Settlement Levels

A settlement's level represents its relative size and economic capacity, as well as roughly corresponding to the maximum level of NPC that can easily be found there-- not counting significant NPCs, of course.

In general, any common items with a level no higher than the settlement's level are available for purchase (though a character of a higher level may be able to seek out or custom order higher-level items, with the right contacts and connections.)

In addition, the settlement's level is used to help determine the maximum possible task level that could become available there to Earn Income. However, all of this is meant as a guideline; your GM may make exceptions at their discretion.

Village (Settlement Level 1)
Town (Settlement Level 2-4)
City (Settlement Level 5-9)
Metropolis (Settlement Level 10+)