Writing for Romulans

lincolninspace

I just published my second mission, called parallels for fed aligned Romulans. One reviewer suggested the mission is not Romulans enough. I was wondering what advice you can give me for writing Romulans Republic players? I know Romulans are very passionate people, who think strategically and with cunning. but the republic is a democracy and the Romulans of the republic are cut from a different cloth as the ones that serve the empire.

paxfederatica

For my Valley of the Shadow trilogy I tried to write them basically as humans but with somewhat heightened emotions. They're still professional and (usually) don't make rash decisions due to those emotions, and they're not paranoid backstabbers like their Imperial counterparts. Their passions don't become real problems unless/until they coalesce into specific goals and objectives; then they can become maybe too single-minded for their own good.​​

kinaenov

Have you read the Rihannsu trilogy by Diane Duane? Since the Romulan Republic is (at least loosely) based on her writing, I think you could get some really good inspiration... but in the end, unfortunately, a lot of people don't have any other view of Romulans than what they've seen on TNG and DS9, and will view any missions in that light.

guljarol

lincolninspace wrote: »

but the republic is a democracy and the Romulans of the republic are cut from a different cloth as the ones that serve the empire.

I can't say I agree with that. The political system they live has changed, but not the people. You may want to take a look at Romulans who are not "blind servants of the Empire" (like Tomalak), so to speak: the TOS Commander (Mark Lenard), Commander Toreth, Subcommander N'Vek, Centurion Bochra, Admiral Jarok, a few civilians from "Unification" episodes, to a degree Subcommander T'Rul. They're more than emotional humans with pointy ears

ETA: I just thought of adding Senator Cretak to that bunch (the first actress portrayal, especially). Vreenak much less ​​

azurianstar

I wouldn't trust in a single player's feedback, because they very well could be the one that's wrong. All I can say is watch the Romulan Episodes and study them for their protrayal of Imperial Romulans. Also if you can find movies about Romans, Roman Senators are typically protrayed with this characterisation. Stern, proud, and arrogant.

But with Republic Romulans, just look at how they protray D'Tan. Friendly and polite, but a strong will. But I wouldn't think of them as cunning, I think that of the Imperials. The Republic is more like resourceful. In a way you can compare Rebels vs Imperials in Star Wars.

lincolninspace

I agree with azurianstar. D'tan is composed and a true diplomat despite being an emotional Romulans. I don't think there is to much I will change, except maybe adding a little more optional dialogue. For this mission I had to decide what the Republic would do when encountering a pre warp civilization. I decided that they would not conquer it or supply weapons to one faction like Klingons do. Instead I felt that diplomacy would be the way the republic would deal with them.

azurianstar

lincolninspace wrote: »

For this mission I had to decide what the Republic would do when encountering a pre warp civilization. I decided that they would not conquer it or supply weapons to one faction like Klingons do. Instead I felt that diplomacy would be the way the republic would deal with them.

I don't know the contents of your story, so I can't envision the scenario in my mind.

But, I would imagine the Republic would be highly cautious. The Federation is guided by the Prime Directive, but Republic Romulans would be reflecting on their lessons by the Imperial Romulans in avoiding the need to conquer and enslave. And they surely wouldn't be attempting to decieve the PWC unless it's in order to protect the culture or themselves (like drawing unwanted attention by the Tal Shair).

guljarol

lincolninspace wrote: »

I agree with azurianstar. D'tan is composed and a true diplomat despite being an emotional Romulans. I don't think there is to much I will change, except maybe adding a little more optional dialogue. For this mission I had to decide what the Republic would do when encountering a pre warp civilization. I decided that they would not conquer it or supply weapons to one faction like Klingons do. Instead I felt that diplomacy would be the way the republic would deal with them.

My own Romulan's approach was feeling kinship with those people. And curiosity. She was going by her gut, not big things like diplomacy, or thinking in some grand, huge notions (like the Feddies often do "save the whole universe!"). She was "what's this place? ooooooh, pretty!" tourist-like

Don't change anything. You wrote a story, it's your story, stick to it. I got a review where someone wrote that Romulans are more emotional and I didn't reflect it. Right, because exclaiming unprofessionally as a reaction to something, or snapping at your officer to shut up because you're thinking is not emotional at all.

You just can't make everybody happy. Follow the tips you like, ignore those you find unreasonable or irrelevant. You may want to add some more dialogue options for possible reactions, but there'll always be people not happy. Just look at the current FE ​​