A Glimpse of Future: Last Continent Part Eleven
Respectful name aside, the Wandering Prayer Dominion contains one of the earthier attractions on Shangri-La—the Glorious Dreams resort. Administered by Anthony Bourdain, the dominion maintains a natural feel by carefully controlling every aspect of the landscape, from winding roads built to look as if they were hand laid to wood and slate towns inhabited by well-trained mortal villagers. Of course, gates of auspicious passage are available for wanderers, skyhooks have been built in the major cities, automatons and traveling pagodas can be summoned to provide relaxing offerings of food and shelter, and all roads, one way or another, lead to the Glorious Dreams. Anthony Bourdain ensures a rural experience with all the modern comforts Valhalla can provide.
The Glorious Dreams resort is the major draw for Imperial Nobles and others who enjoy the heady risks of gambling, the thrill of competition, the breathless delight of flight and a fine display of wealth and power. Gambling houses, bathhouses, whorehouses, and other such places are thick on the ground along the coast, ranging in luxury from tourist traps suitable for the common masses to the middle-brow entertainments of the Officials to exclusive luxury resorts reserved for Primarchs use. Many of the more expensive resorts include suites that hover on pillars of Anti-Gravity Platform and are accessible only by air. One of the draws to the area is the schedule of spectacular seasonal storms, where waves rise 100 or more feet into the air and lightning dances across the offshore rocks. The local sky mantis grid has been modified along the entire coastal resort to add variety to the weather and challenge to the races.
All of the delights that have accrued over the decades here are due to the presence of the Glorious Dreams skyway and the efforts of Anthony Bourdain. He has been making sure that the people of his Dominion strive to better themselves by proving their worth in aerial races held here regularly. He planned and schemed and constructed the raceway to showcase the beauty and usefulness of the newly created the Glorious Dreams Skyway decades ago.
The Glorious Dreams skyway is suspended, on average 300 feet above the ground. Floating lanterns and decorative thaumaturgical illusions illuminate the various tracks, ranging from the simple and short River of Evening Light sightseeing track to the dangerous, high-speed Shards of Brilliance raceway that ranges from the rough inland air streams above the surf line to the chill inland heights. Suspended spires and cirrus sculptures are placed around the various tracks to maintain air currents and provide safety buffers for racers. Some of the suspended sculptures are also expensive observation boxes where viewers can observe the various contests taking place along the skyway.
Cloud trapezes, skyskiffs, sky chariots, and Essence gliders are all available for rent at the Glorious Dreams resort, and the aerial tracks available allow visitors a chance to take slow and gentle viewing tours of various natural wonders or to compete against each other in heart-pounding races. When the season of Racing arrives, however, the Glorious Dreams tracks are cleared of day visitors and tourist boats, while below, the hotels and lodges fill with the wealthy and elite of the island in preparation for glorious races.
The month of May is dedicated to the planning and restructuring of the Glorious Dreams skyway into a complicated and dangerous course that begins at the Glorious Clouds manse, where Governor opens the racing season with a huge celebration. The Raceway then stretches out in obstacle-ridden low-flight zones across the shore and out to sea before rising steeply into the high altitudes where clouds, rain squalls, and tricky air currents add their own dangers to the course the floating lanterns illuminate. Hundreds of racers arrive, along with their patrons, to compete in increasingly challenging races for the glory of their Patrons and the honor. Competition is fierce and is not restricted to the racecourse. Minders try to control the racers under their charge so that everyone is fit to participate in the competition the paying customers have come to see.
By the month of July, the amateurs have been weeded out of the grand competition, and only the most experienced, strongest and swiftest Racers remain. Now, the true races begin, and the entirety of the Glorious Dreams causeway is opened up into a 10-mile-long course, complete with physical and Essence-based obstacles that must be overcome if the athlete wants to be immortalized in story, gossip, and bloodlines.
Vast sums of money, votes, political influence and other favors, are won, lost and traded based on the outcome of the aerial competition. The final race is held in the middle of July, and there can be only one winner. The last half of the season always sees overwhelmingly lavish parties where hosts compete fiercely to outdo each other with extravagant displays of wealth, power and gaudy political might.