Unlike Firnorm, which was a small village near the snowy mountains, Nightwell was a distinctive city, large enough to house thousands of people.
As with any place in this world, mages were in charge, standing atop the strongest families or organizations that ruled the main areas of the city. However, that also meant that there was plenty of work for the Commoners and Knights here.
Mages could survive on their own, that was true, but they were happy to use someone for minor or light work. Commoners and Knights were perfect for the job, some for cooking and cleaning and some for crafting, blacksmithing, or guarding someone important.
Nightwell had more than enough different taverns, blacksmiths, stores, and more. It was a town one could live their entire life in if they wanted to. There were jobs, connections, and most importantly it was safe.