Romulan Star Empire
The Romulan Star Empire is an interstellar empire that features in Star Trek.
Contents |
History
The Romulan Star Empire was an interstellar empire that was established by the Romulans. (TOS: Balance of Terror)
As of 2154, the Romulan Star Empire was covertly collaborating with Administrator V'Las of the Vulcan High Command. This was part of a decades-long effort to 'reunify' the Romulan and Vulcan 'cousins' by politically isolating Vulcan. However, a group of Vulcans named Syrrannites accused the High Command of no longer following the logical teachings of Surak and, thus, were a threat to the Romulan plans of reunification. Secretly working with Major Talok, a Romulan deep-cover agent who had infiltrated Vulcan several years earlier and now worked within the Vulcan High Command, V'Las assumed a very aggressive stance and framed the Syrrannites for a terror attack on the United Earth Embassy on Vulcan. This also saw the calling for a pre-emptive strike against Andoria, the conspiracy ultimately led to the Battle of Andoria between Vulcan and the Andorian Empire in mid-2154. However, V'Las was deposed after he was eventually identified as being behind the embassy bombings and the exaggerated war claims against the Andorians. Although Talok then promised him that this would be but a minor setback, he subsequently left Vulcan. (ENT: Kir'Shara)
In the year 2266, the Romulan Star Empire shattered over a century of isolation by dispatching a single, advanced Bird-of-Prey across the Neutral Zone to test the resolve and tactical capabilities of the United Federation of Planets. Utilizing a revolutionary cloaking device that rendered the vessel invisible to conventional sensors and an incinerating plasma torpedo of immense destructive power, the Romulans systematically decimated Earth Outposts 2, 3, and 4, leaving no survivors in their wake. The Commander of the vessel, a weary but dutiful tactician, conducted a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the USS Enterprise, seeking to evaluate whether the Federation had grown soft in the decades of peace. Throughout the engagement, the Romulans displayed a disciplined adherence to their martial heritage, even as they grappled with internal dissent and the discovery that their ancient kinship with the Vulcans was now known to their enemies. Ultimately, after a grueling tactical duel that pushed both crews to their limits, the Romulan vessel was crippled; refusing the indignity of capture and adhering to the unforgiving code of his Empire, the Commander activated the ship's self-destruct mechanism, ensuring that the secrets of Romulan technology remained shielded even in a noble, final defeat. (TOS: Balance of Terror)
In 2268, a devastating polaric ion device explosion resulted in the destruction of a Romulan research colony on Chaltok IV. Following this incident, the Polaric Test Ban Treaty, banning research on polaric energy, was signed. (VOY: Time and Again)
A notable event for the Empire was the Norkan Campaign conducted on a number of outposts with this being perpetrated by Alidar Jarok who was hailed as a hero to the Romulan people. (TNG: The Defector)
Following the Tomed Incident, the Romulan empire disappeared from galactic affairs with them not engaging for the next fifty years. (TNG: The Neutral Zone)
The non-aggression pact with the Dominion was negotiated by Senator Vreenak. (DS9: In the Pale Moonlight)
In the course of the war, Dominion forces crossed the Romulan Neutral Zone where they attacked Federation assets with the Romulan Star Empire turning their eye away from these breaches in their territory due to the non-aggression pact with the Founders. Senator Vreenak who was returning back to Soukara from a diplomatic mission with the Dominion had his shuttle explode on the journey back with the act being attributed to sabotage. The Tal Shiar investigated the issue and it was determined that the Dominion had killed Vreenak after he had recovered a data rod where the invasion of Romulus was being planned. As a result, the Romulan Star Empire decided to enter into the Dominion War on the side of the Federation and broke the non-aggression pact with the Dominion. The formal declaration of war was made against the Dominion with fifteen enemy bases struck on the Cardassian border. (DS9: In the Pale Moonlight) Romulan forces also managed to force the Dominion to retreat from the Benzen system. (DS9: The Reckoning)
