Often referred to as the star of the north, Elsir Vale sits atop an archway of stone and granite along the northern coast of Heatherstead. This port city is the penultimate center of worship in all the world, and virtually every established religion in Eluaria lays some claim to the city and the surrounding lands as part of their history. The city is divided into districts based on the major religions worshipped here, and the streets are lined with temples and monasteries and the businesses that cater to them and their worshippers. While under the dwarven rule of Heatherstead, to whom the city does pay taxes, the city itself is run by whichever religion currently has the greatest number of devotees with voting rights. While today this is a cardinal from the Ostian Beacon of the Light in Cretaine, it could change in any given year's voting - or when riots of those without voting rights brings about the change.
The city of Elsir Vale is contested land beyond even the divisions set between religious sects. The city continues to pay taxes to the dwarves of Heatherstead, but the Ostian King in Cretaine claims the lands surrounding the city as well. This has led to much bickering and several wars, but there has been relative peace for many years now. There is a large mix of races in and around the city, with many humans, elves, and dwarves in the mix, but locals seem to have found ways to get along - so long as they don't discuss religion!
Port Beacon
If you want to find something look to Beacon, which serves as both wharf and marketplace in one massive district at the heart of the city. Boasting a series of markets and bazaars in the north, almost anything can be found in here if you have the coin to afford it. Beacon gets is name from the massive beacon tower that overlooks the harbor. It was once claimed that the Beacon's flame, called the Sky Pillar, could be seen as a star in the sky no matter how far away you were by sea.
The Sky Pillar
An eternal flame that burns in the Beacon Tower, the Sky Pillar is a religious artifact of the Open Wish and the Beacon of the Light, who regularly fight over control and rights to the tower. The flame burns white-hot and has never gone out. The origin of the flame varies based on the religion refering to it; The monks of the Open Wish believe the flame came into being after their savior begged it from the One-Eyed Goddess, while the Beacon of the Light claims it is the fire sent from God Himself to burn away vice and corruption. Witches found to be working against either church are traditionally brought to the tower and cast into the flame.
Life's Light Shrine
An ancient shrine built around a square body of water, dedicated to various gods of healing and vitality. Worshippers bring offerings for the right to make prayers here and bathe in some of the baths that are fed from the water, which is claimed to bring special healing where other forms of healing have failed. No one church has control of the shrine, but several lay claim to its origins, so the religions must work in unison to ensure that each gets equal rights to the shrine and the baths.
Brinewater Inn
One of the more respectable inns in Elsir Vale, sometimes filled with men and women of the cloth, along with the weary traveler or those on pilgrimage to one of the various religious sects or monuments. Hot food, quality drink, and warm, clean beds can be had here, which is more than many other establishments in Elsir Vale can offer.
Church of the Open Wish
This church is served by an order of monks who shave their heads and beards but once a year, and true devotees are said to be hairless the entire year thanks to the favor of their god. The Open Wish is a major religion in Elsir Vale, and have maintained control of the city more than once in the past. They are unforgiving of sins, however, as opposed to the more forgiving nature to be found in many other religions, so they struggle to maintain any but the most zealous adherents. The grounds of the church itself are off-limits to any but worshippers who have shaved both scalp and face, and if it has grown in since that shave, the worshipper is advised to return when their belief is stronger.