Kurast

Kurast is a city in Nahantu, and former capital of Kehjistan.

Lore

Kurast lies in the heart of Nahantu.^[1] A large ^[2] and sprawling city,^[1] the sailor Meshif described Kurast as beautiful before it fell to Mephisto's corruption, and called it "the greatest city in the world," a "paradise" where the air had a perfumed scent. Deckard Cain likewise described it as "glorious."^[3] The people of Kurast regarded their city as the center of the world.^[2] After its fall, however, its reputation plummeted—Leah regarded it as "a boil on the face of Sanctuary."^[4]

Within Kurast proper, its houses are constructed of stone. Narrow alleys run through it.^[4] The city is broadly divided into two parts—Upper and Lower Kurast. The former is home to large buildings, with a temple and reliquary looming over the city. Lower Kurast is the poorest section of the city, meant for laborers, and is a good place to hide.^[4] The city was linked to Travincal via a causeway.^[5]

Prior to its fall, disciples of the Light carried out a pilgrimage to the city.^[6]

History

An ancient city,^[3] Kurast became the capital of Kehjistan during the rise of the Zakarum faith, taking the role once held by Viz-jun. While the capital of Kehjistan,^[7] Kurast came to be under Zakarum control.^[8] Old tales spoke of a demon named Harsus once threatening the city.^[9]

Mephisto's Jungle

After his corruption of the Zakarum, Mephisto was able to control the church, and through it, the surrounding lands. Kurast thus suffered two-fold. The populace of Kurast was decimated, and demons roamed the surrounding land. Additionally, jungle growth, spurred on by Mephisto's power, began to consume the city.^[3] As the jungle engulfed Kurast, it became harder to tell where the jungle stopped and the city began.^[8] Soon, the only refuge left in Kurast were its docks, where a warding spell had been enacted to hold the jungle at bay.^[3] The people at the docks were choked with those trying to escape.^[4] Few people remained in the city proper, and their despair was evident. When a group of heroes arrived in the city, in pursuit of the Dark Wanderer, they noticed how disinterested the people appeared. As if they feared no harm, after the horrors they had already seen.^[5]

The heroes waged bloody combat throughout the streets of Kurast as they made their way to Travincal.^[7] But thanks to their efforts, Mephisto was defeated.^[10] The jungle began to die back, and retreat from Kurast.^[11]

In Hatred's Shadow

During its fall, Kurast nobles fled to Caldeum, where they remained,^[2] and Emperor Hakan I soon joined them. He made Caldeum the new capital of the Eastern Empire, where he remained until his last days.^[12] The truth of what had transpired in Kurast never made it to Caldeum, though rumors abounded.^[2] Paranoia existed for a time, that whatever darkness the nobles had fled had been carried along with them. The jungles around Kurast began to succumb to blight, so that years later, the once lush jungles were gray and stunted, where they had once been a verdant green.^[4]

After the 13 Kurast nobles died, nails were hammered into their heads to prevent them from rising as undead.^[13]

In Kurast itself, the rule of law collapsed, and it became a den of thieves, murderers, rapists, and a haven for those who sought escape from Hakan I's rule. This also included pirates, as Kurast was a good port of call for them to make landfall. They might sail along the coast, and then head for Caldeum, allowing them to bypass the land route that was patrolled by the Imperial Guard. Its temples remained abandoned.^[4]

By the later years of the Great Enmity, Kurast had recovered to an extent, becoming the de facto capital of Nahantu. Part of the city remained infested by jungle. This section became infested with criminals.^[14]

Sometime after the defeat of Lilith, Neyrelle journeyed to Kurast while bearing Mephisto's soulstone. The proximity to his old domain incited Mephisto to increase his mental attacks on Neyrelle and, though she was there for less than a day and had quickly departed the city by ship, Mephisto's hatred had engulfed the citizens and had them killing each other in the streets. Around this time corruption spread through the surrounding region, birthing the Hollows. Kurast—or at its docks, was mostly spared from the corruption because of the Gidbinn. However,it's inhabitants were mostly trapped within, because of the danger beyond the protection.^[15] Lorath Nahr would later arrive in Kurast and helped the people return the city to order.^[16]

The First Khazra of the Dark Citadel began raiding Kurast, abducting its people to bring back to the citadel.^[17]

In-game

Diablo II

Kurast is visited in Act III of Diablo II.

Zones

• Kurast Docks (Main 'town' for the hero(es))
• Lower Kurast
• Kurast Bazaar
• Upper Kurast
• Kurast Causeway

NPCs

• Alkor
• Asheara
• Dark Wanderer
• Deckard Cain
• Hratli
• Meshif
• Natalya
• Ormus

Diablo III

This page contains obsolete content This article contains information that is no longer relevant to gameplay.

Diablo III concept art for Kurast exists.^[18] However, Kurast makes no appearance in the game.

Diablo IV

Kurast features in Diablo IV, as part of the expansion Vessel of Hatred. It is the main hub of the Nahantu region, and is located in its center.

NPCs

• Ormus
• Priestess Cualli

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Known Locations

• Kurast Docks
• Reliquary
• Temple
• The Red Circle

Known Residents

The following is a list of all known residents of Kurast, NPC or otherwise:

13th Century

• Brand
• Cyrus
• Gareth Rau
• Hakan I
• Hratli
• Hyland
• Meshif
• Norwalc (formerly)
• Ormus

14th Century

• Cualli
• Ormus

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Trivia

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• The buildings and religious insignias of Kurast are based on Mayan, Cambodian, and Inca architecture.^[19]

References