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Roleplay as a Romulan

spectre21184spectre21184 Member Posts: 45 Arc User
(Does best Doctor Nick impression he can) Hi everybody...
I'm working on a new tactical officer, with a faction I've not played before and I was wondering if i could get some advice on roleplaying a romulan. His basic story is that he was brought to the virinat colony and ended up being a decent peacekeeper type (which is why he's tactical instead of science or engie).
I am however willing to work with other ideas, and i've been playing around with the alien creator to make an irathiant or jaffa

Comments

  • rattler2rattler2 Member, Star Trek Online Moderator Posts: 58,696 Community Moderator
    I actually made a decent Irathient look on my female Alien. The Winter Jacket and some of the Merc stuff added to the look.

    As for RPing a Romulan... well... sounds to me like you've already got a good base to build off of.
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  • brian334brian334 Member Posts: 2,219 Arc User
    Romulan culture has been dominated by the Tal Shiar for generations, and this has a lingering effect. Add to this an hereditary upper class which was dependant upon the climate of fear and mistrust the Tal Shiar generated, and you have a culture which is extraordinarily conservative. Romulans don't easily voice unpopular opinions, they don't argue against leadership openly, and they don't talk much with outsiders. In fact, if it's none of your business they probably won't talk to you at all. The average Romulan is excellent at compartmentalization.

    Expressing dissent of any kind is done with exceptional subtlety. Outright resistance to a superior is almost unknown. For me the argument between Hakeev and Janek stood out as anomalous. Janek should have died by firing squad moments after raising her voice! (I realize that conversation had a story purpose, but I am glad the writers included her fatalism.)

    Given the current state of Romulan society there may be some who defy these social conventions, but they will be deviants, (not necessarily in a bad way, but being different is deviation.) Romulans, even in a tolerant society, would be demure and formal. In every way from speech to dress to manners, the average Romulan does not want to stand out. The best and brightest of them are consistent third place finishers.

    This does not necessarily apply to upper class Romulans, who can be ambitious, venal, arrogant, and authoritarian. My own Patrician character tries to hide her background, but it is apparent to Romulans. My fix-it-man Romulan is a complete pragmatist whose only concern is, "Make it work." However, he is exceedingly polite without being unapproachable. I intentionally play him as having adopted the Federation ideal and rejecting the old Romulan ways.
  • jonsillsjonsills Member Posts: 10,477 Arc User
    Nniol tr'Keiniadh was a junior officer aboard an Imperial Romulan ship when then-Commander Hakeev came aboard. He found evidence of Hakeev sending coded transmissions (although he never figured out what they were about) and brought it to the captain's attention. A few days later, the captain died of a random suit failure during an EVA. Then the first officer died. The ship returned to port, where a friend of Nniol's who was in the Senate came to meet him. Later that day, the senator was assassinated. Then Nniol just avoided being shot when he bent over to pick up some dropped luggage, then was almost hit by a transport whose control systems had "failed". Not being excessively blind, Nniol immediately fled Imperial space, and was half a quadrant away when Hobus went supernova and wiped out his homeworld. It was some twenty years later that D'Vix found Nniol, freshly unemployed after being kicked off a Ferengi transport at Drozana and drowning his sorrows in a flagon of cheap bloodwine. D'Vix cleaned Nniol up and convinced him to come start a new life at Virinat. When the attack came, Nniol thought at first that Hakeev had at last come after him personally...

    Nadirh is half-Romulan, half-Reman. She was on Virinat as a merchant freighter crewmember, and wound up signing on with D'tan's Republic as a mercenary of sorts. (She's officially on the rolls of the Fleet, but is also well-known for running the least military ship in the Republic.) She consciously rejects the society in which she was born, because she can see that it didn't really get the RSE anywhere in the long run.
    Lorna-Wing-sig.png
  • spectre21184spectre21184 Member Posts: 45 Arc User
    He was a citizen now, once a well placed member of the Tal Shiar; After the destruction of their home years ago he traveled with his then mate Rhela Tor'Ven. She passed, falling ill on the planet which S'Vot helped settle with a few other like minded colonists. He was a changed man after Rhela's death, her joining of the elements leaving him without the fire of his heart.
    It was now the harvest, a time of renewal, of festivities but he felt no desire to be festive. Tovan had contacted him, they had become friends over the years at the colony and Tovan had been polite in not asking much of S'Vots past or how he knew weapons and survival as he did.

