Island of a small skull

So, I started playing. It's immediately clear that the map isn't "impossible": there are plenty of resources, although, of course, I'd like more gold:), but you can get it by selling "extra" wood, mercury, sulfur, etc.
First question: you can't approach the monolith near Medvedevsk. Is that intentional?
I reached the garrison, looked at the guards: it seems I need another two weeks to gather an army and build up strength... But at the same time, it protects against enemies... for now.