Romulans

Latest revision as of 06:12, 26 October 2024

Romulans are an alien race that features in Star Trek.

History

Romulans were a humanoid species that lived in the Milky Way Galaxy. Their origins were traced to an ancient humanoid race who around 4.5 billion years ago seeded many worlds with the DNA to guide evolution to a form resembling their own with the resultant Romulans being one of he species that developed these DNA sequences. (TNG: The Chase)

In time, the differences with their Vulcan kin grew wider making them different for their distant cousins. (TNG: The Neutral Zone)

Centuries before the 24th century, a group of Romulans discovered an ancient encoded message on Aia, a planet in an artificially created octonary star system. The message, which was intended for synthetic lifeforms and called upon them to destroy their creators, prompted the formation of the Zhat Vash, a secret Romulan cabal dedicated to eliminating synthetic lifeforms. (PIC: Broken Pieces)

It was said that the self-destructive actions of Quinn of the Q Continuum created a misunderstanding that resulted in a century year long war between the Romulans and Vulcans. (VOY: Death Wish)

By 2152, the official position of the Vulcan high Command was that no direct contact had ever been made with the Romulan Star Empire with all that was known o them was rumours of them being an aggressive and territorial people. (ENT: Minefield)

The Romulan Empire's first recorded contact with Humans occurred in 2152 when the Starfleet vessel Enterprise NX-01 was on course to explore an M-class planet. Initially unknown to Enterprise, the planet was claimed by the Romulans. The ship was damaged by a cloaked spatial mine, part of a Romulan minefield surrounding the planet. A decloaking Romulan Bird-of-Prey subsequently established audio communication and, although the universal translator initially had problems to lock on to the Romulan language, Enterprise communications officer Hoshi Sato was able to translate what turned out to be an ultimatum to depart immediately. After successfully detaching a spatial mine that latched on to the ship's hull, Enterprise left the system. (ENT: Minefield)

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. Also calling for a preemptive 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)

It was believed that the Romulans fascination with humans was responsible for keeping the peace with the Federation. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) For the next century, Romulans isolated themselves from Human and Federation affairs. However, they remained very active within their own sphere of influence, fighting numerous campaigns. (TOS: Balance of Terror)

In 2266, the Neutral Zone Incursion by the Romulan Star Empire marked the end of a century of isolation from the Federation. Emerging from seclusion to test the strength of the empire's old enemy as well as to field test new technologies of its own, the Romulan Praetor ordered his finest flagship, a Romulan Bird-of-Prey led by an experienced commander, to violate the Neutral Zone and attack a series of Federation outposts that lined the border, in Sector Z-6. Equipped with an effective cloaking device and a powerful new plasma torpedo system, the Bird-of-Prey easily annihilated Outposts 2, 3, 4, and 8. The ship's commander voiced his concerns to his centurion that a victorious homecoming, revealing Federation weaknesses, could push the Empire into another war, but the marauding Romulan vessel was intercepted and defeated by the USS Enterprise before success could be reported. The incident ended with a visual communication in which the Romulan commander bestowed his respect to Captain Kirk of the Enterprise. This also marked the Federation's first confirmed visual observation of the Vulcan-like Romulan appearance. (TOS: Balance of Terror) A brief but ultimately unsuccessful thaw in relations occurred in 2267 between the Romulan Star Empire, the Klingon Empire, and the Federation, with the founding of a jointly managed colony on Nimbus III that was called the 'planet of galactic peace'. The colony quickly became an embarrassing failure for all three governments, although regular meetings between representatives did take place at the colony for at least the next twenty years. (Movie: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier) 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)

In the aftermath, billions of Romulan worlds were threatened by the Hobus star's explosion. A humanitarian crisis emerged with several figures in Starfleet suggesting that they used their resources to aid the Romulans in their evacuation. Several figures within Starfleet did not want to participate in this initiative as they did not want to aid their enemies but Admiral Picard managed to lead the relief efforts. (PIC: The End is the Beginning)

