Due to the Arnika Road being as hard as it is for characters level 6-15 or so (due to Higardi Brigand and Queen Ants), it makes perfect sense to grind levels and skills in the Monastery. Nobody seems to do this (this forum is inactive, compared to Steam).

My question is, am I doing the right thing, by hanging out until level 21 (when you reach a new threshold in treasure chest spawns, and you can actually handle the level 21 Savant Slashers and level 22 Savant Minion)?

I consider the Monastery a zone free of friendly help (unlike, for example, fighting in Arnika, where you have unwanted help from friendly NPCs). I want to keep all friendly characters alive, as a Lawful Good party, so I avoid fights around them, if possible.

I believe that, by grinding so hard, that I will not only prevent any party deaths, but also any friendly NPC deaths.