The Romulans

In a previous post someone mentioned that a thread about the Romulans might be interesting. So, I figured that I might give it the old college try. The only problem is that over the last few days I have been unable to think of a starting discussion, so I thought that I might let this grow organically by having anyone who is interested to post his thoughts. Be it about the TOS Romulans or TNG or the Rihannsu, whatever. And if it goes over like a lead balloon then I will have to regroup and try another approach at a later date.

In the Praetors Name!

Hmmm...the Romulans...one of the least explored major threats in Star Trek...if only they had been as developed as the Klingons or even the Dominion...sigh...

Well I am in favour of them being a mix of all the resources available from TOS, TNG, DS9, LUG, FASA, and the Star Trek novels...

I thinkall have good ideas but the complete picture needs to be a mix of the lot.

------------------
Aslan Collas
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Star Trek:Strange New Worlds;
http://www.geocities.com/aslan_collas/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ferengi Rule Of Acquisition #76: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.

Okay y'all, remember my promise to be long winded on this subject. Well, here goes...

While exploring this very website, I followed the link to the Vulcan Language Institute. It is distinctly interesting website, though it does suffer from the classic Star Trek fatal flaw of Taking Itself Way Too Seriously.

Anyway, I had always wanted to use some Romulan Language terms for some of the LUG Trek Romulan material, but, of course, very little LUG Trek Romulan language exists. Well, it seemed like a match made in Vorta Vor, so I began looking up Golic Vulcan words on the VLI page, and then "Romulanizing" them.

After thinking about it a little bit, I decided to put my Romulan words through about half a sound shift. The vowels tend to broaden a bit, "i" becoming "e", "e" becoming "a" and so on. Consonents tend to become more fricative or to aspirate, "k" becoming "kh", "b" becoming "v", "v" becoming "vh" or "w", and so forth.

It also tends to follow Aed Rua's special rule: if it sounds cool, ignore the rules!

The result is a swift, fierce sounding language which relates to Golic Vulcan much as Afrikaans relates to modern Dutch. It is a direct, frontier speech, with a few archaic elements preserved also.

I liked it so much, that I started translating a few terms already found in "The Way of D'era" into it also. My only excuse for doing this was for fun, and my justification is Narrator's privilege....

Next post, my short Romulan lexicon!



------------------
Slan agat!

As promised, here is my Romulan lexicon. I want to very clear that none of this is a criticism in any way of the terms in "The Way of D'era". It is just a matter of my creativity working overtime, that's all:

Vatakhsu(lar)......"Romulan(s)", literally means "traditionalists", from Vulcan
ba-tak'su.

Avokhaya t'yallar t'Vatakhsu......"Romulan Star Empire",literally "rule/power/authority over the stars of the traditionalists".

Rom'lashan.......Romulus, translates as "Good Arrival".

Shakhai........Remus, translates as "brother".

To-D'era......"The Way of D'era"

Govham........"Duty", a virtue I figure the Romulans had to have.

Vhonnash......"Loyalty"

Yahtash......."Truth, allegiance"

Nahr........."Discipline"

Larah'ash....."Hardness, fortitude"

Dor..........."Honor, face"

Khaya........."Power, authority, rule, sovereignty", a central concept in Romulan culture.

Vhankhallar........."Ceremonies, rituals", in place of Praxani.

Ahwtor.............."Naming", in place of Nimaz.

Khashan............"Initiation", in place of Pylanzi, and taken from Vulcan Kahs-wan.

Ahkhsutor.........."Warriorship", in place of Serona.

Khonot-sholek........"Betrothal", it just figures that the Romulans would keep an old custom like arranged marriages.

Khonol............."Marriage", in place of So'rdaz, from Vulcan Kun-ul.

Wehro-telkho........."Funeral, wake", in place of Charrozah.

Aurah................"Sacrificial ritual, worship"

Vholagol.............The Praetor, literally, "Leader", from Vulcan Fulag'ul.

Talat..............Senator, literally "honored elder".

