*"Be teacher and student."* A Monastery on [[Crescada]], near [[Gavony]], nestled into the foothills of [[The Straken Mountains]]. It was founded by [[Arlinn]] as a school to teach the martial art [[Wolfteaching]], a martial art that had been created by Arlinn's teacher and the school's namesake, [[Kessig]]. Over time, the Kessig's philosophy and martial arts become a topic of rigorous study. On occasion, The Monastery would take in orphans, such as [[Verrisi]]. Most students are not orphans, but are sent by their families to be trained in combat or in a specific academic subject, such as [[Lazhna Whitesmith|Fiska Skeingold]], who was sent to The Monastery to learn [[Wolfteaching]] in preparation for working for [[Skeingold Traders|her family's business]]. Students/residents grow, gather, and raise their own food on the farmland and the surrounding pastures and woods. Monks, nuns, and permanent residents of the monastery are actively involved in the management and stewardship of the forest and foothills, tracking and maintaining populations of local species and keeping the peace when farmers, herders, or hunters encroach on the balance. Monastery Stewards are recognized around [[Gavony]] and [[Vislatre]]. People in the separated mountain area would be passingly familiar with Kessig Monastery, Wolfteaching, and Kessig Monks as goatherds, guards, and foresters. Following [[The Boy Scout Boys Campaign]] the Kessig Monastery grows in size and responsibility with the fame of [[Lazhna Whitesmith]] and [[Verrisi]]. They become a public force for good in the world. # Cuisine The monastery is well known for [[Kessig Cheese]], the style of salted goats cheese made there, and a dish called [[Wolfroast]], which is roast goat with a sauce made from mountain herbs and pine nuts. They also make a sour beer there called [[Arlinn Ale]], but it is very much an acquired taste and is not well known outside the immediate area. ![[Kessig Day]] # Attire Monks and nuns wear clothing based on shepherd's attire, in deep olive green with khaki and cream accents. Ordained monks carry a spear. Acolytes are only allowed a staff. Those of the monastery often wear [[The Insignia of Kessig Monastery]]. # Leadership Monastery leaders are chosen based primarily on mastery of Wolfteaching, but secondarily based on their administration and interpersonal skills. Leadership is not hereditary, though it has become traditional for the current [[Reverend]] to become the next [[Grand Master]] when the position is open. [[Grand Master|Grand Masters]] make executive decisions for the monastery and lead the residents in daily meditation, as well as ceremonies on holidays. They also teach the master-level students and oversee the progress of each year’s ordination candidates (i.e. graduation candidates). [[Reverend|Reverends]] are the logistical and administrative leaders of the monastery, overseeing food production, income from sale of cheese and ale, purchase of materials from outside the monastery, staffing, lodging, and correspondence.