Afterwards, Starfleet attempted to convince the Romulans on launching the invasion of Cardassian space starting with the Chin'toka system. The Romulan military leaders found the move unwise but were ultimately convinced to join the joint Federation and Klingon attack forces in taking the planet. (DS9: Tears of the Prophets) A Romulan delegation arrived at Deep Space 9 after the closure of the wormhole which consisted of Senator Creetak being assigned to the space station. At this time, the Dominion counterattack at Chin'toka saw the Romulans bear the brunt of the assault and despite heavy casualties they managed to hold the line. However, tensions arose when it came to light that the Star Empire were establishing an armed outpost on Bajor's moon despite initial claims that it was to be a hospital for their wounded. (DS9: Image in the Sand) This saw the Federation launching a formal protest to the Romulan Senate which saw the empire lodge a counter protest to the Federation Council. Around Bajor's fourth moon, the Romulan convoy faced opposition from the Bajoran Militia's fleet with Starfleet Admiral Ross intervening. Thus, the Romulan Star Empire agreed to remove the weapons from the Bajoran moon whilst their convoy turned back. (DS9: Shadows and Symbols)
This resulted in the collapse of the Neutral Zone and bringing a period of lawlessness within the region around Romulan space. During this time, a vigilante group emerged called the Fenris Rangers who looked to maintaining the peace in the tense region. (PIC: Stardust City Rag)
Overview
Government
The leader of the empire was headed by a person who held the rank of Praetor with appointees being confirmed by the Continuing Committee. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges) The government structure of the Star Empire was headed by the Proconsul. (TNG: Unification, Part 2) The Senate was a body that consisted of numerous Senators that included leading figures in the empire. (TNG: Unification, Part 1) A position that existed at some point in the empire was that of the empress. (TNG: The Q and the Grey)
One of the bodies within the hierarchy was the War Plans Council. (DS9: In the Pale Moonlight)
The Tal Shiar was headed by a person who held the title of Chairman with these typically being placed on the Continuing Committee. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges)
Their species were said to be a very moral people with an absolute certainty of right and wrong that determined their friends from their enemies. It was this strict moral compass that was said to provide them a clarity of purpose with this combined with their passion and commitment being compelling qualities. (TNG: The Face of the Enemy) Romulan soldiers was noted for being quite professional in their duty. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges) Remans were considered an undesirable caste in the hierarchy of the Empire but had a reputation as being formidable warriors with them being deployed in the most violent encounters. (Movie: Nemesis)
A precept of the empire was the doctrine of unlimited expansion that held that conquest was the best course for the Romulan people. (ENT: The Aenar) After the Star Empire captures territory, it was known that they rarely gave up their new acquisition. (Episode: The Reckoning) It was known that there were at least three centuries of mistrust between the Romulans and the Federation. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges)
An institution in the empire was the Imperial War College that was a military school where members of both the regular military and the Tal Shiar were trained. (TNG: Face of the Enemy)
A secretive cabal and group within Romulan empire was the Zhat Vash which was a term that referred to the keepers of the dead who were the only ones in their society that could be entrusted with secrets. They were said to a thousand year old secret society that guarded an ancient secret that was so terrible that it could break a person's mind. Part of this involved a complete hatred and loathing of artificial intelligences and life with them working to destroy any such machines. Their existence was largely unknown except as a myth with it being said that the Tal Shiar were simply a mask for this organization to operate with them operating not only on Romulan worlds but others as well. (PIC: Maps and Legends)
Those individuals that were recognised for great work were given the Praetor Colius Award which was a prestigious award in the Romulan Star Empire. (DS9: In the Pale Moonlight)
Their methods of forensic molecular reconstruction were noted for being illegal within the Federation. (PIC: Maps and Legends) Tal Shiar data gathering techniques were able to gain valuable intelligence from interrogated subjects. (Episode: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges) Their sensors were said to be as effective as those in Starfleet. (Episode: Redemption, Part 2) Trilithium isotopes were a common component of Romulan plasma torpedoes. (Episode: Image in the Sand) Such weapons required the use of launch sequencers in order to bring the weapon systems online. (DS9: Shadows and Symbols)
Romulan distrust of artificial intelligence meant that there was a complete absence of such life within their empire. In fact, they were said to not study cybernetics and there computers were limited to purely numerical functions. (PIC: Maps and Legends) Communication was achieved through the Romulan Central Information Net that was a primary database of the empire that was highly restricted which was protected with progressive encryption lock featuring a forty-three part cypher key. (TNG: Unification II)
