Microscopic models of realistic thermodynamic systems usually involve a number of parameters, not all of equal macroscopic relevance. We examine a decorated (1+3) Ising spin chain containing two microscopic parameters: a stiff parameter K mediating the long-range interactions, and a sloppy J operating within local spin groups. We show that K dominates the macroscopic behavior, with varying J having only a weak effect, except in regions where J brings about transitions between phases through its conditioning of the local spin groups with which K interacts. We calculate the heat capacity C(H), the magnetic susceptibility χ(T), and the thermodynamic curvature R. For large |J/K|, we identify four magnetic phases: ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and two ferrimagnetic, according to the signs of K and J. We argue that for characterizing these phases, the strongest picture is offered by the thermodynamic geometric invariant R, proportional to the correlation length ξ. This picture has correspondences to other cases, such as fluids.