Korteista

Korteista is a fictional region and cultural concept used in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. It denotes a coastal archipelago and its inhabitants, known for seafaring prowess, shipbuilding, and a tradition of open maritime trade.

Etymology: The name is a constructed term in the lore, combining regional linguistic roots meaning shore with a suffix that marks place and people.

Geography: Located in the northern seas of the imagined world, Korteista consists of rocky islets, sheltered fjord-like coves, and inland pine forests. Its climate is cool and windy, with frequent mists that favor navigation.

History: In the fictional chronology, Korteista emerged as a loose federation of harbor towns after migrations from neighboring coasts. It later formed a council of masters to regulate trade and defense, periodically confronting pirates and rival factions.

Culture and economy: The archipelago is noted for its craftsmanship—ropework, timber construction, and navigation instruments—as well as for storytelling and sea shanties. The people speak a coastal dialect with loanwords from neighboring regions.

In contemporary works, Korteista is used as a setting or backdrop for adventures, with variations across authors and games. It provides themes of resilience, maritime identity, and the tension between free ports and centralized authority.