The empire were signatories of the Polaric Test Ban Treaty that banned research on polaric energy due to the dangers posed by it. (VOY: Time and Again)
Technology
Romulan Warbirds were known to make use of artificial quantum singularities as a power source instead of traditional matter/anti-matter reactions. Nullifier cores were used to dampen the radiative emissions of the ships engines whilst cloaked in order for them to remain undetected. (TNG: The Face of the Enemy)
One development made by the empire was the cloaking device that was an 'invisibility screen' which functioned by the selective bending of light around the vessel to make it visually imperceptible. While it effectively hid the ship from the naked eye, it did not provide total stealth, as enemy ships were still able to detect a 'motion' or an 'echo' on their tracking sensors by matching the Romulan vessel's course and speed. The device placed an enormous strain on the ship's limited power supply. This necessitated the vessel to decloak in order to fire their weapon systems. (TOS: Balance of Terror) A prototype vessel by the 25th century though was shown to have the ability to fire whilst cloaked. (TNG: Star Trek X: Nemesis)
A weapon developed by the Romulan Star Empire were plasma torpedoes that generated an enveloping energy plasma that forced an implosion in the target. The high-energy explosive was capable of incinerating entire asteroids including some two miles in diameter and the fortified outposts constructed upon them with only a few direct hits. It was noted that the initial versions of this weapon had a limited range and the plasma effect would dissipate after a few minutes of faster-than-light travel. In addition, the energy expended forced a Romulan to decloak in order to fire the torpedo. (TOS: Balance of Terror)
Territory
The border between the Federation and the Romulan empire was the Neutral Zone that operated as a buffer between the two interstellar governments. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) It was a vast, silent expanse of space that served as a one-light-year-wide demilitarized buffer between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire. (TOS: Balance of Terror)
Worlds belonging to the Romulan empire included:
- Romulus :
- Remus :
- Chaltok IV :
Members
- Valdore :
- Alidar Jarok : a male Romulan who rose the position of Admiral in the 24th century where he was responsible for the Norkan Campaign. He grew tired of the Empire's push towards war and attempted to warn the Federation of a base at Nelvana III though this was simply a trick by High Command to catch him being a traitor. Jarok ultimately committed suicide rather than live with his continued disgrace. (TNG: The Defector)
- Sela :
- Kimara Creetak :
- Vreenak :
- Donatra :
Notes
- The Romulan Star Empire was created by Paul Schneider where it featured in the setting of the Star Trek universe.
Alternate Versions
In other media
Video games
- In Star Trek: Klingon Academy, the Romulan Star Empire featured as antagonists in the video-game prequel to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and were non-playable.
- In Star Trek: Armada, the Romulan Star Empire featured in the story of the video game and were a playable faction.
- In Star Trek: Armada II, the Romulan Star Empire featured in the story of the video game sequel and were a playable faction.
- In Star Trek: Starfleet Command III, the Romulan Star Empire appeared as a playable faction in the video game. In the campaign mode, the player took the role of a young Romulan captain under the wing of an admiral from the Tal Shiar who intended to destroy the Unity One space station along with destroying the Federation-Klingon alliance.
- In Star Trek Online, the Romulan Star Empire was mentioned in the backstory of the MMORPG. It collapsed following the destruction of the Romulan homeworld after the Hobus star ignited. Various factions formed that sought to establish the empire under their rule. However, in this time, a new Romulan government formed called the Romulan Republic that served as a successor state and became a playable faction in DLC content.
- In Star Trek: Fleet Command, the Romulan Star Empire appeared as one of the factions present in the setting of the mobile video game based on the reboot Kelvinverse universe.
Novels
RPGs
Appearances
- Star Trek: The Original Series:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation: "Redemption, Part 2"
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine:
- Star Trek: Enterprise:
- Star Trek: Picard: (2020)
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds:
External Links
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