In 2266, the Neutral Zone Incursion by the Romulan Star Empire marked the end of a century of isolation from the Federation. Emerging from seclusion to test the strength of the empire's old enemy as well as to field test new technologies of its own, the Romulan Praetor ordered his finest flagship, a Romulan Bird-of-Prey led by an experienced commander, to violate the Neutral Zone and attack a series of Federation outposts that lined the border, in Sector Z-6. Equipped with an effective cloaking device and a powerful new plasma torpedo system, the Bird-of-Prey easily annihilated Outposts 2, 3, 4, and 8. The ship's commander voiced his concerns to his centurion that a victorious homecoming, revealing Federation weaknesses, could push the Empire into another war, but the marauding Romulan vessel was intercepted and defeated by the USS Enterprise before success could be reported. The incident ended with a visual communication in which the Romulan commander bestowed his respect to Captain Kirk of the Enterprise. This also marked the Federation's first confirmed visual observation of the Vulcan-like Romulan appearance. (TOS: Balance of Terror)

A brief but ultimately unsuccessful thaw in relations occurred in 2267 between the Romulan Star Empire, the Klingon Empire, and the Federation, with the founding of a jointly managed colony on Nimbus III. Named the 'planet of galactic peace, the colony quickly became an embarrassing failure for all three governments, although regular meetings between representatives did take place at the colony for at least the next twenty years. (Movie Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)

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)

In 2287, the Romulan ambassador to Nimbus III, Caithlin Dar, was briefly taken hostage alongside her Klingon and Federation colleagues by the so-called 'Galactic Army of Light'. Eventually, the crisis was resolved by an unusual cooperation between the USS Enterprise-A and an initially pursuing Klingon ship. (Movie: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)

Picard came to enlist the aid of the Qowat Milat in helping the evacuation of Romulan worlds to safe hubs such as on Vashti and him forging close ties to the order of warrior-nuns. (PIC: Absolute Candor)

In time, the Romulan Free State came to form as a government that managed Romulan space. (PIC: Maps and Legends)

In 2399, the Zhat Vash operated in secret to complete their mission in bringing about the extermination of synthetic life as per the warning they received from the Admonishment. This saw their agents eliminate Dahj Asha who was actually secretly an android though she was unaware of this fact until the attack. They managed to terminate the synth but not before she sought out the aid of retired Starfleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard who embarked on finding her sister Soji. At the time, Dr. Soji Asha was on the Artifact that was a Borg Cube being studied by both the Federation and Romulan governments. A Zhat Vash agent named Narek was tasked with seducing Soji and finding the synth homeworld from her whereupon he attempted to kill her but she managed to survive. She cam to join forces with Captain Picard where they set forth to the secret synth colony that was located on Coppelius. Upon learning its location, the Zhat Vash gathered their fleet that consisted of over 200 starships and they set forth to exterminate the android colony. The androids attempted to call aid from ancient synths that had exterminated their creators long ago but Jean-Luc Picard convinced them to stand down and get the protection of the Federation. Starfleet then confronted the Zhat Vash fleet where General Oh called her forces off after seeing that the synths had not enacted the prophech of Ganmadan. (PIC: Et in Arcadia Ego)

By the 30th century, the Vulcans and Romulans had achieved the long-standing goals of Spock namely the Reunification of the two branches of the species. This saw Vulcan being renamed as Ni'Var with both races occupying the planet. Around this time, there were shortages of dilithium reserves in the galaxy across the galaxy which would affect interstellar travel. Thus, the Federation looked for alternative means of FTL technology with the people of Ni'Var being in charge of the SB-19 project. Their findings though were that SB-19 was too dangerous and recommended the project be shut down but the desperate Federation forced the people of Ni'Var to activate the SB-19. Shortly afterwards, the events of the Burn occurred that caused every warp capable ship to explode across the galaxy and brought about the near end of space travel across the galaxy. The people of Ni'Var believed the SB-19 was responsible for this and blamed the Federation for forcing them to initialise the project. It was this chain of events that led to Ni'Var leaving the Federation around a century ago. (DIS: Unification III)

