About fifty-six years after Surak, the father of Vulcan philosophy, began to teach Vulcans how to suppress their emotions and began leading them towards a society of logic, a large group of thousands of expatriate Vulcans followed their leader, Tellus, on an epic journey across the quadrant. Eventually a wormhole swallowed their fleet, depositing it hundreds of light-years away. They founded a new homeworld there, Rom’lass (in Federation Standard, Romulus). Six hundred years later, the Romulan Senate and Romulan Star Empire have been formed. A few hundred years after that, the Romulan Senate, tired of dealing with powerful emperors, abolishes the position to create an appointed Praetor. The Praetor is leader of the military, but is subject to the Senate. During a period of four years called the Earth-Romulan War, constant conflict between Romulus and Earth erupted. Romulan warships are far deadlier than the Terran counterparts, but they take months to cross the distance to Human space. The war that erupted swings immediately in the Romulan’s favor, but as Earth’s ship production increases, and the Romulan lack of faster-than-light technology ultimately leads to them losing the war. The Cheron Treaty is negotiated via radio signals, and it establishes the Neutral Zoneulus. In Romulan society, military/political rank influences social standing. Because Romulans were members of a militaristic civilization, who considered defending the Romulan Empire and their own personal honor of foremost importance, military service and its accompanying rank were decisive factors in determining social eminence. However, while the military played an important role in Romulan society, it was the Romulan Senate that controlled the government. By the 24th century, the government of Romulus was dependent upon the Tal Shiar, the Romulan secret police, to maintain order and stability among both civilians and the military. The Tal Shiar was known for its brutal tactics, which included routine kidnapping, torture, and assassination. Many Romulans feared even expressing dissenting opinions in order to not bring the attention of the Tal Shiar. There were also indications that tension existed between the military and the Tal Shiar. Both males and females could command warships, obtain high political positions, and could be members of the Tal Shiar. Romulan society was based upon a highly structured caste system. Unlike most of the highly evolved species in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, Romulans still practiced slavery, in this case of the Remans, which they used for slave labor and as shock troops. Romulans tended to be highly xenophobic, engaging in extended periods of isolationism, and could be perceived as outright racist to other species, believing themselves to be superior. At least some Romulans believed that, one day, the Romulan Empire would rule the entire galaxy and that Humans would be extinct. **Personality:** Romulans tend to be passionate yet self- disciplined. They are unusually aggressive and chauvinistic. Many Romulans enjoy duels and blood sports, some of which would be considered cruel and sadistic by Federation standards. They tend to be motivated by betterment of the Empire. **Physical Description:** Romulans are biologically cousins to Vulcans, often with a slight cranial bulge. Their ears have the same point, and their eyebrows have the same distinctive upward slant. Their skin and hair colors have roughly the same range. **Example Names:** Telek Jarok, Morror Dar, Sela Pardek, Taris Gaius. ==== Romulan Species Traits ==== * +2 Strength, +2 Intelligence. * Medium-sized: As Medium-size creatures, Romulan have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size. * Romulan base speed is 30 feet. * **Keen Hearing**: Romulan have especially sharp hearing. They gain a +2 racial bonus to Listen checks. * **Secondary Eyelids**: The anatomy of the Romulan is strange but can be handy. They have secondary, semi-translucent eyelids that can operate as shields against bright light, sand, etc. You have advantage on saving throws against being blinded. * **Complex Anatomy**: Due to their strange anatomy, it can be difficult to give Romulan needed medical attention. Wisdom (Medicine) checks against the player roll with disadvantage unless they are done by a Romulan. * **Emotional Harmony**: The Romulans are masters of their minds, or so they claim. They have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and frightened. * Automatic Language: Romulan and Federation Standard.