Magnimar Major NPCs
Built in the shadow of megaliths, Magnimar
endlessly endeavors to surpass the overwhelming
scale and grandeur of the ancient wonders that
litter the Varisian landscape. A place of great opportunity,
social stress, and cold beauty, the city exudes the air of
a southern metropolis, seeking to rise above its ignoble
beginnings as a refuge for Korvosan outcasts to become
a beacon of culture and freedom in an unforgiving
land. Yet its towering monuments, elegant gardens,
ostentatious architecture, and elaborate sculptures form
but a cracked mask over a struggling government and a
desperate people in need of heroes.
Magnimar’s founders were adventurers, and the spirit
of the adventurer and explorer keeps the heart and soul
of Magnimar alive. It should thus come as no surprise
that the monuments the city is so well known for often
have ties to adventuring themes. In addition, many of
the major works have been magically empowered over
the years. The source of these enhancements are hotly
debated—some assume they were created by now-dead or
anonymous spellcasters as a gift to the city, while others
suspect these magical effects instead represent a legacy of
ancient Thassilonian wizardry lingering in the region’s
stones. In truth, these effects are manifestations of the
mysterious patrons of the Seacleft region, the ancient
empyreal lords so beloved and venerated over the past
several thousand years by Varisia’s native people. These
lords have welcomed the land’s newest settlers, though
their welcome is subtle.
With many of the monuments, boons are granted to
those who perform minor acts of worship and respect to
Magnimar, its monuments, and the empyreal lords who
watch over the city. Any nonevil intelligent creature who
performs a specific act before one of these magically
charged monuments and makes a successful skill check
awakens the monument’s magic, and, in return, gains a
small bonus of some sort with a duration of 24 hours. A
single person can never have more than one monumentgranted
bonus in effect at any one time; attempts to gain a
second bonus before the first wears off automatically fail.
In addition, a person can only attempt to benefit from a
monument bonus a number of times per week equal to
her Charisma modifier (minimum of once per week)—the
city of Magnimar responds most often to those who carry
themselves with greater poise and personality, after all.
Magnimar boasts a population of over 16,000
inhabitants, with the great majority of those being
humans. In turn, most of these humans are ethnic
Chelaxians and Varisians, and while Shoanti and Sczarni
maintain a large presence in the city, they are essentially
marginalized and considered troublemakers. Half lings
make up the next largest demographic, followed by elves
and dwarves. The remainder of the population consists of
gnomes and half-breed races.
The city is split in two by a massive cliff face, separating
the city into two major districts. The one atop the cliff
is called the Summit and the one below that meets
with Varisian Gulf is called the Shore. The slums of
Magnimar, known as the Shadow since that district sees
little sun during the day, lies below the Irespan, a colossal
and ancient bridge ruined ages ago. In terms of the trade
and purchase of magic items, Magnimar has a base value
of 12,800 and a purchase limit of 75,000 gp.
Heidmarch Manor, a Pathfinder Lodge and home base for
characters in this Adventure Path, is found in the Alabaster
District located in the Summit. Other districts throughout
the city offer locations that may interest adventurers. The
Bazaar of Sails, easily the largest free market in Varisia
where all manner of goods can be found, is located in
Dockway as well as in Old Fang, a popular watering hole.
Temples to various deities can be found in the City of
Monuments. The Dome of the Savored Sting, a temple of
Calistria, is found in the Keystone District; this district
is also home to the Church of Pharasma, which tends to
the city’s dead and newborns. Deadeye Lodge, a church of
Erastil, can also be found here, as can the Cynosure Tower,
a church dedicated to Desna. Up on the Summit in the Naos
District lies the Church of Iomedae, and just a few blocks
away stands the Cathedral of Abadar. While in the Keystone
District, those studying arcane magic might want to visit
the Stone of the Seers, a school that focuses on educating
casters in abjuration and divination magic.
On the edge of the cliff overlooking the Varisian
Gulf, many seek entertainment at Serpent’s Run, a huge
hippodrome that features all manner of exciting events
from decathlons, horse and dog races, displays of magic,
circus performances, and mock-gladiatorial battles. Just
across the Capital District in the district of Naos rises
Magnimar’s tallest structure, the Arvensoar, home to
Magnimar’s military forces.
On the opposite banks of the Yondabakari River lies
Ordellia, known also as the Foreign Quarter. Those
seeking potions and other alchemical products often
search out Billivin’s Benevolent Balms and Effulgent
Elixirs, though some doubt the reliability of his wares.
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