Overview

They were known to be distantly related to the Vulcans. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) It was for this reason that the Romulan's and Vulcan's shared a common physiology. (DS9: Image in the Sand) It was believed that the two races were virtually identical on a medical level. Tuvan Syndrome was a condition that afflicted this Vulcanoid race with sufferers being afflicted with a neurological disease that was degenerative and incurable. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges) Some Romulans had two brow ridges above the bridge of their nose, forming a V-shape on the forehead, while other Romulans lacked these ridges, making them outwardly indistinguishable from Vulcans. Ridges were a trait associated with Northerners. (PIC: The End is the Beginning)

Romulan belief in their own superiority was to such as an extent that it was beyond arrogance. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) Their people were noted to hold a well deserved reputation for their arrogance. (DS9: Image in the Sand) Klingons considered them to be an arrogant and untrustworthy people. (DS9: Tears of the Prophets)

As a people, Romulans were said to be creatures of extremes as they could be one moment violent beyond description yet the next moment tender and intensely curious. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) Romulans lacked the rigorous mental disciplines developed by the followers of Surak. (TOS: The Enterprise Incident) It was claimed that the Romulan's did not believe in luck. (DS9: Tears of the Prophets) Some claimed that they were an unimaginative people who could be an implacable foe. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges) Vulcan's and Romulan's shared a mutual distrust of one another. (DS9: Image in the Sand) Romulans did not initiate anything as they waited to see their opponent to commit themselves first. (TNG: The Neutral Zone) It was said that the Romulans loved drama with secrets being an aspect that was prevalent within their society. (PIC: Maps and Legends) Romulans were said to have two names with one they gave to outsiders and family whilst they had a true name which they gave to those they gave their heart to when they confessed their love. (PIC: The Impossible Box)

Romulans practiced the death penalty on criminals by means both painful and unpleasant. Prior to the presenting of the charges, the Romulans allowed the accused a Right of Statement. (TOS: The Enterprise Incident)

Traditional Romulan houses were always said to have a false front door that was never used. (PIC: The End is the Beginning)

A noted ritual was the Zhal Makh that was a traditional practice that was taboo to non-Romulans. It involved a practitioner being within a meditation chamber to conduct the rite. The Zhal Makh was said to be a journey that started with the closing of the eyes which began with the Yut Makh (Closing). This involved a journey into the mind's most intimate space where the deepest truths were hidden. The next step was the Lu Shiar (Lifting the Eyes) and then the Qlam Wath (The Unfolding) until the practitioner reached the Vri Glam (The Center). A key aspect of the Zhal Makh was remaining in control of the journey into the mind. (PIC: The Impossible Box)

After the destruction of their homeworlds, a group called the Romulan Rebirth movement formed that sought a return to power. (PIC: Absolute Candor)

One organization within their society was the Qowat Milat that were an all-female order of warrior-nuns. They were among the most skilled single-combat fighters known with them being trained in the use of the tan qalanq blade. Its adherents believed in the Way of Absolute Candor whose primary teaching was total communication of emotion without any filter between thought or run. Such a view ran counter to Romulan thinking as the Qowat Milat only spoke the truth with them also seeing promises as a prison that bound them. It was said that the order were fierce enemies of the Tal Shiar. As warriors, they were known to offer their services as qalankhan freeblades who provided protection to others under their charge. However, they did not take payment for such service but instead an individual had to petition one of the Qowat Milat in order to enlist them to their cause. This included complete honesty on their reason for taking on the freeblade with one of the primary requirements being that it was a hopeless cause. Only women were trained by the order and given a rank within their organization. In some cases, males could be taken in by the order and even trained in their techniques but were not acknowledged as one of the Qowat Milat. (PIC: Absolute Candor)

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)

Ancient Romulans believed in a day of reckoning called the Ganmadan which was said to be the Day of Annihilation. It was said that in this time the Seb-Cheneb would arise as the Destroyer to bring about the end of days. (PIC: Absolute Candor) This time would see two demonic khalagu sisters release more of their kind known as the ch'khalagu who would bring about the end of all existence and usher in the Thousand Days of Pain. (PIC: Et in Arcadia Ego)