    (a brief mock up of what I thought for S'vot, I would appreciate critque)
  • spiritbornspiritborn Member Posts: 4,406 Arc User
    brian334 wrote: »
    Romulan culture has been dominated by the Tal Shiar for generations, and this has a lingering effect. Add to this an hereditary upper class which was dependant upon the climate of fear and mistrust the Tal Shiar generated, and you have a culture which is extraordinarily conservative. Romulans don't easily voice unpopular opinions, they don't argue against leadership openly, and they don't talk much with outsiders. In fact, if it's none of your business they probably won't talk to you at all. The average Romulan is excellent at compartmentalization.

    Expressing dissent of any kind is done with exceptional subtlety. Outright resistance to a superior is almost unknown. For me the argument between Hakeev and Janek stood out as anomalous. Janek should have died by firing squad moments after raising her voice! (I realize that conversation had a story purpose, but I am glad the writers included her fatalism.)

    Given the current state of Romulan society there may be some who defy these social conventions, but they will be deviants, (not necessarily in a bad way, but being different is deviation.) Romulans, even in a tolerant society, would be demure and formal. In every way from speech to dress to manners, the average Romulan does not want to stand out. The best and brightest of them are consistent third place finishers.

    This does not necessarily apply to upper class Romulans, who can be ambitious, venal, arrogant, and authoritarian. My own Patrician character tries to hide her background, but it is apparent to Romulans. My fix-it-man Romulan is a complete pragmatist whose only concern is, "Make it work." However, he is exceedingly polite without being unapproachable. I intentionally play him as having adopted the Federation ideal and rejecting the old Romulan ways.

    something to remember when RPing remans that being overly conservative in manners and desire to not stand out would be dialed up to eleven with them, since for a slave standing out from the crowd would mean a savage beating or worse and it wasn't so long ago that remans were slaves so it would influence their cultural norms.

    also your average reman would be most likely to deal with their "enemies" in a way that cannot be traced back to him/her, rather then confronting them openly (again slaves that talk back to their masters get beaten or worse).

    Not to mention that any distrust towards authorities would be much, much stronger with remans due well them being ex-slaves and thus understandbly not all that trusting of those who used to mistreat them or their allies.
  • brian334brian334 Member Posts: 2,219 Arc User
    He was a citizen now, once a well placed member of the Tal Shiar; After the destruction of their home years ago he traveled with his then mate Rhela Tor'Ven. She passed, falling ill on the planet which S'Vot helped settle with a few other like minded colonists. He was a changed man after Rhela's death, her joining of the elements leaving him without the fire of his heart.
    It was now the harvest, a time of renewal, of festivities but he felt no desire to be festive. Tovan had contacted him, they had become friends over the years at the colony and Tovan had been polite in not asking much of S'Vots past or how he knew weapons and survival as he did.

    (a brief mock up of what I thought for S'vot, I would appreciate critque)

    An interesting beginning. Does Rinna ever light his fire? Or is he going along for the ride for Tovan's sake? (I don't really want to know, I'm tossing ideas at random.)

    Has his time as a Tal Shiar officer affected his attitudes? Perhaps he is more secretive than average, or perhaps a bit more arrogant? Do other Romulans suspect his background, or has he mastered living under a disguise? Is this something he would hide from his superiors? Perhaps out of habit, or just prudence? Has he any secret shame that goads him to be better or which, if revealed, make a pariah of him?

