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"Well, I gave you my word, and brought you here as promised. But by all that's still holy, I wish I'd never returned to this accursed place. This fetid jungle can't be the fair Kurast I left behind. I don't know what all this evil is, my friend, but it's obvious that you must stop it. I only pray that you can before the jungle consumes the last vestiges of my beloved homeland."

- Meshif(src)

Kurast

Kurast

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

Lore[]

"Kurast, which now lies in ruin, just like Corvus and Viz-Jun and Caldeum and Old Tristram and countless other cities whose residents no doubt believed their prosperity would last forever."
Kurast-hut

A hut in Kurast

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 were constructed of stone. Narrow alleys ran through it.[4] The city was broadly divided into two parts—Upper and Lower Kurast. The former was home to large buildings, with a temple and reliquary looming over the city. Lower Kurast was the poorest section of the city, meant for laborers, and was 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[]

"Kurast! A beacon of brightest light shining for the World. A wondrous city of gold and perfumed palaces. Kurast! Your high towers gleam in the bronze light of a sun that will never set on the glory of your rule. Kurast!"

- The excerpt of a poem dedicated to Kurast(src)

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[]

"Welcome to Kurast, traveler. Few come willingly to this ancient city anymore. I hope you brought your wits with you, for sanity is in short supply here."

- Hratli(src)

Kurast Docks

Kurast's docks

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[]

"Welcome to the gates of Hell. Or, as some of us like to call it, Kurast."

- Cyrus(src)

Kurast never recovered from Mephisto's actions. 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.

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, for whatever reason. 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]

In-game[]

Diablo II[]

Kurast is visited in Act III of Diablo II.

Zones[]

NPCs[]

Diablo III[]

Tome This page contains obsolete content
This article contains information that is no longer relevant to gameplay, but is kept here for informational purposes.

Diablo III concept art for Kurast exists.[13] However, Kurast makes no appearance in the game.

Diablo IV[]

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

Known Locations[]

Known Residents[]

"The people there make the people of this fine establishment look like angels."

- Kulloom describing the people of Kurast(src)

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

Trivia[]

WikiLogoSmall
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.[14]

References[]

Cellars
TBA
Dungeons
TBA
Regions
TBA
Towns
Kurast
Travincal
Other
The River Gate
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