I play both of my cities the same amount, nearly exactly down to the logins (I often login even when I don't actually need to, just to check that I haven't forgotten anything, which I usually have), and the 'sticking' on rolls seems to happen with one or the other. My Elven city snagged extra essence time after time after time in various chests, while I lagged behind here, ending up with enough phoenix upgrades for a max and level nine, respectively, along with thirty-seven and twenty-eight Wells. Good haul, and I'm accustomed to the ebb and flow of 'luck'.