Editing Romulan Star Empire

[[Image:Romulan_Logo-New.jpg|thumb|right|New Romulan Emblem]]
=General=
Historical and genetic evidence shows that the Romulans are descended from a rebel [[Vulcan]] colony.  But unlike the logic-dominated and pacifist [[Vulcan|Vulcans]], [[Romulan|Romulans]] have remained a very passionate and aggressive people.  

The Romulan Star Empire actually has two homeworlds, [[Romulus]] and [[Remus]].  While scarcely any information exists regarding [[Remus]], a little more in known about [[Romulus]].  The few outsiders to have been there describe it as a world of awesome beauty.  These planets are thought to have been founded approximately 2,000 years ago, and existed at least as early as 2152, when it made first contact with [[Earth|United Earth]]. The Romulan Star Empire is well known for its xenophobic and expansionist policies.

They continually seek to expand their share of space by whatever means necessary.  This ethic has often been taken to extreme lengths by the brutal [[Romulan Tal Shiar|Tal Shiar]] – the much-feared intelligence wing of the empire.

=The Empire=
[[Image:Romulan-space-map2.jpg|thumb|left|Known Romulan Space]]
The Romulan Star Empire has expanded largely through the conquest of its neighbours.  Fallen worlds are ruled with an iron fist, with local governments under absolute control of the [[Romulan]] overseers.  And while the [[Romulan|Romulans]] possess strong emotions, they seem to be utterly devoid of any empathy for those they subjugate.  But for all these excesses, [[Romulan|Romulans]] are still considered to be a highly honourable people.

First encountered by [[Starfleet]] in a battle that took place two centuries ago, the[[Romulan|Romulans]] have continued to be a persistent thorn in the side of the [[Federation]].

After a brief and bitter war with [[Earth]] forces in 2160, the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]] was established as a one-light-year-wide buffer zone separating  [[Federation]] and [[Romulan]] territory.  Starships from either side crossing over the zone, or even venturing into it, risk causing an official act of war.

While there are occasional incursions, the [[Romulan Neutral Zone|Neutral Zone]] remained secure for decades – until a [[Romulan]] ship crossed it in 2266 as a test of [[Federation]] resolve.

=Space Alliances=
[[Image:Romulan_Logo-Old.jpg|thumb|right|Old Romulan Emblem]]
[[Romulan|Romulans]]  pride themselves on their intellect, and this may have contributed to dissolution of their short alliance with the [[Klingon Empire|Klingons]] in the 2260’s, whom they consider too barbaric to be trusted.

However, this alliance does result in an exchange of technology that benefits both races – particularly the [[Klingon Empire|Klingons]], who obtain basic cloaking technology from their short-term allies.  The origins of the [[Klingon]] Bird-of-Prey can also be traced back to these times.

In 2311, the [[Romulan|Romulans]] kill thousands of [[Federation]] citizens in the Tomed Incident.  After this, the [[Treaty of Algeron]] is drawn up which reaffirms the [[Romulan Neutral Zone|Neutral Zone]], and ushers in a period of [[Romulan]] isolation.

Unintentionally, the [[Romulan|Romulans]] play a pivotal role in a major peace initiative after they make a brutal attack on the [[Klingon]] outpost of [[Narendra III]] in 2344.  The [[USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C]] responds to distress calls from the colony and tries to help the besieged Klingons.  Although the USS Enterprise is reported lost in the battle, the heroism of the ship’s crew so impresses the [[Klingon|Klingons]] that the incident leads to closer [[Federation]]-[[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] ties.

==Out of the Shadows==
The period of [[Romulan]] isolation ends in 2364, in response to fears of aggressive activity by the dreaded [[Borg]].

It does not take the [[Romulan|Romulans]] long to return to their scheming plans which, in 2368, include a plot to conquer [[Vulcan]].

Becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the [[Federation]]-[[Klingon Empire|Klingon]] alliance and fearing the combined power as a threat, the [[Romulan|Romulans]] attempt to undermine the peaceful co-existence of the two interstellar superpowers in the late 2360’s.  But their efforts prove unsuccessful, and it is left to other forces to create a truly serious rift between  the [[Federation]] and the [[Klingon|Klingons]].

=More Recently=
[[Image:Shinzon.jpg|thumb|left|Shinzon on the Romulan Seat of Power]]
Since the death of [[Romulan Praetor|Praetor]] Shinzon, and the fall of the [[Romulan Tal Shiar|Tal Shiar]], the empire has endured a dark period of time as it rebuilt its economy and intelligence division to its once proud status.

During the [[Federation Civil War]], the Romulans did not officially declare if they stood with [[Robert LoDona|LoDona]] or [[Admiral Doenitz|Doentiz]], however they came close to declaring hostilities with the Federation ([[52nd Fleet]]) after an invasion of the [[USS Nimitz]] by the [[IRV Red Claw]].

==[[Tribuo Senatus: A Senate Divided|Tribuo Senatus]]==
On Stardate 2407.12.28, the [[Romulan Senate]] decided to attempt to re-open negotiations with the [[Federation]] following the end of the civil war.  With their military might returned to what it once was, and the Tal Shiar back to full operation, the empire stands in a good position of power, with some parties rallying for a war with the now weakened Federation, yet the [[Romulan Praetor|Praetor]] insisted that peace with the Federation was the best choice.  Managing to silence the dissident members of the Senate temporarily, the Romulan Homeworld guardedly opened its arms to the [[USS Hades]] and its crew as talk commenced.

==[[The Nelvana Incident]]==
The modification made to the [[Treaty of Algeron]] in 2407 seemed to be for long, but the situation changed drastically since. Praetor Vrih, who was the main actor behind the signing of the modified version of the [[Treaty of Algeron]] saw his political support decrease significantly. The military, followed by the [[Romulan Senate]] soon condamned the modified treaty, since it was making too many concessions to the Federation as, for example, confirming the right of the Federation to use cloaking devices. Losing the confidence of the Senate and Military, Vrih was replaced at the end of 2407 by praetor [[Severan]], bringing a new mentality to the Romulan Empire, one more aggressive and more willing to bring the Romulan Empire to its previous level of prosperity both economically and militarily. Furthermore, in the last eight years, the latest discoveries on the [[Subspace River]] considerably changed the circumstances in the Empire and its neighbor. Border protection has become a real issue and the [[Treaty of Algeron]] did not had specific closes to solve those issues. Therefore, the Romulan Empire (and many other factions) are now hoping for a new treaty. On Stardate 2414.10.??, the Romulan Empire and the Federation has agreed to have a first diplomatic talk, being hold in the Neutral Zone over Nelvana III. Five Federation ships and five Romulan ships are to attend the talks. The subjects of the talks would be related to Federation's cloaking device, the [[Subspace River]] and some specific cooperative projects. This talk, if successful, could lead to several others that could significantly improve the two factions relations and cooperation, if it is really what the Romulan hopes from these talks. 

{{Romulan Database}}

[[Category:Database]]