2,058
edits
Romulan: Difference between revisions
Corrected several misspellings and grammatical errors.
Alora DeVeau (talk | contribs) (Added header bars to help with separation of sections and ease of reading.) |
Alora DeVeau (talk | contribs) (Corrected several misspellings and grammatical errors.) |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
:: ''"Certain it is and sure: love burns, ale burns, fire burns, politics burn, but cold were life without them. "'' | :: ''"Certain it is and sure: love burns, ale burns, fire burns, politics burn, but cold were life without them. "'' | ||
::: | ::: - A Romulan proverb. | ||
:The Romulans are a humanoid race from the Beta Quadrant which shares a common ancestry with the Vulcans. In the aftermath of the Dominion War, the Federation and the [[Romulan Star Empire]] emerged as the two greatest powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, but the [[Hobus supernova]] destroyed Romulus and Remus in 2387, fracturing the empire as various factions vied for control of the remaining Romulan systems. With the destruction of the original Senate, both the Romulan military and the Tal Shiar consolidated considerable power, and through their support, Rator III asserted itself as the new capital of the Romulan Star Empire in 2392. However, a number of splinter factions have emerged after the Hobus supernova, with the largest being the [[Romulan Republic]], which the Empire views as a rogue province. | :The Romulans are a humanoid race from the Beta Quadrant which shares a common ancestry with the Vulcans. In the aftermath of the Dominion War, the Federation and the [[Romulan Star Empire]] emerged as the two greatest powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, but the [[Hobus supernova]] destroyed Romulus and Remus in 2387, fracturing the empire as various factions vied for control of the remaining Romulan systems. With the destruction of the original Senate, both the Romulan military and the Tal Shiar consolidated considerable power, and through their support, Rator III asserted itself as the new capital of the Romulan Star Empire in 2392. However, a number of splinter factions have emerged after the Hobus supernova, with the largest being the [[Romulan Republic]], which the Empire views as a rogue province. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
{{LCARS-bar-heading|History|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | {{LCARS-bar-heading|History|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | ||
{{Romulan library}} | {{Romulan library}} | ||
The Romulan people originated in the minority of Vulcans who rejected the reforms of Surak. | The Romulan people originated in the minority of Vulcans who rejected the reforms of Surak. Choosing to exile themselves in order to preserve their ancestral way of life, they left Vulcan during the 4th century, marching under the banner of the Raptor that is still in use as a symbol of the Romulan Empire. | ||
After a long journey, the Vulcans in exile reached the Romulus star system, where they settled on the twin planets Romulus and Remus. Romulus was a lush world devoid of sentient life, whereas Remus was harsh but possessed abundant mineral resources, notably dilithium, that Romulus lacked. Furthermore, Remus was inhabited by a sentient race, the Remans, which Romulans quickly subjugated. Remans were considered at best as second-class citizens in the Romulan Empire, when they were not used for slave labour or as expendable shock troops. | After a long journey, the Vulcans in exile reached the Romulus star system, where they settled on the twin planets Romulus and Remus. Romulus was a lush world devoid of sentient life, whereas Remus was harsh but possessed abundant mineral resources, notably dilithium, that Romulus lacked. Furthermore, Remus was inhabited by a sentient race, the Remans, which Romulans quickly subjugated. Remans were considered at best as second-class citizens in the Romulan Empire, when they were not used for slave labour or as expendable shock troops. | ||
Once settled, the new Romulans turned their attention to the stars, in the militaristic and | Once settled, the new Romulans turned their attention to the stars, in the militaristic and expansionist way that was the Vulcans’ before Surak’s reforms. The twin worlds of Romulus and Remus became the foundation of what became known as the Romulan Star Empire and soon spanned across a portion of the Beta and Alpha Quadrants. | ||
Enterprise NX-01 officially made First Contact with the Romulans in 2152, by encountering a Romulan-laid minefield. However, the Romulans had been aware of Humanity for some time at that date, having | Enterprise NX-01 officially made First Contact with the Romulans in 2152, by encountering a Romulan-laid minefield. However, the Romulans had been aware of Humanity for some time at that date, having successfully infiltrated Vulcan High Command. | ||
The following years saw rising tensions between Romulans and Humans, culminating in the Earth-Romulan war of 2156-2160. The war was fought to a stalemate and concluded with the signature of | The following years saw rising tensions between Romulans and Humans, culminating in the Earth-Romulan war of 2156-2160. The war was fought to a stalemate and concluded with the signature of a treaty establishing a neutral zone of one light year between Human and Romulan territories. This treaty was extended to the United Federation of Planets after its foundation one year later. | ||
