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Introduction
This page is an attempt to provide a guide for players new to playing Romulans. It is important to note that the following information is to serve as a generalized guideline to the status quo of Romulan culture and society here on ATS. By no way does this forcefully bind you to all of the beliefs described below, however is meant to serve as an aid to role play.
Romulans on ATS are, culturally, based on the Romulans of Diane Duane's Rihannsu series of novels. As such, they are a complex people, honourable and passionate.
Names
Romulan names may appear complicated at first, but in reality they are very simple. Every Romulan has at least three names: the first name, the second name and the third name.
First Name
The first name is the name given to a child by her parents, much like amongst humans. The first step in creating a Romulan character, after deciding on gender, is to choose a name.
Here are a few examples of Romulan first names; in brackets is the English meaning, where available:
- Male
Aekhifv (pain), Ahrm'n, Amin, Courhig, Ddoya, Deletham (defender), Dhiemn, Dis, Ejiul, Eveh, Ffairrl, Firh, Galan (seeker), Giellun, Gielo, Gurrhim, Hanaj, Hatham (predator), Havraha (voyager), H'daen, Hexce, Hhirl, Hhvaeh, Hvaid, Hvirr, Imin, Kalabam (storm), Kerih, Khaiell (atmosphere), Khoal, Khiy, Lai, Lhaerrh, Lhaesl, Llhran, Maec (tradition-keeper), Mahan, Maiek, Maiell, Mandukar (vigilant), Merik, Niysa, Nnerhin, Nniol, Nveid, Serinn, S'Harien, S'Talon, S'Tarleya, Stelam (star), S'ten (brave), S'Tokkr, Sulleen, Taev (humorous), Teleb, Terph, Terrh (darkness), Tmaekh (hot-headed), Vaebn (sneaky one), Urellh, Yhea (agile), Vrih (one who excels), Wraet.
- Female
Ael (wing), Aidoann (Moon), Ariennye (hell), Arrenhe (skilled), Arrhae (worth-in-cash), Dhael (bird), Ekkhae, Emmiad, Emni, Eviess, Felaen, Hannam (message), Hloal, Hwiamna, Jaeih (Element of Air), Jisit, Kul, Lais, Latta (death), Llaiir (flame), Llunih, Mheven, Mijne, Mirrstul, Mnheia (ruler), N'alae, Nuhir (favourable), Odirne, Rhean, Rrolsh, Saeihr (star), S'anra, Sienae (talon), Sindari (swarm), Ssaedhe (steadfast), Teelis (song), T'Eleijha, Thue, Tuhellen, Ussi, Verelan (graceful), Vriha (one who excels).
Second Name
The second name is what is usually found to be most complicated, but in fact is rather simple. It simply indicates where a person was born, using the prefix i- for a city or ir- for a province, region or district. Here are a few examples of possible second names; in brackets is the planet on which the city or region is located. Use that as a guide to help you choose - most members of a hfihar will usually be from the same planet, though not always.
i-Mnaeha (ch'Rihan), i-Iuruth (ch'Rihan), i-i'Ramnau (ch'Rihan), ir-Gal Gath'thong (ch'Rihan), i-Del, i-Theijhoi (ch'Havran), i-Eihriss (Nelvana III), i-Steilalvh (ch'Havran), i-Memmesh, ir-Davast, i-Tharawe, i-D'hannam (ch'Nahir), ir-Elheu, ir-Nn'verih (ch'Havran), i-Kh'reitekh, i-Rhehiv'je (ch'Rihan), i-Latasalaem (Marion III), ir-Kihai (ch'Havran), ir-Fethraie (ch'Nahir), ir-Harthlei, ir-Korthre, i-Ra'tleihfi (ch'Rihan), i-Ihhliae (ch'Rihan), ir-Ihhliae (ch'Rihan), i-Mhiessan (ch'Rihan), ir-Aihai (ch'Rihan).
