Note; I don't normally share my influences for each particular article but I really think that these influences are particularly important for the vibe of this article I was shooting for. I was heavily inspired by some of my favourite pieces of media for this article. These include Speed Racer (2008), Wacky Races (1968), and Daft Punk's Discovery (2001) album, specifically the incredible series of music videos they released for each song.
Origins and Expansion
The Interstellar Rythm and Rally Carnival Station is the preeminent location for anyone looking to escape the harsh realities of the Delta Space and revel in the absurdity and fun of various events and activities offered on the station. The carnival began its life two decades ago, as an earth-bound festival on the planet of Wulfwud, a planet in the Federated Territories of Vash.
The carnival enjoyed much success in these early years, but it was limited in scope and ran only once a year for a few weeks. Though it still had smaller versions of most of the staples in which it now runs all year round on the station. The carnival would hold several concerts and would have numerous sporting events and leisure options available for festivalgoers to enjoy. Including, the annual Wulfwud Harmony Ground Prix, a terrestrial-bound rally race that ran once a year that circled the festival several times before culminating.
However, after many years of success, the owner and operator of the carnival grew tired and sold the carnival to a MegaCorporation called Entertain Co. A larger entertainment and media corporation that operates amongst the central regions of the Delta Space. Entertain Co. decided that bigger was better and began to draft plans to expand the festival, and between seasons they announced their expansion plans.
A massive space station, to be christened The Interstellar Rythm and Rally Carnival Station. It would hold all the original events from the original Wulfwud carnival and countless more, and even better it would run year-round. This new iteration of the carnival would still hold special events a few times a year as special offerings, including the flagship and newly improved annual racing competition, now called The Star Harmony Grand Prix.
The station was built and launched within two years of the initial announcement with the festival going on hiatus for that time, partly in order to redirect funds and mostly to gather interest and desire for the new version of the carnival. The station would be launched and opened on the anniversary of the original festival and would orbit Wulfwud for the next year.
The station, however, does not intend on staying in orbit of Wulfwud for long and has announced that the station will move locations every year. Entertain Co. released a coincidening press release to countless planets stating that each year bidding would be conducted in order to determine who would win the right to host the next year's carnival location. So far the bidding for next year's location is undecided, but the fighting is fierce as the economic boon from the carnival could be significant for the system in which it resides.
Electro Stardust, specializing in electronic funkwave, during one of their sets.
Events, Activities, and Accomadations
The Interstellar Rhythm and Rally Carnival Station holds countless events year-round developed to delight the masses of visitors it receives at any given time of year. The station, holds many one-off or limited time events throughout the year as well. This ranges to a variety of live music events, several miniature racing domes designed for casual racing for adults, sporting activities and events for all ages, and a variety of leisure ammenties are available as well.
The carnival station, while a festival in name, is really more like a luxury amusement park designed to keep people there as long as possible so that they spend their time and money there and in whatever system or planet in which the station is orbiting at the time. Potentially helping not only Entertain Co.' bottom line but the surrounding economy's as well.
Some highlights of this past years events are as follows;
Music
Dozens of concerts are played on the station every week; including regular shows played by a variety of popular bands and artists. The shows range in venue from large arena style stages, to small intimate stages in bars or restaurants.
Including regular performances by Electro Stardust, an
electronic funkwave band, and the occasional set by the Starbound Country Western Singer
Anatoal Silverhawk. Live music is almost always playing somewhere on the station.
Racing
Racing is a key theme of the festival year-round, many casual racing tournaments are held here each month for licensed drivers. This is alongside the numerous professional racing tournaments held here as well, including the popular annual Star Harmony Grand Prix.
Many automotive vendors also set up shop on the station as pops up or as permanent installations. the station is a haven for ship and racing enthusiasts and has a great selection of on-market and after market parts.
Sports
There are several sports facilities on the station where groups, families, and individuals can play casually or in leagues. These facilities are fully equipped with whatever gear you would need to play, though the price of rental is not included in the station's entry ticket.
Many types of sport is available to play on the station including the popular
Cuke Ball. Where two teams of twelve, on a small court, attempt to wack a curved rod against a wall while trying not to run into each other.
Leisure
The station is fully equipped with several hotels ranging in price point including up to high-end luxury hotels. The station also has several spas, and even a water park.
The most popular and luxurious of hotels is the Starlight Palace Suites, which boast beautiful and exciting views depending on the visitors preference. Rooms can include views of the nearby planet, or views of the raceway which frequently see cars blur by.
The Star Harmony Grand Prix in action
The Star Harmony Grand Prix
In its early days, before it became The Star Harmony Grand Prix, the Wulfwud Harmony Grand Prix was a rally race that was held each year near the festival grounds and would circle about the arid sand-covered hills and dunes in a challenging rally course that would test experienced drivers reflexes and patience.
The Star Harmony Grand Prix is on a whole different level.
Held both aboard and around the Interstellar Rythm and Rally Carnival Station, the race begins in the Grand Central Racing Dome atop of the station, where all the fans are seated around the race track in massive bleachers. Huge television screens dot the arena so that fans can watch the race the entire stretch unabated.
The track begins in the dome but quickly exits into a series of twisting and spiralling tubes that enter into and out of various challenge rooms where the racers face numerous dangers and obstacles.
This past year's race included half a dozen smaller domed challenge rooms that included a harrowing cliffside course, an arid dessert course with steep inclines reminiscent of the original Wulfwud course, and even a zero-gravity bubble where racers had to ricochet themselves between miniature gravity wells.
Once the challenge rooms have been conquered the race re-enters the Grand Central Racing Dome and enters into a slaloming track that weaves back and forth, with some parts of the track sharply inclining near vertically. The race ends at a one-kilometre top-speed straight away sprint.
Each year, the intention is to redesign the track to offer new and unexpected challenges, promising an exciting albeit dangerous challenge for racers and a nail-biting but glorious watching experience for the audience.
The winner of the new Star Harmony Grand Prix is awarded with the Star Cup, a large grand prize sum, and an endorsement from Entertain Co. for next years Grand Prix if they wish to participate once more, ensuring the driver additional race funds for things like parts and services.
Firece competition is expected for next year's race, and hundreds of racers jockey for sponsorships and enough ranking to earn themselves a spot in Grand Prix. Tickets for the Grand Prix have already sold out months in advance, prices for aftersale tickets are staggering.
A portrait of Dash Falcon, the winner of the inaugural Star Harmony Grand Prix last year. This coming year, he will once again race starting at the number one position. He is sponsored by Entertain Co.
Falcon is known for his aggressive driving style, he is not below driving people off the road and dealing in underhanded tactics. His personality follows suit, he is aggressive, vain, and ego-driven.
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