    This background you have created opens lots of doors, and I'll bet you explore some and close others as you play your character. Sometimes the emergent personality surprises even the creator of a character.
    spiritborn wrote: »
    brian334 wrote: »
    Romulan culture has been dominated by the Tal Shiar for generations, and this has a lingering effect. Add to this an hereditary upper class which was dependant upon the climate of fear and mistrust the Tal Shiar generated, and you have a culture which is extraordinarily conservative. Romulans don't easily voice unpopular opinions, they don't argue against leadership openly, and they don't talk much with outsiders. In fact, if it's none of your business they probably won't talk to you at all. The average Romulan is excellent at compartmentalization.

    Expressing dissent of any kind is done with exceptional subtlety. Outright resistance to a superior is almost unknown. For me the argument between Hakeev and Janek stood out as anomalous. Janek should have died by firing squad moments after raising her voice! (I realize that conversation had a story purpose, but I am glad the writers included her fatalism.)

    Given the current state of Romulan society there may be some who defy these social conventions, but they will be deviants, (not necessarily in a bad way, but being different is deviation.) Romulans, even in a tolerant society, would be demure and formal. In every way from speech to dress to manners, the average Romulan does not want to stand out. The best and brightest of them are consistent third place finishers.

    This does not necessarily apply to upper class Romulans, who can be ambitious, venal, arrogant, and authoritarian. My own Patrician character tries to hide her background, but it is apparent to Romulans. My fix-it-man Romulan is a complete pragmatist whose only concern is, "Make it work." However, he is exceedingly polite without being unapproachable. I intentionally play him as having adopted the Federation ideal and rejecting the old Romulan ways.

    something to remember when RPing remans that being overly conservative in manners and desire to not stand out would be dialed up to eleven with them, since for a slave standing out from the crowd would mean a savage beating or worse and it wasn't so long ago that remans were slaves so it would influence their cultural norms.

    also your average reman would be most likely to deal with their "enemies" in a way that cannot be traced back to him/her, rather then confronting them openly (again slaves that talk back to their masters get beaten or worse).

    Not to mention that any distrust towards authorities would be much, much stronger with remans due well them being ex-slaves and thus understandbly not all that trusting of those who used to mistreat them or their allies.

    +1 × 11
  • jorantomalakjorantomalak Member Posts: 7,133 Arc User
    My rom has a TNG rp conection

    My roms nam is

    Joran Tomalak son of the infamous romulan commander during TNG, though his father was an asp of a man he on the other hand is a man of the people more concerned in service to the romulan people then anything else, him andd his father hated one another to such extent his own father tried to have him killed while he was in the romulan naval academy before hobus mind you.

    My toon was one of the last rescue shuttles to leave romulus before its destruction, it pains him deply that he couldnt save more then the few he did, he is in his mid 40s entering the academy at age 14 and being assigned to his first warbird by 18.

    he is a staunch supporter of D'tans and believes ferevently in the republic, though he is a liason oficer to the klingon empire he took the assignment to help better relations betwn the empire and republic, in those efforts he has been mostly successfull.
  • spectre21184spectre21184 Member Posts: 45 Arc User
    An interesting beginning. Does Rinna ever light his fire? Or is he going along for the ride for Tovan's sake? (I don't really want to know, I'm tossing ideas at random.)

    At first it was for Tovan's sake and that S'vot sets family as one of the highest priorities one can hold. She is beautiful but she also the sister of someone who has become a dear friend so he weighs the option of pursuing either path.

    Has his time as a Tal Shiar officer affected his attitudes? Perhaps he is more secretive than average, or perhaps a bit more arrogant? His time as a Tal Shiar officer was more interesting than anything else, fascinated by enigmas, secrets, the way people act when they do not know they're being watched and feel safe fascinated him. As such he was a very well regarded interrogator when needed, and yes was slightly arrogant but some of it was very warranted.

    Do other Romulans suspect his background, or has he mastered living under a disguise? Is this something he would hide from his superiors? Perhaps out of habit, or just prudence? Tovan suspects, but does not ask as he respects his friend and believes he knows him well enough to judge if he was lock stepped in with the star empire or not. However if you did not know him well or did not have extensive knowledge of the Tal Shiar you would not know he was anything other than a normal citizen. He keeps his former allegiance though hidden out of prudence rather than shame, although there where a few interrogations that he is not proud of and if he ever found survivors of what happened he would do his best to make amends albeit clandestinely.

