Book excerpt: Known as the City of Monuments for its jaw-dropping skyline of ancient ruins, magnificent towers, and stunning sculptures, Magnimar embodies the spirit of Varisia more than any other great city. Yet with Magnimar's explosive growth over the last century, life in the City of Monuments has become an adventure in and of itself. With strange monsters lurking amid the ancient ruins that form the city's foundation, roving bands of thieves, smugglers, and murderers battling for control over the city's alleys, and the increasingly decadent attitudes of its oldest families, Magnimar lies at a crossroads. Will it succeed despite the obstacles thrown in its path, or is the City of Monuments doomed to crumble under the pressure of its own runaway success? This Pathfinder sourcebook explores the city of Magnimar (first featured in the now classic Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path) in great detail. Each city district has its own unique flavor and role, and comes with pages of details on industries and institutions, leisure and markets, and politics and entertainment. Dozens of shops, taverns, guildhalls, and more await discovery, many of which are presented with additional adventure hooks, memorable NPCs, and inspirational bits of lore. Examinations of regions ripe for adventuring or sinister groups worthy of defeat, along with a robust bestiary featuring commonly encountered NPCs or monsters closely associated with the City of Monuments completes this book, which will be an invaluable addition to your upcoming Shattered Star Adventure Path.