The Azure Horizon is the flagship of the Azure League. It combines features of a carrier with a research lab, conference center, and cruise liner. The Horizon was designed and constructed collaboratively by many within the Azure League. The initial concept and plans originated in the Azure Conclave, with this group retaining a guiding hand throughout the project. Design and construction was sustained completely through donated material, expertise, labor, or funds from Azurites.
The design incorporates technology gained from The Azure Wind, a captured platform, and several experimental blue technologies. Although details are incomplete, unobtanium and/or skystone are reputed to be used in the structure. Much of the ship's power is known to come from solar technology extracted from the Azure League's captured platform. This enables the craft to fly for extremely long durations before requiring landings. The ability to take on supplies in flight effectively makes the Azure Horizon's range infinite, although this is unlikely in practice.
Airplanes are both launched and recovered from the two pontoons. Hangars use an automated ceiling conveyance system to lower planes into the breezeways, where they are then launched into the wind. The doors of the pontoons remain closed during regular flight, but open for launches and recovery. Most planes can land aboard the Azure Horizon, although the larger ones like the Kingfisher or Halifax are unable to come aboard. To dock with an airship, the craft match speed and maneuvers for the length of the docking.
Features
Carrier capability
3 hangar decks for personal craft, with automated ceiling conveyance system
2 pontoon landing breezeways, with outward opening doors
2 launch catapults/arresting gear system
24 fighters of the Phantom Fleet, stored ready for launch in underwing hold
Science
Skytopian Central Library of Learning
Technical Library
2 writing rooms
4 large laboratories
24 modular laboratories
6 workshops/machine shops
2 wind tunnels
Vibration compensated observatory
162 work/sleep units
Conferences
Small theater (performing arts, cinema, presentations)
Private dining rooms convert to auditoriums/conference rooms
Numerous private meeting rooms
Comfort
358 Sleeping rooms
162 double staterooms or work/sleep areas
36 staterooms
Veranda Café (seats 180)
Main dining room (seats 600) converts to dance floor/ballroom
4 auxiliary public dining rooms
Main private dining room (seats 90)
4 auxiliary private dinning rooms (seats 40)
6 kitchens
Grand Promenade Deck
Grand Bazaar
- 4 bars
- Hairdresser salon
- Barbershop
- Various merchants
- More hat makers and haberdashers than you can count
Grimby pitch
Misc
4 flak canons for point defense
1 dentist and office
2 doctors and offices
Desalinization system
Mooring mast for dirigibles