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Ambrivan Physiology and Lore
7 years ago
Physiology
Ambrivans are short, about 3'5" to 4'5" for females and, on average five inches taller for males. Adult petite or lean Ambrivan females weigh around 180 pounds, athletic or muscular female Ambrivans weigh around 200 pounds, and while not common, over weight Ambrivans do exist (males weigh 20-30 pounds more than females on average). Ambrivans can live for 150-180 years on average, with 1-20 being young, 21-50 being children, 51-80 being teenagers, 81-120 being adults, and 121-180 being elderly. Most Ambrivans do not live past 180 (tho some do - the oldest on record was 200).
Ambrivans are stout and do not injure easily. They jump high, run fast, but are clumsy in water without special training. They are hardy and do not suffer in the cold like some creatures do tho they overheat easily in the summer and fall. They get claustrophobic easily - they prefer wide open spaces... tho some have overcome this and work in mines or live in forests. Most Ambrivans are afraid of heights as well, and only a select few can glide thru the air. Those that can glide thru the air are considered genetic superior (for flight, Ambrivans usually require magic as even a GS Ambrivan's wings are a little too small for flight alone and barely sustain gliding for more than a few minutes).
All Ambrivans have two fingers and a thumb on their hands, and they have two toes on their feet. They all have a tail that extends out one foot for females and up to three feet for males. The underside of their tail and the backs of their feet have gems embedded into them from where they drag. Tails never grow. Babies are born with the length of tail they will have throughout their entire life and only the tail ribbons will grow with them as they age. The biggest differences between males and females are three items: 1) how they excrete their waste (women have holes on their body near the crease of their tail whereas men excrete waste from the end of their tails), 2) their overall body shape as females are curvy and voluptuous while men are more thick and muscular, and 3) men have a longer tail than women.
Love, Relationships, & Reproduction
Ambrivans enjoy fun and sometimes go thrill seeking. Close and dependable friendships are essential for safety as well as mutual development and networking. Most Ambrivans stay within their age circles and rarely adventure into older or younger Ambrivan friendships. Old-School and high-class Ambrivan society is formed around the belief in love at first sight. As such, Ambrivans are not date per the high class and elderly Ambrivans who follow old-school rules, and once they choose their mate, they pair off for life if their chosen mate reciprocates the affection. However, a new school of Romantic Lifestyle Ambrivans have come on the scene and believe in choice: they date whomever and however many they want, and when they find someone they are compatible with, they mate for life.
Crystals play a large part in an Ambrivan's life. Not only do they funnel magic for the Ambrivans, they also perform reproductive functions. Ambrivans do not have genitalia in the common sense. Both males and females have erotic zones that can be stimulated (lips/tongue, ears, tails, bottoms of feet, and a bump on the bottom front of the pelvis), but to reproduce, two Ambrivans must pull a gemstone from their flesh (incredibly painful) and match it to their partner. Then they choose who will carry the child to term, and the chosen partner takes the pair of gems and inserts them into their belly-button. Within minutes, their body will absorb the gems and the magic will form a new life. The new life will take about five months to mature into a baby that can live outside the womb. The baby is then birthed back through the belly-button area of the parent Ambrivan. Because conception is done this way, as long as there are two parents involved, same-sex parents can have biological children together and both men and women can carry and birth babies. Taking two gems from the same Ambrivan will NOT produce a child as there is only one side of the DNA needed in those gems.
Language & Naming
There are two languages: Ambirnon and Ambirnasign. Ambirnasign is a sign language the elder Ambrivans use in their old age to communicate discreetly among themselves while the other is the spoken language known by all Ambrivans.
Ambrivan names are as diverse as they get. Most are named after an elemental or geological feature they somewhat resemble with an additional nonsensical word after and then their proper name will follow. Most Ambrivans have four or five names tho less and more are not unheard of. Finally their family name completes the verbal diarrhea that is their identity. As their names are so convoluted, most Ambrivans are known by a nicname, often one that is not part of their full name... thus adding to the confusion of who is who.
Magic & Technology
Ambrivans have access to magic. The magic they have is not an innate ability but they use their bodies to channel the innate magic of their planet in various ways. The gemstones they pick up throughout their life carry this magic that they channel. Mutations also give and can create new magic - it just depends on the mutation and the rarity of the mutation.
