Tanamere Proudstar

Lady Tanamere Proudstar was the ruler of Molik from 920 till 937 AA. She was the 5th Proudstar to be ruler of Molik. Lady Tanamere was mostly known for killing the Green Dragon Silkwing the Toxic, freeing the hills of its tyranny.  

Fighting Silkwing

During early Bloom of 937 Silkwing demanded tribute, earlier than normal. The people gave what they could still afford, which wasn't much given that the last Rest was exceptionally cold. Silkwing was unimpressed and started attacking anyone about a days travel from Molik, just far enough that he knew they wouldn't be able to get help from the city. Lady Tanamere Proudstar, the then ruler of Molik decided that enough was enough. She sent out a call to the five families to help end the tyranny of the dragon. Silkwing got wind of this call and challenged Lady Tanamere to a fight. Lady Tanamere with her army left for the hills where Silkwing said they would settle the score. As Lady Tanamere expected, Silkwing had brought his own army. The Lady called out to Silkwing that each should choose 5 champions and leave the servants alone. She convinced him with the famous words "After all, there should be servants left to be ruled by whoever wins.".
Silkwing brought five draconians. Evil creatures bred from magically infused kobold eggs. These beings had been serving as the lieutenants of Silkwings dominion. Lady Tanamere brought 5 people specifically chosen for their unique skills: Ben Welgebekt the Human bard who used his words to channel magics. Francia Klain, the Dwarven champion of the people whose skill with the warhammer was unbested. Melvin Shadowcollar, the Gnome mage known for his unorthodox but effective practices. Tamara Jeffreys, the stubborn Human cleric devoted to the old faith of Timurantia. And finally Peter Pinewood, the trusted squire of Lady Tanamere.
Lady Tanamere and her champions swiftly dealt with the Draconians and then focussed their full attention on Silkwing. Ben attempted to use his influential words to provoke Silkwing to land. It succeeded but Ben was crushed by the weight of Silkwing landing on top of him. Enraged by the loss of a companion Francia charged Silkwing but was ultimately smacked aside by its mighty tail. The final four quickly devised a plan. Melvin raised the fallen Draconians to turn on Silkwing. Tamara slung bolts of holy light at the dragon trying to blind it from the movement of Tanamere and Peter. The frustrated Silkwing was no longer playing around and engulved Tamara in a poisonous gas that proved fatal. The plan did work, Tanamere and Peter had flanked the dragon and climbed on top. Silkwing, like scratching an itch, swept Peter off, its claws penetrating the squires armor, killing him on the spot. Silkwing was about to unleash another wave of poisonous gas onto Melvin but right as he was about to exhale Tanamere, who had mounted the head of the dragon, drove her longsword into its skull, right through the soft spot behind its ear, through the brainstem. Unfortunately the pressure of the toxic breath had already built up and now seeking the path of least resistance bursted out of the wound Tanamere had made. Lady Tanamere was engulfed in an explosive wave of toxic gas. She was flung off the dying dragon and hit the ground with a force that the nearby soldiers swore they felt. Melvin rushed to Lady Tanamere to aid in whatever way he could but it was to no avail. Lady Tanamere spoke her dying words, a wish to be buried in these hills with all the champions and the dragon they had slain.  

Burial

Melvin Shadowcollar saw to it that all champions received a well deserved final resting place. He even convinced Lord Hewore Klain, father of Francia to allow her to be buried with her allies rather than with her kin. The Dwarves of the Furhills joined the funeral rites to ensure Francia would pass on as a true Dwarven champion. It was a memorable ceremony, one that honored the faiths of all champions, including the old faith that Tamara stubbornly held on to.  

At long last reunited

On the 15th of Decay 1013 AA Melvin Shadowcollar died peacefully. In accordance with his last wishes he was to be buried with the other champions. Melvin didn't have much family so it was a small ceremony. The Proudstars saw to it that he was given the burial of a true champion. Lester, the brother of Melvin sealed the tomb with the words "As the sun sets on your life, may the light you brought be forever carried on.". He then added something in Gnomish but nobody who spoke Gnomish was within earshot and he refused to elaborate saying "It was something we agreed upon when one of us died. Please respect our bond as brothers and inquire no further.". Those who knew Melvin and Lester said it was likely some stupid inside joke of theirs.  

Memories live on

After Melvin had joined his former companions in their eternal tomb, the nobles swore to remember the heroics with an annual 2 day celebration. Before the celebrations there is a journey attended by the nobles and all who wish to properly pay their respects. They travel the Northern Road towards the burial place. Then, when all have arrived, there is a formal start with a sober procession from the Northern Road to the tomb. Together all who attend sing a song, which was specifically commissioned from the granddaughter of Ben. After the song the people set up camp near the burial place and plant 5 torches on the mound. The torches are to be kept alit until a great bonfire has been assembled. Then all 5 torches are gathered to light the bonfire. It is customary that all who attend stay silent during the lighting and for the entire time the bonfire burns. The next morning all head back to the city where the people have prepared a feast.
The burial site was situated on a large field about an hour East from the Northern Road.  

Gone to Legend

When the Ovesten family took over rule of Molik they got rid of the annual celebration. The first year they took over rule of Molik they came up with an excuse. Some of the other nobility in the city took the initiative to still organize the journey and hold the procession. However, due to ongoing political turmoil and safety concerns about travel north they were forced to change the ritual destination to a similar field containing a similar singular hill to hold the ceremony. This initiative was kept up for several years. But without the moral and financial support of the ruling nobles the ceremony and the celebrations started to lose the interest of the people until the celebrations were completely abolished. By then the true location of the burial site was forgotten. The Ovestens did their best to make the story pass into legend, to erase the legacy of their predecessors.
Old records of the ritual and the true history of the Proudstar achievements can still be found in the Southern Library if one knows where to look.