Though monastic life is simple and unpretentious unhindered and uninterrupted solitude is provided for all who stay there. Artisans (of any discipline) and wizards find that rare materials are provided on request.
No warrior has been unchallenged by the training schedule and sparring partners provided. It should be noted that only once have either the monks or the resident warriors not provided sufficient challenge for a guest at which time Tagoni-Soki provided the required challenge at the request of Hu-Su.
Sapori runs the rare material business for guests of the monastery. A desire not to waste items with limited shelf life have led to a business of supplying those who are willing to pay for such items. Sapori does business with a select few alchemy shops since this avoids many problems. When an item involving a high degree of risk is involved Hu-Su usually procures them.
It should be noted that the exorbitant fees for staying at the monastery need not be paid in gems or gold but can also take the form of rare materials, magic or exceptional art. All arrangements are worked out with Sapori in advance.
Besides running the business, Sapori prepares many of the items himself. He also maintains an inventory list which is updated regularly and sent overseas to the main monastery. Another list is made and sent to a select few alchemy shops. Rarely does this list fall into the wrong hands but when it does it seems to spark undue interest in the monastery.
The monks run day to day operations at the monastery. Tagoni-Soki and his
soldiers mercilessly enforces the decisions made by the monks should any of the
guests violate the monastery rules. In times of trouble
or should the monastery be threatened, Tagoni-Soki assumes command of the
monastery.
The monastery sits upon a 1,000 foot high plateau the perimeter of which is enclosed by a massive stone wall. The defenses include a number of catapult and ballista emplacements which are required for defense against trolls, giants and dragons.
A serpentine trail carved into the rock is the only real way to the monastery as footing anywhere else is treacherous at best. All who approach the monastery up this serpentine trail will be easy targets for the multitude of ballista and catapults mounted on the monastery wall.
Though a handful of defenders would have little trouble defending this fortification from a sizeable army, it's location ensures that only those with a true desire (and invitation) come calling.
It is difficult to get to by land and flying to it is harder since the winding mountains form no apparent pattern upon which airborne creatures can orient themselves. Also, certain aerial creatures discourage flight. There is no real trail since the mountains are mostly hard granite though one can find a road at the base of the mountain upon which the monastery is built
The leader of the giants is Groldingikkm, a cruel and vicious giant with a magical axe and armor. The leader of the trolls is a large two-headed troll who has an arm band that protects him from fire. His name is Gakrand.
In addition to the Giants and Trolls there lives an Ancient Dragon high in the mountains. He tolerates the situation because the stalemate between the giants and trolls makes it near impossible for anything else to reach his lair.
In addition to the physical defenses, the monastery has accumulated magical defenses and wards over the years.