Ambrivans are never allowed to have or to use dark magics - they are inherently good creatures. Each color of the rainbow is embodied by a gem on Ambaran and channels a specific set of powers. These powers can be Elemental or Superior powers. Elemental powers are the most common with only the most specialized Ambrivans able to have and channel Superior powers.
Elemental Magics
wind (purple)
from slight breeze to a gale that might knock your neighbor over...
water (yellow)
keep it fresh, catch a cool drink, or summon a spring rain...
fire/heat (red)
from a little burn to a fist-sized blaze...
light/electricity (orange)
a little light on things or a quick zap to your friend or annoying sibling...
earth (brown)
to move the earth or not, that is the question...
ice (blue)
a little cold snap or convenient ice rink for fun...
spirit/emotion (pink)
delve deep into the secrets emotions of life around you...
Superior Magics
metal/magnetism (gray)
tinker and have fun, metal is your to mold and more...
sonic (green)
send secret vibrations or make things crumble...
dreams (black)
enter the world of dreams and go on a journey or maybe just flush out the nightmares...
healing (white)
be the best and heal the hurts of those around you...
Combined Powers
SOME combinations of powers can turn into other powers if you have access to both types of gems...
dreams + spirit/emotion
dreamwalker: you can travel to and interact with the Astral Plane
sonic + ligh/electricity
thunderclap: make the big booms...
wind + ice
superspeed: let nature make your way for you... only faster!
metal/magnetism + fire/heat
magma: make that lave flow - it's unstoppable!
healing + spirit/emotion
therapist: cure the mind and soul along with the body...
water + earth
greenthumb: grow the plants that you need or want...
DARK Magics & Powers
The great evil of our time left behind a legacy of fear and darkness...
energy/spirit absorption (black)
can literally drain away the life force of anyone or thing you want to any degree...
WHEN IN COMBINATION OF OTHER NON-DARK MAGICS, THE MAGICAL COLOR DARKENS AND CAN BE USED FOR EVIL...
Ambrivans are also a technological race. They strive for perfection and easy access. They want all the creature comforts when they come home from work (they value a job well done and being self-sufficient above most everything). If we have it on Earth, they have it or a better version on Ambaran. They also mix technology and magic - some technology works better with Ambrivans using certain gemstones.
Organized Religion & Sports
Ambrivans, thanks to all the magic and magically occurring things around them, are a spiritual race and subscribe to several organized religious beliefs. Each of the gods and goddesses have their own religious following, tho Andra and Rhideno are usually worshipped together. Temples to gods and goddess can be found scattered around Ambaran in and out of the cities. The largest temple is in Habrina City and is to Andra and Rhideno.
Ambrivans LOVE their sports - as a sturdy and muscular race, they take great joy in watching and participating in sports of all kinds. If we have it on Earth, they have it on Ambaran. But the biggest sport of all is RUDDERBALL!
Laws & Social Norms
Ambrivans look towards the legal professions for aid and a fair trial. Some Ambrivans just don't find that right spot to fit into society. As such, crime does happen. Some is petty crime (theft, minor assault, etc) while some is major like murder. Incarcerated Ambrivans are expected to contribute so society doing all the jobs the rest of society does not want to do.
Ambrivan society is built on mutual respect, but some forms of respect are mandated to be shown. When in the presence of an Ambrivan performing their chosen profession for you as a service, you bow in thanks. All Ambrivans through adulthood also bow to elder Ambrivans to show reverence to them. In society, rank is determined by age so an older adult goes first while the younger adult waits. And parent(s) are expected to care for their children before themself(s) and children expected to be well-mannered and quiet.
The military profession is always in high demand. Unlike the other professions, the military chooses the Ambrivan based on their magical aptitude. An Ambrivan who cannot tap their magic consistently and successfully has no business in battle. Military soldiers use both magic and technology combined to wage war and protect the planet. While the military looks medieval, it is the producer of and purchaser of the most technologically advanced items on Ambaran. They also experiment a lot with weapons and weapon/magic combinations. The highest ranking guard is the Royal Guard who protect the palace and Imperials. Their leading soldier is called the Royal Guardian and usually has two war advisers at his or her side. The elite part of the military are a unit called Imperial Grunts. Within them are specialized areas such as spies, snipers, seals, etc. Their leading solder is called the Imperial Guardsman (even if a woman) and has specialized in every possible field. It takes years to prove yourself in the main military to get to be a Royal Guard or an Imperial Grunt. The main military is where the bulk of the soldiers find themselves - trying to work up to Royal Guards or Imperial Grunts. They supplement the police force when necessary, specialize in many different things like medical care, guns and ammo, magic (close range and distance), physical combat, etc.
