Is there like...a Rondell of the Surface? Is there a city that's generally regarded as crappier than the others? Is there an opposite--one that's regarded as better/safer/etc?
Not quite so... centralized as Rondell. Mevined might be the closest comparison in terms of a city with secrets and lots of things going on, but Mevined’s dangers are a lot more classy?? Mevined’s a city of intrigue and politics while Rondell is crimelords and gangs.
Quite a few of the larger cities have seedier underbelly parts, but Rondell is certainly unique in the extent of its crime and corruption. Being isolated up there and gaining a reputation for bad things has kind of made the whole island fester over.
Rakvin would probably try to boast that they’re one of the safest cities, because they have a very heavy guard presence which keeps crime low, but they also tend to be a little bit on the authoritarian side, in a “you are safe from the State if you cooperate with the State” sort of way.
Damerra tends to be well regarded by people, but it’s also a very chaotic sort of sprawl that might not exactly be completely safe but is at least interesting.