Vermillion

One could have either Ashcliffe or Vermillion as one could have a sword and no shield, or perhaps just one left boot. Though technically different cities and contained in different geopolitical regions, the twin cities resemble humanoid twins; separated only by scant farmland and insubstantial snow plains, the cities only narrowly avoid colliding, and their layouts may give first-time visitors a sense of deja-vu. Nearly perfect mirror images of each other in layout, Vermillion and Ashcliffe hold each other and the small Night's Pass region strong. The two premier (and oldest) magic institutes dwell in the twin cities: Adaventus Academy claims Vermillion, and Adamantus Academy claims Ashcliffe. The schools are both magic-oriented, but focus on different magical schools and functions. As such, the schools frequently work together and transfer students between them.   Vermillion has the higher population of the two. It is more popular with outsiders, not the least of which because of Adaventus's draw, and has more hotels and hostels to accomodate it's pier and docks, the one thing substantially different about the twin cities. Vermillion prioritizes it's oceanic fishing industry, and farming attempts in the area immediately outside Vermillion are rare; successful ones, even moreso. Sailors from Vermillion are thought, nigh-on mythologized, to be some of the best sailors in the world. The Sea of Dusk is widely considered the most dangerous inland sea. This doesn't appear to dissuade the fishers of Vermillion, though: Of all the noted successful passages of the Dires Strait, the overwhelming majority sailed under Vermillion's flag. If you're looking for passage around the south of Dystelia, a Vermillion sailor is the one you want, and this is a nearly global consensus.   Vermillion, too, has resisted the prying influence of the Xoriats. It provides citizens with a Universal Basic Income and owns its means of production, and has refused the sale of Adaventus to the Xoriats that have inquired. The youth of the twin cities are encouraged into a diverse set of trades and skills in the hopes of maintined self-sufficiency in the face of growing plutocratic overreach. The Xoriat-funded magic insitute in Taunport has been scrabbling to catch up to Adamantus and Adaventus's popularity and renown to little success. This snowy region has been freezing out the Xoriats for years now, and they give no signs of ever stopping.   Adaventus Academy primarily studies in and focuses on Conjuration, Evocation, Dunamancy, Illusion, and Necromancy spells. The Necromancy typically gets less attention as it is considered rather distasteful in common practice. Vermillion has a large population of students from other cities and regions who move to the area to attend, but has a rather miniscule dragon-touched and -blooded population overall.