A dimension-skipping adventure for the Sunday Service crew's annual D&D adventure.
The adventure begins with the party at the tavern that serves as our usual starting point. It being a holiday evening, the adventurers are left largely to themselves with only the barkeep tending to the group. The fire is dwindling from the neglect and the usual festive atmosphere is thoroughly lacking.
After allowing the adventurers a few minutes to engage in activity to reacquaint themselves with the setting, the action begins.
The tavern door swings open with a solid push, smacking an errant barstool with some audible force. Through the dark entry, you can hear a strange syncopated pattern of a metallic clink followed by the light thud of heavy boot. Emerging from the portal is a short, bearded man wearing a fine matching jacket and stove pipe hat. His pants and boots are the heavy sort that betray recent ocean going travel. A sparkling, diamond encrusted chain dangles from his jacket's right waistpocket, presumably connected to a pocket watch. As he pauses in front of the party, he rests his calloused hands on the hilt of his steel capped walking cane.
"Good evening travellers," he speaks with the low, authoritative tone of a ship's captain. "I understand you lot are the type in search for adventure."
The barkeep, wide eyed, drops the mug he was rinsing.
The man does not turn in reaction - his face stone and his piercing, analytical eyes fixed on the party.
The barkeep slinks away without a word to the kitchen.
- Who are you?
- "Farnsworth Tulley. I am a merchant mariner and I have a ship that is encountering some unwelcome attention."
- Why are you here?
- "For you, of course. Why else would anyone be in this tavern on this night save to offer work to journeymen like yourselves?"
- What is the job?
- Farnsworth closes the door Of my many ships, there is one for which I have a profound affection. It is the first ship I ever saw as a young man and, unfortunately, the routes it sails are encountering some rough going. I would like you to return it to me safely.
- Where are you from?
- In my business, I am rarely in any port for long. My fleet is large and my crews need constant attention. You could say that if you look up, I will be sailing somewhere.
- Who is attacking your ship?
- You could say this ship travels on the final frontier. The constellation of threats it encounters are many. I am led to believe you are an... enterprising lot accustomed to strange new worlds.
- Where do we go?
- I am happy to show you. Farnsworth points his cane at the tavern door Once we step out that door, we will boldly go where no on has gone before.
Once the party sufficiently interrogates the man's proposal, Farnsworth will invite them to exit the tavern first. When the party opens the door:
Once the door is open, it seems the nightfall is more pitch than they remember. No light can be perceived in the inky blackness beyond the door. A creeping cold spreads throughout the tavern with a fine mist spreading along the floor, ankle high. It is not clear what is beyond.
Once they decide to proceed, Farnsworth calls out behind them:
"Right behind you. Don't wait on me."
In an instant like the snap of a finger, the party finds themselves standing in a wide room with a long bar. Everyone's clothes have changed into tight fitting black pants with black shoes and solid color long sleeve shirts of red, blue and yellow.
You feel like something dramtic has changed.
We'll then swap chairs and I'll plug in my laptop.