The Romulan Empire passed the next decades in | The Romulan Empire passed the next decades in relative isolation, minus the odd border skirmish or sabotage attempt from time to time. | ||
After the Romulan ambassador to the Federation took part in a conspiracy to sabotage the Khitomer Conference in 2293, the Romulan Empire signed an accord with both the [[Klingon Empire]] and the [[United Federation of Planets]]. | After the Romulan ambassador to the Federation took part in a conspiracy to sabotage the Khitomer Conference in 2293, the Romulan Empire signed an accord with both the [[Klingon Empire]] and the [[United Federation of Planets]]. | ||
| Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
Romulan isolationism continued to be in effect until the Khitomer Massacre in 2364, during which the Romulans massacred or took prisoner the whole population of the Klingon planet, minus two. | Romulan isolationism continued to be in effect until the Khitomer Massacre in 2364, during which the Romulans massacred or took prisoner the whole population of the Klingon planet, minus two. | ||
After an initial joint Cardassian-Romulan attack against the Dominion in 2371 that ended in a disaster, the Romulan Empire signed a | After an initial joint Cardassian-Romulan attack against the Dominion in 2371 that ended in a disaster, the Romulan Empire signed a nonaggression treaty with the Dominion in 2373. However, the Romulan Empire denounced this treaty and joined the side of the Klingon-Federation Alliance in 2374 after the assassination of Romulan Senator Vrenaak. | ||
===Hobus supernova=== | ===Hobus supernova=== | ||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
The Romulans do not worship any deity. Instead, they follow the Way of D’era (sometimes simply referred to as the Way), which dictates that they are superior to all other races and destined to rule the galaxy. D’era, which translates as "Endless Sky" (that the Romulans are supposed to conquer), also teaches obedience, discipline and similar traits that prevent the Romulan Empire from falling apart due to its own internal conflicts. | The Romulans do not worship any deity. Instead, they follow the Way of D’era (sometimes simply referred to as the Way), which dictates that they are superior to all other races and destined to rule the galaxy. D’era, which translates as "Endless Sky" (that the Romulans are supposed to conquer), also teaches obedience, discipline and similar traits that prevent the Romulan Empire from falling apart due to its own internal conflicts. | ||
They also revere the Elements that make the Universe: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and the | They also revere the Elements that make the Universe: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and the Arch-element that binds them all together. | ||
{{LCARS-bar-heading|Mythology|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | {{LCARS-bar-heading|Mythology|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | ||
Both Romulan and Vulcan mythologies state that their race has been created by the Ancient Ones, also called the Vhorani, on a world called Vorta Vor, the Wellspring or Creation. Vorta Vor is depicted as the equivalent of the Terran Garden of Eden, and Romulans believe that fallen | Both Romulan and Vulcan mythologies state that their race has been created by the Ancient Ones, also called the Vhorani, on a world called Vorta Vor, the Wellspring or Creation. Vorta Vor is depicted as the equivalent of the Terran Garden of Eden, and Romulans believe that fallen soldiers who died as heroes are welcomed back to Vorta Vor to serve as honor guards. | ||
The Romulan believe that the Vhorani have transplanted them from Vorta Vor to the harsh environment of Vulcan in the hope that the inhospitable planet would make them strong and worthy of being their inheritors, rulers of the universe after them. | The Romulan believe that the Vhorani have transplanted them from Vorta Vor to the harsh environment of Vulcan in the hope that the inhospitable planet would make them strong and worthy of being their inheritors, rulers of the universe after them. | ||
| Line 126: | Line 126: | ||
Another popular game, Tyr’llryanniha, is a full-contact, often brutal and bloody, sport. It is similar to Earth’s football, but with the added danger of razor-sharp, bladed weapons. It is not unusual to see at least half of the players carried off the playing field before the first half of the game is finished. | Another popular game, Tyr’llryanniha, is a full-contact, often brutal and bloody, sport. It is similar to Earth’s football, but with the added danger of razor-sharp, bladed weapons. It is not unusual to see at least half of the players carried off the playing field before the first half of the game is finished. | ||
The Romulan also enjoy a great deal of games. The most well known are: D’elo the game of stones and sticks that traces back to ancient Vulcan, Lhi the game of wits and riddles, and even three-dimensional chess has become popular within Romulan space. The Romulan also enjoy Khariat, a game made up of pieces that are removed one at a time from the structure. The one to draw the piece that causes the structure to fall is the loser. Trayatik is a dice game, similar to ‘craps’. Villrillu are the | The Romulan also enjoy a great deal of games. The most well known are: D’elo the game of stones and sticks that traces back to ancient Vulcan, Lhi the game of wits and riddles, and even three-dimensional chess has become popular within Romulan space. The Romulan also enjoy Khariat, a game made up of pieces that are removed one at a time from the structure. The one to draw the piece that causes the structure to fall is the loser. Trayatik is a dice game, similar to ‘craps’. Villrillu are the Romulan versions of playing cards, and there are numerous games to be enjoyed with them. | ||