Ambrivans & Other Species
Ambrivans are the key species in two evolutionary changes: Haalomans and Seresans. Ambrivans can be found playing in the water with Seresans and gliding through the sky with Haalomans (either with wings or technology that lets them fly). They get along well with each species and are often the teachers to these two more archaic species...
A Timeline of Ambaran
Before Timekeeping
There was a time when history was not kept. These dark days were filled with war, strife, starvation, and mistrust. Two races of creatures were said to have come from the viscous fluid of the pits of Ambaran: the Ahrizadi (a lizard-like creature) and the Jhadivans (a cat-like creature). Tho evolving separately, eventually when the tumultuous upheaval from the viscous fluid stopped, the two factions found peace. We only know this because the hybrid created created from their union is the earliest ancestor of the Ambrivans...
Year 1 - 292
The reign of the first Emperor was a great one according to the Ambrivan history books. Emperor Auro was fierce and unrelenting. His Empress, Ristanna, gave him many children and supported their people. The factions of the Ahrizadi and Jhadivan peoples continued to blend together creating what Emperor Auro called a "Super Race" and named it Ambrivan. Anyone not recognizing the super race was found guilty of treason. Eventually, by year 292, only Ambrivans were left free in the world...
Year 293 - 411
After the death of Emperor Auro (old age), his eldest daughter, said to be the "Face of Ambrivan Society," took the throne. She had the momentous duty to continue the super race, and Empress Julikara did just that... She continued the push outward to seize any lands left by the Ahrizadi and Jhadivan factions, imprisoning any she found still in hiding. By the time she was done killing and imprisoning, there was no doubt that Ambrivans were all that was left on Ambaran. Her wife, Empress Dama, hated all the violence and greed and eventually poisoned Julikara. Dama was quickly overthrown and killed when the news of her treason surfaced. Their daughter, Princess Lith took the throne in 412.
Year 412 - 498
Empress Lith was kind and freed the prisoners of war - at least those who were still alive. Lith took on a new approach to Ambrivan life and sought to make life on Ambaran easier. She supported science and the efforts of the more modern classes of Ambrivans. A small sect of more medieval Ambrivans disagreed with her letting the remaining Ahrizadi and Jhadivan people go and disagreed with the pursuit of science... They plotted to end her reign. When the plot was discovered, Lith chose to step aside from the throne to avoid a bloody battle...
Year 499 - 671
The youngest son, tho now quite old, of Auro took over for his elder sister, Lith. Emperor Medo was nothing like his siblings. He was meek and understated, shy, quiet, and easy to manipulate. His Empress, Luna, was not so much but alas she was not in charge of everything. Where possible, she coached her lifemate to keep him from harm and trouble. Technological advancement stalled but the arts thrived in this time. A council was formed called the The Wandering Council that set out to found new cities for the Ambrivans. Five new cities were founded in this time, and on his deathbed (old age), Emperor Medo chose his daughter, Celesti, as his successor.
Year 672 - 834
Empress Celesti was a good blend of her parents - quiet and understated while also calculating and smart. No one knew quite what she was thinking or doing at any time. When she finally chose a lifemate, the nation rejoiced. She chose well as Emperor Rictu became equally loved. Magic bloomed everywhere. Libraries filled with books. Technology came up to speed and made lives easier and more fun everywhere! Celesti and Rictu set forth new laws that made the people safer. They started what is now the modern day militia. And most of the festivals and celebrations that are held nationwide happen because they created them.
Year 835 - Present (891)
Celesti and Rictu ruled long into their twilight years and then stepped aside on the throne so their son, Creid, could take over. Creid has recently mated to the governor's daughter, Lera. Emperor Creid focus' most of his time and effort on the military. With the growing number of celestial events, it is only a matter of time before a portal they can't control is opened that could let another creature onto Ambaran. And he wants to be ready for any eventuality. Empress Lera on the other hand is into volunteering and bettering the lives of the people who need it most. They have ruled successfully for a good many years and only recently had their first born child...
