Romulans

The Romulan people are closely related to Vulcans, having split off from their cousins many eons ago. Physiologically they are remarkably similar as well. However, Romulans lack the vestigal eyelid that protects the Vulcan eyes from their blazing hot sun and aren't quite as strong.

Romulus

Anomaly TrekMUX bases it's concept of the Romulans on LUG's Way of D'era. Many players who have played a Romulan character or are otherwise familiar with Romulans, are more accustomed to Diane Duane's Rihannsu concept. For those familiar with the Rihannsu, think of the Way of D'era as being very similar to the Rihannsu concept of Mnhei'sahe. The largest difference in the two views is in the concept of honor and duty. Where Rihannsu Mnhei'sahe centers on personal honor and 'saving face' as some put it, the Way of D'era centers on duty to the Empire. It rules the Romulan way of life from birth until death.

Culture

The Way of D'era is the Romulan guide to life. It determines how Romulans relate to each other, work together, and view other races. It is the basis behind their military and governmental structure. And it is their religion. It can be described as 'A Psychological Urge'. D'era came about as a response to Surak's teachings on Vulcan, before the Time of Awakening. The philosophy was born and spread through Tellus, a Vulcan who denied Surak's message of of peace through emotionless logic. D'era translated, means "Endless Sky". It is based on the violent history of Vulcan and it's religious myths. According to D'era, the Vulcan people were created by an ancient species, the Vhorani, at Vorta Vor. The children of the Vhorani (the Vulcans) were placed on Vulcan because it's harsh environment would temper the Vulcans, through adversity and war, to prepare them for their destiny.

Tellus believed that the Vulcans had been destined by the Vhorani to be the caretakers of the Universe, and that the people could only become strong enough to fulfill this role through constant struggle. In this way, he justified Vulcan's past of violence and war, and those who believed in his philosophy came together and left Vulcan, to become today's Romulans. This belief in a higher destiny, that they were destined to become the Universe's caretakers, is the basis behind the Romulan arrogance toward other races. The Way of D'era teaches that as the Children of the Vhorani, it is their right to rule the weaker species, their destiny to rule the stars. All other species are therefore inferior to Romulans, hence the arrogance. D'era, however, is more than just a philosophy defining Romulan destiny. It is also obedience to a higher cause, which has become the Romulan Star Empire. D'era defines the sense of obedience and discipline that keeps Romulans from fighting each other, and unifies them as a people under the Empire. It embodies concepts of loyalty, obedience and discipline that all Romulans are taught from birth.

It is easy for Romulan leaders to demand such loyalty and obedience. The people do not deliver such out of fear, but out of their own desire to fulfill destiny, an inborn need to follow the Way of D'era. For this reason, it is rare for a Romulan to actively defy an order of a superior. This is not to say that Romulans do not share the concept of honor. Unlike Klingons, honor for a Romulan is not built from a warrior like bravado; it is a reflection of accomplishment on all levels; familial, personal and imperial. For this reason, Romulan families who have risen to power and prosperity through service to the Empire, are families of great honor, and that prestige is passed on through generations. This makes it even more imperative upon each generation to not only maintain that honor, but to further it through their own service to the Empire.

There are four concepts behind the path of D'era, called Virtues of the Way, that are taught to every Romulan from birth. These Virtues are Devotion, Allegiance, Discipline, and Fidelity.

DEVOTION is loyalty to the family, which is what strengthens and unifies families under the Empire. It is also loyalty to the state and the Empire, willingness to obey the law, serve faithfully, and practice patriotism.

ALLEGIANCE is the basis for all imperial justice. Allegiance also deals with truth in all things - payment of debt, keeping sworn oaths, the performance of duties required by contracts. Allegiance serves as a foundation for much of Romulan public and private life. Breaking a sworn allegiance is considered a violation against Romulan society itself, not just a violation of another's rights.

DISCIPLINE is a supplement to Allegiance. It represents absolute self-control and self-possession and a dignified attitude toward life. An individual creates their own destiny, they do not find it through luck or happenstance.

 FIDELITY is also a component of Allegiance. It represents perseverance and unswerving focus under any circumstances, and serves to guide Romulans in everyday life. It means doing whatever is necessary and right to win success. Where some species would feel that a Romulan's methods in gaining an edge to be sneaky, cruel, or dishonorable; for the Romulan it is simply a necessity or what has to be done.

D'era is a religion that is less concerned with personal spiritual growth than with the growth of the Romulan Empire. What benefits the Empire will naturally benefit it's citizens, and in this way both citizens and the Empire serve and support each other. The religious aspects are dominated by a series of 'Praxani', or Rites of Transition. These rites define various stages of allegiance to D'era and the Empire. It is through the Praxani that Romulan citizens affirm and reaffirm their devotion to the Romulan Star Empire. Four of these Rites are pivotal in the life of a Romulan, and in the development of a player's character background. The first of these is the NIMAZ, or naming. This is a ceremony preformed within a week of a child's birth. Romulan's name their children after other prominent Romulan citizens. Either a hero, a revered ancestor, or some other prominent Romulan figure. It is a small, private ceremony that affirms a newborn's purpose within the Empire, and the child is raised to be aware of his future obligations.

Names are chosen very carefully, and children learn very early who's footsteps they are expected to follow. Next, is the PYLANAZI, or citizenship Rite. This ceremony takes place at the age of 20, when a Romulan youth is on the verge of adulthood. It is through the Pylanazi that a Romulan affirms their allegiance to the Romulan Star Empire and becomes a citizen. Unlike the privacy of the Nimaz, this is a very celebrated ceremony; entire communities come together every year to induct new generations of citizens into the Empire, and family gatherings often follow where the inductee is given symbolic gifts from older family members. SERONA is the warriorship Rite. Romulan adults must pledge service to the Romulan military through the Serona by the age of 30. The Serona is a formal requirement of all Romulan citizens; to ignore it is dissident treason. The ceremony does not have to be a public one, however, though many of the more proud and traditional Romulans prefer a public, traditional Serona, where personal feats of strength and endurance are emphasized to prove that the citizen is a worthy descendent of Romulan heroes. Service in the Romulan military is a five-year requirement.

Most Romulans retire after their five-year term. Others remain in the military either out of a greater sense of duty, or for adventure and/or career advancement. The fourth Rite is the SO'RDAZ, or Union. This is the Romulan marriage. Naturally, the Romulan family is a revered institution. A good Romulan family teaches it's children the virtues of D'era and creates more loyal citizens to serve the Empire. The So'rdaz is a joyous celebration that represents the merger of two units to become one greater unit. Infidelity is highly frowned upon in Romulan society. A citizen who demonstrates infidelity to their spouse indicates a predisposition toward disloyalty to the Empire, and is considered capable of treason.

There is one other ceremony that deserves a quick mention, and that is the CHAROZZAH, or passing. A Romulan's death is a somber occasion. Romulans believe that when they die, their spirit enters the cosmos and becomes one with those who have passed before them, and is cause for celebration. Yet there is also sadness at the passing of a loved one. Funerals are broken into two components; the burial, where the person is physically reunited with Romulan soil, and the Charozzah, which is a commemoration of the spirit. It is a ten-day ritual observed by all members of the immediate family, where they recount events of import in the deceased family member's life. A Romulan traitor or any other criminal against the Empire is denied the Charozzah. His body is cremated and his belongings destroyed. There is no retelling of events or any formal remembrance. In essence, the person is considered never to have existed.

Names

Some example Romulan names are provided below:

Male Names: K'net-Mauri, Sukhar, Pardek

Female Names: Mirell, Mekara, S'Veralis

Proverbs