Settlement Level determines what items and services you may be able to buy in a settlement, as well as the approximate highest level characters you can expect to find.
Buying: In a given settlement, a character can usually purchase any common item (including formulas, alchemical items, and magic items) that is of the same or lower level than the settlement’s. Usually, fewer of the highest‑level items are available.
Selling: Inhabitants of a settlement can usually purchase items from PCs as long as those items are the same or lower level than the settlement, with limitations on higher‑level items similar to those available for sale.
Services: Spellcasting services are available in many settlements. Barring a powerful spellcasting NPC in the city with whom the party could negotiate for services, a character can find someone to cast common spells up to a level that could be cast by an NPC of the settlement’s level.
Special Orders: If a character’s level is higher than the settlement’s, that character can usually use their own influence and leverage to acquire higher‑level items, as they convince shops to place specialty orders or artisans to craft custom goods, though it might take a bit of time for such orders to be fulfilled.
| Level | Limited Permanent | Limited Consumable | Max Spellcasting Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | None | 1st |
| 2 | 2nd: 2, 1st: 2 | 2nd: 2, 1st: 3 | 1st |
| 3 | 3rd: 2, 2nd: 2 | 3rd: 2, 2nd: 2, 1st: 2 | 2nd |
| 4 | 4th: 2, 3rd: 2 | 4th: 2, 3rd: 2, 2nd: 2 | 2nd |
| 5 | 5th: 2, 4th: 2 | 5th: 2, 4th: 2, 3rd: 2 | 3rd |
| 6 | 6th: 2, 5th: 2 | 6th: 2, 5th: 2, 4th: 2 | 3rd |
| 7 | 7th: 2, 6th: 2 | 7th: 2, 6th: 2, 5th: 2 | 4th |
| 8 | 8th: 2, 7th: 2 | 8th: 2, 7th: 2, 6th: 2 | 4th |
| 9 | 9th: 2, 8th: 2 | 9th: 2, 8th: 2, 7th: 2 | 5th |
| 10 | 10th: 2, 9th: 2 | 10th: 2, 9th: 2, 8th: 2 | 5th |