Romulan

The Romulans are biological cousins of Vulcans, and descended from those who rejected Surak's reforms during the Time of Awakening. The Romulan Star Empire is the Romulan state and one of the major powers in known space.

## Physiology

Like Vulcans, Romulans have pointed ears, eyebrows that are arched and upswept, and copper-based blood that is green when oxygenated in the arteries and is copper or rust colored when deoxygenated in the veins. Most Romulans have two brow ridges above the bridge of their nose, forming a V-shape on the forehead. However a minority of Romulans lack the ridges, making them outwardly indistinguishable from Vulcans.

Despite their common ancestry there are also many subtle internal physiological differences between Vulcans and Romulans.

They are a passionate people, easily moved to extreme emotions. They possess the innate touch telepathic abilities of their Vulcan ancestors but have not developed them, as Romulan culture values privacy and disdains telepaths. Romulans can feel strong emotion when touching others, though they have no control over this ability, which is why physical contact is frowned upon among Romulans with the exception of family or other loved ones.

There have been numerous instances of Romulans successfully mating with other species.

While Vulcans possess much greater physical strength than most humanoids, Romulans are only slightly stronger stronger than normal humans, due to their continuing evolution in the Earth-like gravity of Romulus.

## Society

In Romulan society, military/political rank influences social standing. Because Romulans are members of a militant civilization, who consider defending the Romulan Empire and their own personal honor of foremost importance, military service and its accompanying rank are decisive factors in determining social eminence. However, while the military plays an important role in Romulan society, it is the Romulan Senate that controls the government.

The current highest Romulan rank is that of the Praetor, who presides over the Romulan Senate. The Praetor heads the Continuing Committee, which is comprised of high-ranking Senators and other elite individuals. The Continuing Committee runs the daily affairs of the Empire, while the Senate establishes laws and policies. The Emperor or Empress serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role.

By the 24th century, the Romulans were dependent upon the Tal'Shiar, the Romulan Secret Police, to maintain order and stability among both civilians and the military. The Tal'Shiar is known for its brutal tactics, which include routine kidnapping, torture and assassination. Many Romulans fear even expressing dissenting opinions as to not spark the interest of the Tal'Shiar. There is also some degree of tension between the military and the Tal'Shiar.

Romulan society is based upon a highly structured caste system. Unlike most of the highly evolved species in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, Romulans still practice slavery, and frequently use conquered races for forced slave labor and shock troops.

Romulans tend to be highly xenophobic, engaging in extended periods of isolationism, and can be perceived as outright racist to other species, believing themselves to be superior. At least some Romulans believe that one day the Romulan Empire will rule the entire galaxy.

Romulan society does not appear to be gender biased. Both males and females command warships, can obtain high political positions and can be members of the Tal'Shiar.

## Culture and Tradition

Like the Vulcans, the Romulans have surrendered unrestrained violence as a way of life. This has been replaced with a complicated set of social and cultural rules that govern their actions. As a species, the Romulans are generally thought of as duplicitous and untrustworthy by outsiders.

Romulans practiced the execution of state criminals, by means both painful and unpleasant. Prior to the presenting of the charges, the Romulans allow the accused a Right of Statement.

Reluctance to rely on overt hostility generally leads the Romulans to play a waiting game with their opponents, attempting to manipulate an adversary into breaking - or appearing to break - an agreement so as to give them a solid justification for striking.

They are also well known for fearing disgrace over death, the same way Klingons do. With this frame of mind, Romulan parents dispose of any newborn infants carrying birth defects as the alternative would mean a waste of resources.

The totalitarian nature of Romulan society, in which dissent is often a crime and Tal'Shiar agents masquerade as citizens, has led many Romulans to be extremely paranoid.

In the 24th century, a dissident movement began to gain momentum, based on the desire to learn about Vulcan and Vulcan ideals. Their ultimate goal was the reunification of the Romulans and Vulcans. Ambassador Spock was deeply involved in this movement. The movement was eventually crushed on Romulus itself, and many of its followers took refuge on a remote colony world, where they established a separatist government in the early 25th century and declared independence as the Democratic Romulan Republic. The Empire has refused to recognize the declaration and considers the Republic as rebels. A civil war has ensued, though neither side has managed to gain the upper hand.

In keeping with their isolationist tendencies, there are few Romulan mercenaries, soldiers of fortune, bounty hunters, or other similar roles. While many arguably belligerent and militaristic species, such as Nausicaans, Breen, and even Klingons often sell their fighting skills to the highest bidder, Romulans are rarely, if ever, seen involved in such activities. This is due to the superiority complex of most Romulans, many of whom would likely find such work beneath them and would prefer to serve the Romulan Empire in some capacity. Romulans also seem to be somewhat indifferent to simple financial and material gain, and tend to find the idea of serving the Empire more appealing. They are, however, known for commonly using hired assassins.