Ambrivans are short, about 3'5" to 4'5" for females and, on average five inches taller for males. Adult petite or lean Ambrivan females weigh around 180 pounds, athletic or muscular female Ambrivans weigh around 200 pounds, and while not common, over weight Ambrivans do exist (males weigh 20-30 pounds more than females on average). Ambrivans can live for 150-180 years on average, with 1-20 being young, 21-50 being children, 51-80 being teenagers, 81-120 being adults, and 121-180 being elderly. Most Ambrivans do not live past 180 (tho some do - the oldest on record was 200).
Ambrivans are stout and do not injure easily. They jump high, run fast, but are clumsy in water without special training. They are hardy and do not suffer in the cold like some creatures do tho they overheat easily in the summer and fall. They get claustrophobic easily - they prefer wide open spaces... tho some have overcome this and work in mines or live in forests. Most Ambrivans are afraid of heights as well, and only a select few can glide thru the air. Those that can glide thru the air are considered genetic superior (for flight, Ambrivans usually require magic as even a GS Ambrivan's wings are a little too small for flight alone and barely sustain gliding for more than a few minutes).
All Ambrivans have two fingers and a thumb on their hands, and they have two toes on their feet. They all have a tail that extends out one foot for females and up to three feet for males. The underside of their tail and the backs of their feet have gems embedded into them from where they drag. Tails never grow. Babies are born with the length of tail they will have throughout their entire life and only the tail ribbons will grow with them as they age. The biggest differences between males and females are three items: 1) how they excrete their waste (women have holes on their body near the crease of their tail whereas men excrete waste from the end of their tails), 2) their overall body shape as females are curvy and voluptuous while men are more thick and muscular, and 3) men have a longer tail than women.
Love, Relationships, & Reproduction
Ambrivans enjoy fun and sometimes go thrill seeking. Close and dependable friendships are essential for safety as well as mutual development and networking. Most Ambrivans stay within their age circles and rarely adventure into older or younger Ambrivan friendships. Old-School and high-class Ambrivan society is formed around the belief in love at first sight. As such, Ambrivans are not date per the high class and elderly Ambrivans who follow old-school rules, and once they choose their mate, they pair off for life if their chosen mate reciprocates the affection. However, a new school of Romantic Lifestyle Ambrivans have come on the scene and believe in choice: they date whomever and however many they want, and when they find someone they are compatible with, they mate for life.
Crystals play a large part in an Ambrivan's life. Not only do they funnel magic for the Ambrivans, they also perform reproductive functions. Ambrivans do not have genitalia in the common sense. Both males and females have erotic zones that can be stimulated (lips/tongue, ears, tails, bottoms of feet, and a bump on the bottom front of the pelvis), but to reproduce, two Ambrivans must pull a gemstone from their flesh (incredibly painful) and match it to their partner. Then they choose who will carry the child to term, and the chosen partner takes the pair of gems and inserts them into their belly-button. Within minutes, their body will absorb the gems and the magic will form a new life. The new life will take about five months to mature into a baby that can live outside the womb. The baby is then birthed back through the belly-button area of the parent Ambrivan. Because conception is done this way, as long as there are two parents involved, same-sex parents can have biological children together and both men and women can carry and birth babies. Taking two gems from the same Ambrivan will NOT produce a child as there is only one side of the DNA needed in those gems.
Language & Naming
There are two languages: Ambirnon and Ambirnasign. Ambirnasign is a sign language the elder Ambrivans use in their old age to communicate discreetly among themselves while the other is the spoken language known by all Ambrivans.
Ambrivan names are as diverse as they get. Most are named after an elemental or geological feature they somewhat resemble with an additional nonsensical word after and then their proper name will follow. Most Ambrivans have four or five names tho less and more are not unheard of. Finally their family name completes the verbal diarrhea that is their identity. As their names are so convoluted, most Ambrivans are known by a nicname, often one that is not part of their full name... thus adding to the confusion of who is who.
Magic & Technology
Ambrivans have access to magic. The magic they have is not an innate ability but they use their bodies to channel the innate magic of their planet in various ways. The gemstones they pick up throughout their life carry this magic that they channel. Mutations also give and can create new magic - it just depends on the mutation and the rarity of the mutation.
