, base elements of human nature. His influence marks the beginning of Sinclair's awareness of the duality of the world—the coexistence of light and darkness, good and evil. Kromer embodies the world of darkness, pulling Sinclair away from the sheltered, "light" world of his family and exposing him to the harsh realities of life.
Through Kromer, Hesse explores themes of guilt, fear, and the loss of innocence. Sinclair's interactions with Kromer force him to confront his own capacity for deceit and wrongdoing. This confrontation is a crucial step in Sinclair's psychological development, as it prompts him to question the rigid moral structures imposed by society and his family.
The dynamic between Sinclair and Kromer changes with the introduction of Max Demian. Demian is an enigmatic and charismatic figure who befriends Sinclair and eventually helps him break free from Kromer's grip. Demian's influence is in stark contrast to Kromer's; while Kromer represents oppression and fear, Demian represents enlightenment and self-discovery.
Demian encourages Sinclair to confront Kromer and stand up to him. This confrontation is a turning point for Sinclair, symbolizing his first step toward independence and self-assertion. Demian's guidance helps Sinclair see that Kromer's power over him is rooted in his own fear and guilt. By overcoming these emotions, Sinclair is able to break free from Kromer's control.
Kromer's methods of bullying are characterized by psychological manipulation. He understands that fear is a powerful tool and uses it effectively to dominate Sinclair. Kromer's threats are often implicit rather than explicit, creating an environment of constant dread and uncertainty for Sinclair. This manipulation is a reflection of Kromer's understanding of human psychology and his ability to exploit it for his own gain.
Kromer's manipulation also serves to isolate Sinclair from his support system. By making Sinclair feel guilty and ashamed, Kromer ensures that Sinclair does not seek help from his parents or friends. This isolation deepens Sinclair's sense of helplessness and entrapment, further cementing Kromer's control over him.
Kromer also represents the social hierarchies and power dynamics of the world Sinclair is beginning to understand. Kromer's dominance over Sinclair is not just a personal power struggle but also a reflection of societal structures where the stronger prey on the weaker. Kromer's character highlights the harsh realities of the social world, where power and control often dictate relationships.
Through Kromer, Hesse critiques the superficial moral righteousness of society. Kromer's actions are clearly wrong, yet he operates within a world where such behavior can go unchecked and unpunished, especially when it targets the vulnerable. This critique is a recurring theme in Hesse's work, questioning the moral and ethical foundations of society.
Despite the negative aspects of Kromer's influence, his role in Sinclair's life is ultimately a catalyst for growth. Kromer's bullying forces Sinclair to confront his own fears and insecurities, setting him on a path of self-discovery. The experience with Kromer teaches Sinclair valuable lessons about courage, integrity, and the complexity of human nature.
Kromer's presence in the story underscores the idea that personal growth often comes through adversity. Sinclair's eventual liberation from Kromer's control is a significant milestone in his journey toward self-awareness and maturity. It marks the beginning of Sinclair's transformation from a passive, fearful boy into a more self-assured and independent individual.
Franz Kromer is a complex character whose influence on Emil Sinclair is both profoundly negative and crucial for Sinclair's development. Kromer represents the darker side of human nature and serves as a catalyst for Sinclair's journey toward self-awareness and personal growth. Through his bullying and psychological manipulation, Kromer forces Sinclair to confront his own fears and insecurities, ultimately setting him on a path of self-discovery and enlightenment. Kromer's role in "Demian" underscores the idea that personal growth often comes through adversity and that the journey to self-awareness is fraught with challenges and confrontations with the darker aspects of human nature.
- Kromer was the first human enemy character to have both types of Resistance.
- Kromer The Dreamer Of Human Wholeness bears a striking resemblance to the Peccatulum Luxuriae. Sinclair also notes that the Peccatulum reminds him of Kromer in his observation log.
- Incidentally, the Peccatulum Luxuriae first appears in the same dungeon that Kromer acts as the final boss of.
A Staggered Kromer when facing The One Who Shall Grip Sinclair
- If The One Who Shall Grip Sinclair is deployed in the battle against Kromer, she will become staggered on the first turn and say "Aah... Could it... You're... My Sinclair...?!"
- This was the first unique interaction between an enemy and a specific Identity.
- Before the May 10th 2023 update, Kromer instead said "Ah... You... No way.... My Sinclair?"
- Although her exact role regarding N Corp. is unknown, she is most likely a high-ranking figurehead in the corporation.
- The N Corp. Inquisition is a faction of N Corp. that are particularly violent in their views on prosthetics. Kromer leads this faction, but the faction does not stand for N Corp. as a whole.
- It's heavily implied that most of the Nagel Und Hammer inquisitors were brainwashed as a part of an experiment within the Wing that occurred recently, as the Inquisition branch used to be a fringe group. It's unclear if Kromer was brainwashed herself or was behind the brainwashing.
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