However, while the military played an important role in Romulan society, it was the Romulan Senate that controlled the government. (Movie: Star Trek Nemesis)

According to Worf, Romulans tried to claim as territory all that was in their field of vision. (TNG: Tin Man)

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)

Their methods of forensic molecular reconstruction were noted for being illegal within the Federation. (PIC: Maps and Legends)

Romulan disruptors were said to lack a disruptor setting. (PIC: The End is the Beginning)

Members

• Kimara Cretak : a female Romulan senator who served as the liaison between her empire and the Federation alliance against the Dominion who was assigned to Deep Space 9 where she cultivated a good working relationship with Admiral Ross. (DS9: Image in the Sand)
• Neral : a male Romulan who around 25 years ago had his immediate family killed in a Klingon raid. He eventually became the former Proconsul but later Praetor of the Star Empire with his ascension confirmed by the Continuing Committee. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges)
• Koval : a male Romulan who was the Chairman of the Tal Shiar. (DS9: Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges)
• Tomalak : a male Romulan commander. (TNG: The Enemy)
• Bochra : male Romulan Centurion. (TNG: The Enemy)
• Valdore :
• Vrax :
• Donatra :
• Laris : (PIC: Maps and Legends)
• Zhaban :
• Ramdha : a dark haired female who was an expert in ancient Romulan myth with her being assimilated by a Borg Cube. (PIC: The End is the Beginning) She was the aunt of Narissa and Narek where she inducted them into the Zhat Vash where she was almost driven insane from the Admonition. (PIC: Broken Pieces)
• Elnor : a dark haired male who lived in the time after the Hobus supernova where as a boy he was evacuated to Vashti. Without parents, he was taken in by the Qowat Milat and became friends with Admiral Picard with the human intending to find a home for him. However, after the synth attack on Mars, Starfleet pulled out of the evacuation efforts and the boy was left behind with the Qowat Milat who trained him in their ways though he was not recognised as one of their number when he became an adult. (PIC: Absolute Candor)
• Oh : a dark haired half-Vulcan who was a General and headed the Zhat Vash where she intended to complete the secret society's crusade against synthetic life. She came to infiltrate Starfleet where she masqueraded as a Vulcan Commodore and head of Starfleet Security. (PIC: Et in Arcadia Ego)
• Narissa :
• Narek :
• N'Raj : a male elder from the 32nd century who was a citizen of Ni'Var after the merger between the Romulans and VUlcans where he supported greater self-governance for his people. (DIS: Unification III)

Notes

• The Romulans were introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series in the episode "The Balance of Terror".
• In an interview, showrunner Michael Chabon commented on the difference between Romulan foreheads where he stated, "If you are referring to the forehead ridges, they are a facial feature common to the inhabitants of the northern hemisphere of Romulus. Denizens of the Southern Hemisphere have smooth foreheads. There is an entire, quite scabrous vocabulary of mutual insult in the Romulan language based around this anatomical divergence."

Alternate Versions

• In the Mirror Universe, an alternate reality version of the Romulans appeared in this reality.
• In Kelvinerse, an alternate splinter timeline was created when the Romulan named Nero journeyed back through time to the mid-23rd century.

In other media

Video games

• In Star Trek: Elite Force II, Romulans appeared as antagonists in the setting of the first-person shooter video game. They were shown as being a dissident movement known as the Empty Crown who sought to take over leadership of the Romulan Star Empire.
• In Star Trek Online, Romulans were playable characters in the setting of the MMORPG video game with players able to select one as part of the Romulan Republic faction.

Novels

• In Star Trek: Rihannsu, the Romulans featured in the setting of the Pocket Books shared setting written by Diane Duane. It states that the Romulan name for their own people was the Rihannsu.

Appearances

• Star Trek: The Original Series: "Balance of Terror"
• Star Trek: The Next Generation:
• Star Trek: Deep Space 9: "Image in the Sand"
• Star Trek: Voyager:
• Star Trek: Enterprise:
• Star Trek: Picard:
• Star Trek: Discovery:

External Links

• Star Trek Database Article]
• Memory Alpha Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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