Padkoot

Padkoot is a small town and administrative center of Padkoot District in the eastern highlands of Veridia. It sits along the Pad River, about 60 kilometers north of the regional capital. The name Padkoot is thought to derive from the Padkoot language, combining elements that roughly translate to "waterside hill." Padkoot developed around a river crossing in the medieval period and remained a rural market town for centuries. Its growth was linked to timber, quarrying, and agriculture, though the modern economy emphasizes dairy farming, small-scale crafts, and local trade.

The town is governed by a mayor and council. It has a population of about 8,400 residents, with a mix of agricultural workers and service-sector employees. Education includes one primary school and a secondary school. Key cultural features include an annual Harvest Festival, traditional weaving, and the Padkoot Market, which has operated since the 15th century. The local language, Padkootian, is spoken alongside Veridian.

Notable landmarks include the 12th-century Padkoot Church, the Riverside Market, and the Old Quarry Park. Transport is centered on a regional highway; there is a small rail spur that operates seasonally. The town serves as a local hub for surrounding farms and crafts, while maintaining a compact community atmosphere that is common to many settlements in the Veridian highlands.