    Has he any secret shame that goads him to be better or which, if revealed, make a pariah of him? There were a few interrogations, men who simply did not fall in the proper way of thinking or offered charity where the tal shiar believed it was not needed that gave S'Vot pause. He did not like performing his duty during that time, but he was clinical, thorough in his assessment so their families would be spared any further questioning.
    brian334 wrote: »
    He was a citizen now, once a well placed member of the Tal Shiar; After the destruction of their home years ago he traveled with his then mate Rhela Tor'Ven. She passed, falling ill on the planet which S'Vot helped settle with a few other like minded colonists. He was a changed man after Rhela's death, her joining of the elements leaving him without the fire of his heart.
    It was now the harvest, a time of renewal, of festivities but he felt no desire to be festive. Tovan had contacted him, they had become friends over the years at the colony and Tovan had been polite in not asking much of S'Vots past or how he knew weapons and survival as he did.

    (a brief mock up of what I thought for S'vot, I would appreciate critque)

    An interesting beginning. Does Rinna ever light his fire? Or is he going along for the ride for Tovan's sake? (I don't really want to know, I'm tossing ideas at random.)

    Has his time as a Tal Shiar officer affected his attitudes? Perhaps he is more secretive than average, or perhaps a bit more arrogant? Do other Romulans suspect his background, or has he mastered living under a disguise? Is this something he would hide from his superiors? Perhaps out of habit, or just prudence? Has he any secret shame that goads him to be better or which, if revealed, make a pariah of him?

    This background you have created opens lots of doors, and I'll bet you explore some and close others as you play your character. Sometimes the emergent personality surprises even the creator of a character.
    spiritborn wrote: »
    brian334 wrote: »
    Romulan culture has been dominated by the Tal Shiar for generations, and this has a lingering effect. Add to this an hereditary upper class which was dependant upon the climate of fear and mistrust the Tal Shiar generated, and you have a culture which is extraordinarily conservative. Romulans don't easily voice unpopular opinions, they don't argue against leadership openly, and they don't talk much with outsiders. In fact, if it's none of your business they probably won't talk to you at all. The average Romulan is excellent at compartmentalization.

    Expressing dissent of any kind is done with exceptional subtlety. Outright resistance to a superior is almost unknown. For me the argument between Hakeev and Janek stood out as anomalous. Janek should have died by firing squad moments after raising her voice! (I realize that conversation had a story purpose, but I am glad the writers included her fatalism.)

    Given the current state of Romulan society there may be some who defy these social conventions, but they will be deviants, (not necessarily in a bad way, but being different is deviation.) Romulans, even in a tolerant society, would be demure and formal. In every way from speech to dress to manners, the average Romulan does not want to stand out. The best and brightest of them are consistent third place finishers.

    This does not necessarily apply to upper class Romulans, who can be ambitious, venal, arrogant, and authoritarian. My own Patrician character tries to hide her background, but it is apparent to Romulans. My fix-it-man Romulan is a complete pragmatist whose only concern is, "Make it work." However, he is exceedingly polite without being unapproachable. I intentionally play him as having adopted the Federation ideal and rejecting the old Romulan ways.

    something to remember when RPing remans that being overly conservative in manners and desire to not stand out would be dialed up to eleven with them, since for a slave standing out from the crowd would mean a savage beating or worse and it wasn't so long ago that remans were slaves so it would influence their cultural norms.

    also your average reman would be most likely to deal with their "enemies" in a way that cannot be traced back to him/her, rather then confronting them openly (again slaves that talk back to their masters get beaten or worse).

    Not to mention that any distrust towards authorities would be much, much stronger with remans due well them being ex-slaves and thus understandbly not all that trusting of those who used to mistreat them or their allies.

    +1 × 11

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