Ambrivans are never allowed to have or to use dark magics - they are inherently good creatures. Each color of the rainbow is embodied by a gem on Ambaran and channels a specific set of powers. These powers can be Elemental or Superior powers. Elemental powers are the most common with only the most specialized Ambrivans able to have and channel Superior powers.
Elemental Magics
wind (purple)
from slight breeze to a gale that might knock your neighbor over...
water (yellow)
keep it fresh, catch a cool drink, or summon a spring rain...
fire/heat (red)
from a little burn to a fist-sized blaze...
light/electricity (orange)
a little light on things or a quick zap to your friend or annoying sibling...
earth (brown)
to move the earth or not, that is the question...
ice (blue)
a little cold snap or convenient ice rink for fun...
spirit/emotion (pink)
delve deep into the secrets emotions of life around you...
Superior Magics
metal/magnetism (gray)
tinker and have fun, metal is your to mold and more...
sonic (green)
send secret vibrations or make things crumble...
dreams (black)
enter the world of dreams and go on a journey or maybe just flush out the nightmares...
healing (white)
be the best and heal the hurts of those around you...
Combined Powers
SOME combinations of powers can turn into other powers if you have access to both types of gems...
dreams + spirit/emotion
dreamwalker: you can travel to and interact with the Astral Plane
sonic + ligh/electricity
thunderclap: make the big booms...
wind + ice
superspeed: let nature make your way for you... only faster!
metal/magnetism + fire/heat
magma: make that lave flow - it's unstoppable!
healing + spirit/emotion
therapist: cure the mind and soul along with the body...
water + earth
greenthumb: grow the plants that you need or want...
DARK Magics & Powers
The great evil of our time left behind a legacy of fear and darkness...
energy/spirit absorption (black)
can literally drain away the life force of anyone or thing you want to any degree...
WHEN IN COMBINATION OF OTHER NON-DARK MAGICS, THE MAGICAL COLOR DARKENS AND CAN BE USED FOR EVIL...
Ambrivans are also a technological race. They strive for perfection and easy access. They want all the creature comforts when they come home from work (they value a job well done and being self-sufficient above most everything). If we have it on Earth, they have it or a better version on Ambaran. They also mix technology and magic - some technology works better with Ambrivans using certain gemstones.
Organized Religion & Sports
Ambrivans, thanks to all the magic and magically occurring things around them, are a spiritual race and subscribe to several organized religious beliefs. Each of the gods and goddesses have their own religious following, tho Andra and Rhideno are usually worshipped together. Temples to gods and goddess can be found scattered around Ambaran in and out of the cities. The largest temple is in Habrina City and is to Andra and Rhideno.
Ambrivans LOVE their sports - as a sturdy and muscular race, they take great joy in watching and participating in sports of all kinds. If we have it on Earth, they have it on Ambaran. But the biggest sport of all is RUDDERBALL!
Laws & Social Norms
Ambrivans look towards the legal professions for aid and a fair trial. Some Ambrivans just don't find that right spot to fit into society. As such, crime does happen. Some is petty crime (theft, minor assault, etc) while some is major like murder. Incarcerated Ambrivans are expected to contribute so society doing all the jobs the rest of society does not want to do.
Ambrivan society is built on mutual respect, but some forms of respect are mandated to be shown. When in the presence of an Ambrivan performing their chosen profession for you as a service, you bow in thanks. All Ambrivans through adulthood also bow to elder Ambrivans to show reverence to them. In society, rank is determined by age so an older adult goes first while the younger adult waits. And parent(s) are expected to care for their children before themself(s) and children expected to be well-mannered and quiet.
The military profession is always in high demand. Unlike the other professions, the military chooses the Ambrivan based on their magical aptitude. An Ambrivan who cannot tap their magic consistently and successfully has no business in battle. Military soldiers use both magic and technology combined to wage war and protect the planet. While the military looks medieval, it is the producer of and purchaser of the most technologically advanced items on Ambaran. They also experiment a lot with weapons and weapon/magic combinations. The highest ranking guard is the Royal Guard who protect the palace and Imperials. Their leading soldier is called the Royal Guardian and usually has two war advisers at his or her side. The elite part of the military are a unit called Imperial Grunts. Within them are specialized areas such as spies, snipers, seals, etc. Their leading solder is called the Imperial Guardsman (even if a woman) and has specialized in every possible field. It takes years to prove yourself in the main military to get to be a Royal Guard or an Imperial Grunt. The main military is where the bulk of the soldiers find themselves - trying to work up to Royal Guards or Imperial Grunts. They supplement the police force when necessary, specialize in many different things like medical care, guns and ammo, magic (close range and distance), physical combat, etc.