Third Name
The third name is similar to a Terran surname: it is taken from the name of the person's hfihar, with the prefix t' for females or tr' for males. For example, a female member of hfihar Radaik would be t'Radaik, while a male member of hfihar Khellian would be tr'Khellian
For more information about Romulan names, please visit Catoena ih'Swaet Doaege Rihanai
Hfihrnn (House-Clans)
The hfihar (plural: hfihrnn) is the basic unit of Romulan family life. Every Rihanha is a member of a hfihar, and their hfihar is their family.
Hfihrnn are large: not every member of a hfihar is related to another, and they are often very spread out. Marriage between members of the same hfihar is not uncommon, so long as they are not close blood-relatives.
On ATS, there are four hfihrrn available to player-characters, and several NPC hfihrnn, as well; if playerbase grows large enough, the NPC houses may become available to PCs. When choosing a hfihar, be sure to read the background information provided on them, and choose a hfihar which would best suit your character.
PC Hfihrnn
NPC Hfihrnn
Interpersonal Etiquette
Etiquette is of paramount importance in Romulan society. Everyone has a position in the social hierarchy, and everyone is expected to know it and comport themselves accordingly. There are many nuances to etiquette that is very dissimilar to many other cultures. Titles, rank and general ways one would refer to another Romulan can be tricky as it can change simply based off of the location and context of the conversation.
For example, a house member in the Galae could be serving aboard a ship with a superior officer who also happens to be their house's hru'Hfirh. That superior, depending on the situation, could be referred to by either their Galae rank, hru'Hfirh or even rian (cousin). If one were speaking to that superior while serving Galae duty it is proper to refer to them as their rank or Galae title. If you were speaking to them formally outside of Galae service their title within the house would be appropriate, and lastly if you were speaking privately behind closed doors or in a very informal environment it might depending on how the superior referred to you, be acceptable to refer to them affectionately as one's rian.
Also and of most important note, first names are almost never used publicly. A Romulan's first name is reserved for very close family, close friends and lovers and generally even in those cases only behind closed doors.
Below are some resources to to supplement role play
Culture
"Certain it is and sure: love burns, ale burns, fire burns, and politics burns. But cold were life without them. -- Romulan Proverb
As briefly mentioned before, Romulans culturally hold things like honour, passion, pride and ambition in high regard. The Romulan race is a very proud and accomplished race, holding their Empire in the highest regards, believing themselves to be the most accomplished and perfect Empire in the Universe.
Romulans are also exceptionally untrusting and unwelcoming to outsiders. They eagerly defend their borders or really anything that is theirs. Romulans also hold deep disdain for 'Yikh' (a derogatory term for any creature of a non-romulan species) and generally only deal with them once they have proven themselves to be of use to the Empire.
Mnhei'sahe
The Mnhei'sahe, or ruling passion is a complex code of honour which rules most of Romulan life.
Religion
Romulan culture is not without religion, however, it is treated as a private matter and aside from declarative statements such as: "Oh Elements, avert it!", "What in the Element's name?", "Elements be thanked!", "Oh Fire & Air & Earth!", "Powers and Elements!", "Elements granting" and so forth, religion is not a greatly discussed topic.
While there is no 'one true religion' of Romulan, many consider the universe to have borderline sentience. Also an Elemental based religion is widely practiced throughout the culture, while the predominant religious belief it is not the sole religion of the Romulan Star Empire.
Family
A typical Romulan family is made up of a mother and a father, with as many children as the parents desire. Each family unit is within a house, and houses as described above can be huge. The family unit does not look to one parent as superior, both the mother and father have equal status. In the cases of children neither gender are particularly favoured over the other.
Divorce and separation are rare with Romulan families, because the bond between husband and wife is extremely deep. Marriage, or bonding, is a life long promise. When a Romulan pair choose to life bond the male joins the female's hfihar as it is a promise or devotion to protect her and her family for life, therefore taking on her house name as his own. In some cases, the female may end up taking on the male's house name in the case that the male is either the hru'Hfirh or erei'Hrifh of his house. Bonding does not require the religious sect, but can be brought in for marriage or even to break or strengthen bonds.
Branches of Service
Most Romulans are driven to be of service to the Shiar below are the various branches of service.
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