Talatsu............The Senate

Vholag'talat..........The Proconsul, literally "lead senator".

Ekhorna vha'talatsu........The Continuing Committee.

Khausu(lar)......Aristocrat(s), noble(s), literally "the powerful".

Govhamsu(lar)......Citizen(s), literally, "the dutiful"

Khansu(lar)........Client races, literally "the childlike".

Akhonfa........Priest/ess, in place of Pontix.

Akhsu.........."Warrior, soldier", unchanged from old Vulcan.

Akhinahru........."Mindlord, psionic warrior", extinct in real Romulan life, but defintely surviving in folklore.

Akhon(lar).......God(s), Goddess(es).

Khatapakh........"The Inner Chorus".

D'era...........Goddess of the Endless Sky.

Khat-chalav......Ket-cheleb

Tal-alap.........Tel-alep

Alap-tal.........Alep-tel

Kher-alap.........Kir-alep

Alap-kher.........Kir-alep

Wal-dana..........Val-dena

Dana-wal..........Dena-val

Khalapton.........Kal-ap-ton

Teraltap..........Tir-al-tep

Khadda............"Soul", from Vulcan katra.

Volkhansu........."Person", from Vulkansu, from which Terrans get Vulcan, as in the race, not the planet.

T'lus............Tellus, no criticism implied, I just wanted the name to sound more "Vulcan".

That's all for now!

------------------
Slan agat!

[This message has been edited by Aedh Rua (edited 03-07-2001).]

Aedh,

Just wanted to say, I think your Romulan glossary is outstanding! Thanks for posting it!

Jim

I really should give credit where it is due. The deities were all created by the people who wrote "Way of Kolinahr". The language is modified from Traditional Golic Vulcan, as found on the Vulcan Language Institute website.

All I did was take other people's ideas and run with them.

------------------
Slan agat!

This has nothing to do with the thread, but I just have to ask what does Aedh Rua and Slan Agat mean? Obviously, from one of your previous posts, it is Irish but what is the significance? http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Aedh Rua is pronounced AY-uh ROO-uh, and means something like "Red Fire". Slan agat means "good health at you", and is the traditional way of saying "bye".

------------------
Slan agat!

Outstanding! Really like what you have done. One question, where did you get the names for the dieities ie.Alep-Tel, of course I am assuming they are dieties never heard of them before if they are not what are they? I would like to know it sounds interesting.

From "The Way of Kolinahr", the LUG Vulcan supplement. The Romulan spheres for these deities (VERY little different from the Vulcan) would be:

D'era: Goddess of the Endless Sky, Supreme Goddess from a cosmic standpoint, Goddess of Fate.

Khat-chalav: God of Anger, War, and Passion. Patron of the Vatakhsu people.

Tal-alap: The Watcher, God of curiosity and wisdom.

Alap-tal: The Bitter, God of cynicism and despair.

Kher-alap: God of prosperity and abundance.

Alap-kher: God of poverty and disease.

Wal-dana: Goddess of joy, beauty, and romantic love.

Dana-wal: Goddess of jealousy and greed.

Khalapton: God of grief and mourning, Lord of the Dead.

Teraltap: God of guilt and shame.

One note: Even given the effort I have devoted to this, please don't think I worship these deities. This stuff is fiction, folks!

The deities I actually worship are all Old Irish, and real.....


------------------
Slan agat!

Never entered my mind. Neat take on the subject though.

Thanks for the quick response.

Figured I'd add my voice to the others. Very nice work. I like the sounds of the words. It'll help a lot if my technically romulan character in a friends game ever meets his people. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Pat

Glad y'all like the Romulan material so much. Permit me to add some more:

Akhsu........Already listed as "Warrior", can also be used as military rank equiv. to LUG Uhlan or "private".

Na'vaiha...........Under-lieutenant

Vaiha.............Lieutenant

Na'khartau'ol.........Subcommander

Khartau'ol............Commander

Tha'khartau'ol.........Centurion, literally "Hundred Commander".

Ashkhar'khartau'ol......General/Admiral, literally "Army Commander".