Ambrivans & Other Species
Ambrivans are the key species in two evolutionary changes: Haalomans and Seresans. Ambrivans can be found playing in the water with Seresans and gliding through the sky with Haalomans (either with wings or technology that lets them fly). They get along well with each species and are often the teachers to these two more archaic species...
A Timeline of Ambaran
Before Timekeeping
There was a time when history was not kept. These dark days were filled with war, strife, starvation, and mistrust. Two races of creatures were said to have come from the viscous fluid of the pits of Ambaran: the Ahrizadi (a lizard-like creature) and the Jhadivans (a cat-like creature). Tho evolving separately, eventually when the tumultuous upheaval from the viscous fluid stopped, the two factions found peace. We only know this because the hybrid created created from their union is the earliest ancestor of the Ambrivans...
Year 1 - 292
The reign of the first Emperor was a great one according to the Ambrivan history books. Emperor Auro was fierce and unrelenting. His Empress, Ristanna, gave him many children and supported their people. The factions of the Ahrizadi and Jhadivan peoples continued to blend together creating what Emperor Auro called a "Super Race" and named it Ambrivan. Anyone not recognizing the super race was found guilty of treason. Eventually, by year 292, only Ambrivans were left free in the world...
Year 293 - 411
After the death of Emperor Auro (old age), his eldest daughter, said to be the "Face of Ambrivan Society," took the throne. She had the momentous duty to continue the super race, and Empress Julikara did just that... She continued the push outward to seize any lands left by the Ahrizadi and Jhadivan factions, imprisoning any she found still in hiding. By the time she was done killing and imprisoning, there was no doubt that Ambrivans were all that was left on Ambaran. Her wife, Empress Dama, hated all the violence and greed and eventually poisoned Julikara. Dama was quickly overthrown and killed when the news of her treason surfaced. Their daughter, Princess Lith took the throne in 412.
Year 412 - 498
Empress Lith was kind and freed the prisoners of war - at least those who were still alive. Lith took on a new approach to Ambrivan life and sought to make life on Ambaran easier. She supported science and the efforts of the more modern classes of Ambrivans. A small sect of more medieval Ambrivans disagreed with her letting the remaining Ahrizadi and Jhadivan people go and disagreed with the pursuit of science... They plotted to end her reign. When the plot was discovered, Lith chose to step aside from the throne to avoid a bloody battle...
Year 499 - 671
The youngest son, tho now quite old, of Auro took over for his elder sister, Lith. Emperor Medo was nothing like his siblings. He was meek and understated, shy, quiet, and easy to manipulate. His Empress, Luna, was not so much but alas she was not in charge of everything. Where possible, she coached her lifemate to keep him from harm and trouble. Technological advancement stalled but the arts thrived in this time. A council was formed called the The Wandering Council that set out to found new cities for the Ambrivans. Five new cities were founded in this time, and on his deathbed (old age), Emperor Medo chose his daughter, Celesti, as his successor.
Year 672 - 834
Empress Celesti was a good blend of her parents - quiet and understated while also calculating and smart. No one knew quite what she was thinking or doing at any time. When she finally chose a lifemate, the nation rejoiced. She chose well as Emperor Rictu became equally loved. Magic bloomed everywhere. Libraries filled with books. Technology came up to speed and made lives easier and more fun everywhere! Celesti and Rictu set forth new laws that made the people safer. They started what is now the modern day militia. And most of the festivals and celebrations that are held nationwide happen because they created them.
Year 835 - Present (891)
Celesti and Rictu ruled long into their twilight years and then stepped aside on the throne so their son, Creid, could take over. Creid has recently mated to the governor's daughter, Lera. Emperor Creid focus' most of his time and effort on the military. With the growing number of celestial events, it is only a matter of time before a portal they can't control is opened that could let another creature onto Ambaran. And he wants to be ready for any eventuality. Empress Lera on the other hand is into volunteering and bettering the lives of the people who need it most. They have ruled successfully for a good many years and only recently had their first born child...
