On the old server I was mid way through a little adventure that saw you board a research airship called the Fat Beetle - at the other end the Beetle has crashes in a snowy forest, there is fire everywhere, and you have to make your way to the camp. The idea was at this point there would be some kind of challenge to take you to a 2nd island, where there is then a golden temple (a typical dungeon + monsters)
So hopefully thats some ideas in there for you, and when times permits i'll happily help you out