Ashkhar t'Vatakhsu.......The Romulan Military

Yal'khartaya..............Star Command

Tal Shiar...............We all know what that is. I had to create my own meaning though. The VLI glossary lists Tal Shaya as coming from Talu-shaya, "Neck Breaking". Well this just won't do as a name for the secret police. I made up Tal as meaning roughly "Perfect, flawless". Tal Shaya therefore means "Perfect Breaking". "Shiar" is not related to "Shaya", but rather to "Shar", "security" in Vulcan, which means that Tal Shiar means something like "Perfect security".

Now, back to work.....

------------------
Slan agat!

And a couple more:

Yon..........Fire
Khavh........Blood
Vo...........Me/I
Do...........You
Isha.........He/him
Ikho.........She/her
Ifah.........It
Atakh........We
Dolar........Y'all
Au...........They/them
Yon t'khavh t'vo........."Fire of my blood", a Romulan endearment

------------------
Slan agat!

Some Romulan names for aliens:

Khlen'gansu...........Klingons, I know that one was hard!

T'khase'su...........Vulcans, from T'khasi, another name for the planet Vulcan. I assume that Ti-Vulkain, the LUG name is the current name for Vulcan, and that T'khasi is simply another old name, like Terra for Earth.

Ereth'su............Humans

Khardasha'su.........Cardassians

Vechor'su............Bajorans

Gorsu.............Gorn

Thol'su.............Tholians

Lashoma'su..........Breen, literally "Ice People"

Autha'su...........Othans

Taraya.............Federation (noun)

Taraya'su..........Federation (adjective)

Andor'su...........Andorians

Naushekh'su.........Nausicaans

Torai'su............Taurhai

Zelvhor'su..........Zelvorians

Vharang'su..........Ferengi

Khavah-makhau'su.......Orions, literally "slave merchants"

Meshvhal-ashualar.......Borg, literally "Machine Demons"

Shaudaya-rovah'su............Founders, literally, "Appearance Changers"

------------------
Slan agat!

I hope you don't mind but I'm copying this to word format...it's excellent.

------------------
Know fear...

Copy it, use it, play with it, change it all you like. Just don't try to pass it off as yours, or to sell it.....

If any of you are on a former LUG design team, you can use this material for free, as long as some kind of appropriate credit is given.

This, of course, assumes that you have all been hired by decipher, and will need to write a new Romulan supplement.

------------------
Slan agat!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Aedh Rua:
This, of course, assumes that you have all been hired by decipher, and will need to write a new Romulan supplement.

---

Or expansion!!! http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
Know fear...

An interesting linguistic note: the Romulan noun for "wisdom" is Khau, the verbal form, "to be wise", is Khau-tor. Now, this is very similar to the verb "to rule", an irregular verb which is also Khau, with the noun form Khaya, "power, rule".

Here is where it gets a bit odd. If I understand Golic Vulvan grammar correctly, to words for "the powerful", and "the wise" are both Khau'su. This linguistic coincidence gets me thinking.

While, technically, the verb Khau, and the noun Khau are two different words, it would be hard for Romulans not to get the words, and associated ideas confused in their minds.

It seems likely to me that Romulans identify kowledge and power much more than Humans do, or Vulcans, for that matter, for whom the two words are not quite as similar.

This might explain the famous Romulan arrogance, to some extent. The philosophy of D'era states that the ancient Romulans/Vulcans grew strong in the harsh environment of early Vulcan.

In all likelihood, most Romulans also feel on some unconscious level that they were also made wise, and that their culture is in consequence utterly and totally superior to all others.

Now, the near worship of all ancient traditions which appears to be a feature of Romulan culture, even more than of ancient Vulcan culture, would exacerbate this. The result is that incredible confidence for which the Romulans are famous, and the absolute values for which they are at times respected.

Another brief note (I apologize if this is getting irritating, but I did warn you I could be long-winded on this subject): If one includes the emphasis on Govham, "Duty", as part of D'era along with all the other values in the original LUG books, then I think it becomes clear that D'era is almost as much a modification of the original Vulcan lifestyle as the Way of Surak.

