Parteck Nakumata
Founder of the Race for the Lilacs
Legend states that Captain Nakumata of the Zennonaize Cavalry was short even for a Zennonaize and it was his statue that fueled his fierce, competitive spirit. Having won a fine mare in a game of dice, he paid handsome stud fees to a noble in Parietz who owned a champion and raised the resulting colt with his own hands, forgoing many meals to ensure it had the best feed itself. Three years later his colt had grown into a magnificent stallion with a sleek, auburn coat, a fierce temper, and legs that could gallop for hours. Confident in his horse and his own horsemanship, he organized a great race in his hometown of Tharichen, wagering his meager life savings on himself, declaring that he could beat Dono's finest in a steeplechase. Word of the event spread and nobles came from all over the Malpighien Steppes in what would become the first Race for the Lilacs. In the end, Parteck lost by two furlongs to the Dono's own son, but, again according to legend, the Dono was so impressed that he gifted the man a barony. Unfortunately, he was thrown from his horse and killed later that summer. The Dono, however, had such a grand time that race became a tradition every Water Moon.