Tour of the Sands

Overview

The Tour of the Sands is a grand and prestigious competition that challenges contestants to travel across the Oniruuru Desert as fast as possible. This long and dangerous event usually takes a month or more to complete.
Not every contestant survives the dangers of the deserts. Just crossing the finishing line is seen as a feat of athletics worthy of celebration.

Two Leagues

There are two distinct leagues of contestants: Mount Māsṭar, and Yacht Māsṭar:
Mount Māsṭar is by far the largest league in the Tour, with many tribes and families grooming a mount and rider specifically to take part in the tour.
Yacht Māsṭar is the more prestigious league of the two, and it is mostly known to be the league of nobles. The faster Land Sail Yacht produce the overall winner most of the time, and so is usually the one given the most attention.
It is not unprecedented for a mount to become the overall winner of the Tour. Only two have ever accomplished the feat.

The Caravan

Because of the length and scale of the Tour, a large caravan of is assembled for two purposes: as a staging ground for competitor support, and as a place for audiences to engage in festivities. The caravan acts as a mobile spectating stand, complete with telescopes, and festivities center.
It should be said that participation in the Tour, even as a spectator, is an expensive venture. Many who wish to enjoy the festivities of the traveling caravan need to set aside a dedicated fund. Often these funds are not enough to enjoy everything the caravan offers.
Most people will tag along with the caravan until they run out of the coin they brought, unless they win big in one of the caravan's games. These games include dart throwing, building sand castles, cards, and kite flying.

Primary Related Location

Oniruuru Desert

Note(s) from the Archivists:

This right here is why I want to visit the Oniruuru one day. - Archivist Edward
Last time you went to a festival you spent your entire guild allowance. - Archivist Taenya
But I won a plush dragon! A. Plush. Dragon! - Archivist Edward