The Way of Surak saved the Vulcans from self destruction by banishing emotion and aggression. The Way of D'era does this by turning that aggression outward, toward galactic conquest, while also chaining it in ancient traditions and forms. The two ways are very different, but both are rival ways of ensuring racial survival.

Enough.....

------------------
Slan agat!

[This message has been edited by Aedh Rua (edited 03-08-2001).]

One thought on the relationship of knowledge and power: "Now we know... and knowing is half the battle!" http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

I had a thought about Aedh Rhua's vocabulary and the Way of D'Era vocabulary. Maybe there are different languages in use in the Star Empire, or different dialects. Aedh Rhua's version, with its roots in ancient Vulcan, might be a kind of "High Romulan", the kind of language used in the Senate and great works of literature. Way of D'Era's words might come from the everyday language used by ordinary citizens.

Just a thought, take it or leave it.

------------------

:) <<<<

LUGTrek isn't really dead. Not as long as we remember it.

An interesting take on the subject Sarge. Makes sense, why wouldn't there be different dialects of the differing languages.

Yep. There should actually be hundreds of dialects on any given planet, even if there's only one main language. They just sort of develope over time.

Pat, semi-multilingual http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/biggrin.gif

In fact if you wanted another "dialect"
you could use the one in the "romulan Way"
Novels by Diane Dwane.



------------------
Doug Odell

WOW!!! I think you are well on yur way to creating a full Romulan Language Dictionary there. Keep up the good work!

I was actually contemplating the merits of combining all three, way of d'era, Aedh Rua's work (with his permission of course) and some of the terms from Romulan Way. Have to wait until I have the time.

Personally, I'd be interested in a sub-discussion about what the heck the Romulan Star Empire was up to in the period 2269-2320 (plus-or-minus)?

Don't tell me "static cold war with the Klingons and the Federation"; also don't start about the Gorn-Romulan hostilities; I've read all the FASA stuff.
Canon Trek simply bypasses all this (mainly 'cause Romulans have never become as popular as the Klingons..which in itself is a vicious circle, and a bummer for us Romulan-fans).

I am curious about what people may have read somewhere..or even what their "take" is on this subject.

One word...Taurhai! They are the main reason the Romulans went into self imposed exile from the rest of the Alpha Quadrant. They needed all their resources to fight the Taurhai and didn't want the rest of the governments to know that there was a Tech. Superior race on the other side of the Empire. They were afraid that the Federation might side with the Taurhai and then they would have a two front war on their hands.

Anything else is pretty much left up to the imagination of the Narrator. At least, until some new source books come out.

Ah yes, the Taurhei. I've seen that name crop up many times on these boards. I've never read the LUG material pertaining to this race/faction? Yup, I know it's bad form to be so ignorant and still post on this forum, but I'd still appreciate an explanation about what these Taurhei dudes are/were.

Would save me the effort of digging up LUG back copies! http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Basically the Romulns met up against a society with a tech level vastly superior to thiers and a decidedly antagonistic bent. Kept them busy for a good while. I would've liked if the Way of D'Era had included a pic of a Taurhai ship. But I'm pickled tink that they put out a boxed set for my favourite Trek race at all. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Pat

Woohoo! Just noticed I went from ensign to lieutenant. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Pat

The Taurhai are like the Federation, except for that Prime Directive thing. They're into peace and love and helping bring your fellow humanoids to a new level of consciousness, except that the Taurhai see their role as bringing their "Enlightenment" to the lesser races. If the opposition doesn't like it, you conquer them and make them accept it.

Manifest Destiny anyone?

They also have starships ("Star Dragons") that make a warbird look like a transport ship! Not to mention the ability to have several of these vessels pop up without warning in Romulan space (they employ "subspace funnel" drives which practically establish mini-wormholes to jump the ship over several parsecs - extremely difficult to spot 'em coming...). They could be a useful ally if the Borg ever come in force, though even a Star Dragon would be no match for a Cube. I'll have to start thinking about getting some SD stats for one put together... assuming Steve isn't putting them into SRM: Romulans already http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif!