The Romulans also relish nature, and enjoy the outdoors a great deal. Most Romulan are avid hikers and campers, and participate in a wide variety of other outdoor activities as well. | The Romulans also relish nature, and enjoy the outdoors a great deal. Most Romulan are avid hikers and campers, and participate in a wide variety of other outdoor activities as well. | ||
| Line 137: | Line 137: | ||
{{LCARS-bar-heading|Customs|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | {{LCARS-bar-heading|Customs|10|COLOR=#FFD700}} | ||
At the center of the Romulan code of behavior is the importance of “mnhei’sahe.” It is an abstract measurement of a Romulan’s personal honor and is often used as a status symbol in their culture. Mnhei’sahe, which translates loosely to “the ruling passion,” centers around a strong respect and appreciation of honor, duty, courtesy and strength. In all interactions between Romulan, it is imperative that all parties leave afterward feeling that their honor and “face,” is intact. If not, it is paramount to | At the center of the Romulan code of behavior is the importance of “mnhei’sahe.” It is an abstract measurement of a Romulan’s personal honor and is often used as a status symbol in their culture. Mnhei’sahe, which translates loosely to “the ruling passion,” centers around a strong respect and appreciation of honor, duty, courtesy and strength. In all interactions between Romulan, it is imperative that all parties leave afterward feeling that their honor and “face,” is intact. If not, it is paramount to deny mnhei’sahe to the offended party. If the offending party feels he can apologize without himself losing face, he does so. Wars, executions and deaths of entire households can be required to satisfy mnhei’sahe. If mnhei’sahe is always intact within the Empire, the Romulan believe that they can never lose. | ||
If the disgraced party is beyond redemption, those present may simply execute him or recommend he commit ritual suicide by sending him swords in order prevent further disgrace and loss of mnhei’sahe. Above all, mnhei’sahe is sensitive to the context of the situation and is a rather interpretive concept. It is not a specific codified set of rules, but an unspoken understanding which guides the actions of all Romulan throughout life. Romulan honor their word when it is given to another Rihannha. To break with one’s word means dishonor and a loss of mnhei’sahe, a fate worse than death. Politeness, respect, and quiet dignity are always required if mnhei’sahe is to be satisfied. | If the disgraced party is beyond redemption, those present may simply execute him or recommend he commit ritual suicide by sending him swords in order prevent further disgrace and loss of mnhei’sahe. Above all, mnhei’sahe is sensitive to the context of the situation and is a rather interpretive concept. It is not a specific codified set of rules, but an unspoken understanding which guides the actions of all Romulan throughout life. Romulan honor their word when it is given to another Rihannha. To break with one’s word means dishonor and a loss of mnhei’sahe, a fate worse than death. Politeness, respect, and quiet dignity are always required if mnhei’sahe is to be satisfied. | ||
Romulans honor power as much as they honor loyalty and it is the goal of each Romulan to attain that power if not for one’s self or House, then always for the Empire. Romulan are always loyal to the Empire itself, not to any one person. For the Romulan, power can not be defined in the standard Terran terms, but is the power of mnhei’sahe, and it defines the structure within Romulan society and the daily decisions each Romulan makes. | |||
Romulan parents dispose of any newborn carrying birth defects as the alternative would mean a waste of resources. | Romulan parents dispose of any newborn carrying birth defects as the alternative would mean a waste of resources. | ||
| Line 157: | Line 157: | ||
The Romulan Star Navy, also called Romulan Imperial Fleet or Imperial Armada, regroups the space forces of the Romulan Star Empire, notably its signature warbirds. | The Romulan Star Navy, also called Romulan Imperial Fleet or Imperial Armada, regroups the space forces of the Romulan Star Empire, notably its signature warbirds. | ||
Some of the distinctive technologies associated | Some of the distinctive technologies associated with the Romulan military include their famous cloaking devices, antiproton-based disruptor weapons, plasma torpedoes and quantum-singularity reactors. They are also infamous for resorting to thalaron generators as anti-personnel weapons. | ||
Romulan military uniforms consist of a collared black undershirt with the Imperial emblem at the base of the neck and a belted, square-patterned jacket. Rank insignia is a series of diamond and crescent shapes, worn on a shoulder belt. | Romulan military uniforms consist of a collared black undershirt with the Imperial emblem at the base of the neck and a belted, square-patterned jacket. Rank insignia is a series of diamond and crescent shapes, worn on a shoulder belt. | ||