| The Cohai Observatory |
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The Cohai Observatory is a keep that sits at the top of a spire of rock that thrusts up some three or four thousand feet from the western face of the Uraval Mountains . The only land based approach to Cohai is from a narrow pass in the Forest of Brume that leads to an ancient rope bridge spanning the two-hundred foot gap from the mountains to the spire. The Cohai Observatory was carved by hand from the tip of the spire, and is surrounded by a high wall with only one gate in it. Inside the high wall is a bit of a paradox, a lush, almost tropical garden fills the considerable space between the outer wall and the actual keep. The garden is filled with well manicured grass, trees, flowers, and other plant and animal life that is all constantly attended to by the occupants of the observatory. The keep itself is a utilitarian structure, with no luxuries to speak of aside from warm baths that are filled from a hot water mineral spring somewhere far below the observatory. In the distant past, it is said that Cohai was used to keep watch over the forest of Brume and surrounding land so that warning might be sent off if armies were seen moving or massing below, but now it is used as a place of self discovery and meditation where people are welcomed and allowed to stay for as long as they want in the pursuit of self realization. Cohai is loosely governed by the troll Gornin and its doors are open to all who are willing to perform work and chores that keep the observatory running while they continue their studies.