------------------
"The more top brass briefings I attend, the more I want to take a phaser to the whole lot of them..."

Captain Matt Hunter, USS Tempest, NCC-81205

Thanks for the info so far, people.
But I need more; if you'll bear with me:

- Is there a timetable to this Taurhei conflict stuff? I.e. in what year did the Taurhei and the Star Empire begin to lock horns? And when did the conflict end (assuming it did end)?

- Where are the Taurhei from? Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-, Delta Quadrant? Other galaxy? What?

- Have any other factions (UFP, Klingons, who knows) become involved with the Taurhei-Romulan conflict?

Thanx in advance,

Actually, I think one could imagine a number of other, more minor conflicts occuring during the period from ca2270 to 2309. I had a campaign that never went anywhere in which the Romulans got to take on a race rather like the K'khree of Traveller fame, that is to say, fanatical, xenophobic herbivores out to rid the universe of predators.

I suspect that this would have a lovely minor conflict, with the Romulans eventually winning, but very few K'khree left. A good chance to show plyers just what interstellar conquest might really be like.

Sort of the Full Metal Jacket of Trek gaming....

------------------
Slan agat!

Oh and they're coreward/trailing of Sol by probably 1000+ ly.

And if that doesn't help then about 2 oclock from sol on a facedown clock perspective.

------------------
'...The Borg have stopped at deck 10...'
'...Deflector Control, no vital systems...'

Not a vital system! What the heck do you think stops the ship going 'poof' every time it goes to warp?

- ST:First Contact; Lt Hawk

You are quite right. With the Romulan expansionism there probably were other conflicts, like others I have often thought how to bring those into my game. I was merely stating conon for the sake of answering his question in the easiest way possible.

Where are you all getting this information? I haven't read anything like what you guys are stating in any of the Core books, or Ver1 of the encyclopedia. Furthermore . . . I noted them on the map in my game (using the dimensions map where they are pinned between the CU and the UFP), but haven't used them at all.

They sound like a fascinating race . . . and maybe in my game, due their location they may attempt to take part of the CU in its weakened state.

But the question still lies . . . where did you all get this information from, cause I didn't by the Rom Box set.

------------------
"See Everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little." -Pope John XXIII

JALU3, if the race you are referring to is the Taurhai, they were introduced in the Romulan box set. All the info about them, as far as I know, is there.

1) The Romulans first encountered the Taurhai in 2309. First contact was rather peaceful, the Taurhai offered info about the Unity (their culture and so forth), the Romulans responded with demands that their borders be respected. The war started in 2313 when the Unity tried to make the Rom.s a "civilized" part of their empire. The Battle of Chi'tan (Taurhai Home) in 2343 spelled victory for the Romulans after they bombarded the planet. In the peace negoiations that followed each side agreed to respect each others borders.

Between 2343-2374 there have been four "Taurhai Offensives".

2) There probably will be some disagreement with the location of Taurhai space, but, I will go with the map from Romulan box set. Sorry, I don't know Core or spinward: The Taurhai are located opposite the Kilingon Empire on the other side of the Beta Quadrant.

3) Not that was mentioned. The reason the Romulans secluded themselves all those years was to hide the fact of the war with the Taurhai. The Rommulans didn't want the other governments to know of their existance. Based on fears that one of the other gov'ts would ally with the Taurhai.

I hope this helps a little. It is complicated to pass on so much info in a compact package, if you can I would suggest you get The Way of D'era box set, it will answer all your questions.

Thanks for the info, Phantom & others.
I'm overhauling an old "Star Trek Chronology" writing project of mine (inspired mainly by the Okuda chronology, which some think is god's gift to earth but which to me always seemed rather simple) and am still deciding which "non-canon" elements will go in the final draft and which won't.
So; though I don't know enough about the Taurhei yet to make up my mind either way, this has helped. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif