In The Hungry Storm the party and its caravan are supposed to leave the Path of Aganhei at the village of Iqaliat and head directly north onto the ice cap. Iqaliat is described as, "The village of Iqaliat is built into the overhanging cliffs of Alasek Ridge, at the southern edge of the polar plateau known as the High Ice."
How does the caravan get up the cliff?
The map of Iqaliat has two passages burrowed through the stone to the clifftop: the public one and the secret one. Both seem too small for a wagon. Did I overlook another route?
I could add another route, such as a dangerous switchback road up the cliffside east of the village. However, my players are clever and resourceful. If I do nothing, they will find a way. That would be amusing.
But that way might be through the morozko storm that blocks the Path of Aganhei.
Which leads to another question: what happens when a caravan enters or is caught by a morozko storm? I cannot find a description, despite the module being named after these hungry storms. Are they quickly deadly like a tornado, or is it like being trapped in a blizzard while taking cold damage? The module does describe blizzards on the random encounter pages.
It is very likely that there is a pulley system designed for hauling large cargo up to the top of the High Ice. Also, magic.
It is very likely that there is a pulley system designed for hauling large cargo up to the top of the High Ice. Also, magic.
Ah, I had added such a pulley system to the main entrance of Ravenscraeg in the previous module, because the narrow stairway was designed for defense rather than carrying in large loads.
I don't see the Iqaliat villagers having a pulley system in place yet, because they don't appear interested in the High Ice. But the party members and the caravan's wainwright could build one. And since the wainwright is an NPC, I could have her suggest it to the party.
This is much better than adding a switchback road.
As for magic, only Tunuak among the villagers has major magic, and he is the villain. I will check over the items in his secret lair to see if I can add something useful. The party has plenty of magic, such as the intelligent katana Suishen able to cast air walk three times a day, but magic that is strong for one person becomes less impressive when it has to handle twelve loaded wagons, twelve large aurochs, and twenty-four people.
Unless it's a Communal spell.
...How does the caravan get up the cliff?...
OK, so I'm not the only one that wondered how this should be possible. I went up with the idea to let the rest of the caravan search for an alternative route meanwhile the PCs were up to the north chasing Vegsundvaag. Ulf, Sandru and Shalelu came up with a treacherous way of getting the wagons up the cliff needings some extra Security checks.