Kursta

Kursta is a fictional city and administrative center in the world of Veridia, commonly featured in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing games. It is situated on the southern coast of the Shoren Sea, near the River Tal, with a harbor that links inland markets to distant ports. The city’s geography includes basalt cliffs to the west and a delta to the east, shaping urban form and trade routes.

Its history traces back to an early medieval foundation by the Kur clan, evolving into a cosmopolitan trade hub after the discovery of timber and salt resources. In many depictions, Kursta experiences periods of growth, conflict, and reconstruction, reflecting its role as a center of commerce and diplomacy.

In contemporary portrayals, Kursta is home to roughly 120,000 residents and features a diverse mix of neighborhoods, languages, and cultures. Veridian is commonly spoken, alongside minority languages in districts with migrant communities. The government is described as a city council elected from district delegates, with a ceremonial mayor and support from merchant and magistrate guilds.

The economy centers on port activities, timber, textiles, and fishing, with shipbuilding remaining a traditional craft. Cultural life includes markets, theaters, and a yearly festival of lamps during the winter solstice. Notable landmarks often cited are the Kursta Gate, the Lumina Bridge, and the Temple of the Tide.

Kursta serves as a versatile setting for political intrigue, trade diplomacy, and cross-cultural narratives, appearing across multiple works set in Veridia. See also Veridia, Shoren Sea, River Tal.