<strong>Name</strong>:  Eligio V - Prince of Miragliano<br/><br/><strong>Age</strong>: 63<br/><br/><strong>Personality</strong>:  Generally regarded as a good and benevolent ruler.  He sometimes listens to his advisers, but often has his mind already made up and only accepts their advice if it confirms what he has already decided.  Only a few of the older members of his Privy Council know they can tell him, and on rare occasions convince him, that he's wrong.  He is by no means naive when it comes to international affairs, but he always made a better warrior than administrator.  He inspires loyalty in those who are closest to him, and they in turn inspire the masses toward loyalty to the Prince.  Eligio also knows that image is important for a ruler.  Therefore, he is always mindful of his posture when appearing in public, and is content to let everyone think he is "satisfying" his beautiful young wife on a nightly basis.<br/><br/><strong>Background</strong>: Eligio ascended to the throne at 17, when his own father died in battle.  Confident he would make a great ruler at the time, he came to realize just how unprepared he had been for the job.  (This has a lot of influence on his attitude toward his son's education.)  Under his rule, Miragliano has seen many positive changes, most notably an increase in the standard of living that came with (1) discovery of gold in the northern mountain region (2) the end of multiple wars and quasiwars that came with the breakup of an empire, as well as civil discord within Miragliano itself, and (3) the buildup of the Navy to protect commerce.  The recent death of his wife of 20 years, Gretchen, was a severe blow to him.  Though he is remarried to a much younger and more beautiful woman, Eligio wants his son Gilberto to maintain a close connection to his mother's heritage, which is why his son now has several tutors from the Reikmar region.<br/><br/><strong>Appearance</strong>:  To put it bluntly, Eligio is showing signs of age.  Muscles are now concealed by a layer of fat, and his center of gravity is somewhat lower than it used to be.  Olive skin is starting to shrivel from years of exposure, and his dark hair is now more gray than black.  Easily winded and prone to stooping, public appearances are much less frequent now than in previous years.<br/><br/>*******************************<br/><br/><br/><strong>Name</strong>:  Gilberto (Famiglia de'Cavalcanti)<br/><br/><br/><strong>Age</strong>:  18<br/><br/><strong>Personality</strong>:  An only child, he's brought up to be ruler and he accepts that role destiny had thrust upon him. When he was younger he was a bit of a brat -- always hiding from his tutors when he didn't want to study, etc --- he's found several secret passages in the palace that nobody else knows (since the palace is hundreds of years old).  Now he is studious, a fair horseman and swordsman, but hardly the best. He worries about his ability to rule, and fears what might happen if he has to lead his kingdom to war.<br/><br/><strong>Background</strong>:<br/><br/>He can barely remember a time when both parents were deeply involved in his life.  After his mother's death, his father seemed more withdrawn and took a hands off approach to the raising of his son.  As a prince, Gilberto was somewhat insulated from other children his own age, and play with them was never "equal".  There were even times when a governess or caretaker would punish another child for something Gilberto did.  The feeling of guilt for getting other children in trouble remains with him to this day.  It's made him something of a loner, and most of his more physical activities are things he can do alone.<br/><br/>As future ruler, Gilberto holds several minor titles and positions - count of this and baron of that, deputy constable here and deacon there.  He sometimes accompanies his regiment in patrolling the eastern border, though it seems to him his military superiors take great pains to ensure he is never in any danger.  Lately, his father has insisted Gilberto broaden his studies and has brought tutors from the Reikmar region in order to honor his mother's heritage.  The fervor with which Gilberto embraces that part of his heritage is not because of his mother, but because of his stepmother, with whom he is secretly in love.  Of course he would never reveal this to anyone.<br/><br/>Several eligible young ladies have been presented as possible brides -- yes, it's getting to be that time -- but he hasn't expressed a preference for any of them. How can he even think about spending the rest of his life with any of them when he's already in love with someone else?<br/><br/><strong>Appearance</strong>:  Thin, and slightly taller than average, he has the characteristic olive skin and black hair of virtually every boy his age in Miragliano, but his mother's blue eyes.  He prefers comfortable clothing to his princely robes and etc, but the royal tailor insures his "comfortable" clothing still maintains a princely look.  There is a scar on his right cheek from one childhood injury, and a smaller scar above his left eye from another - both injuries resulting from dares, which he took as an affront to his courage.