Vulcans versus Romulans - Jedi or Sith?

The Vulcan and Romulan Races developed out of one species that evolved on Vulcan. However, over time, each race adopted vastly differing philosophical worldviews. The split between the races came at a time of conflict on Vulcan when an alien species attempted to invade their once shared home world. During this time Surak, one of Vulcans greatest philosopher’s, emerged and began teaching principles of life based on pacifism, emotional control and logic. One of Surak’s former students, a poet named S'task, opposed Surak and took up an argument that favored violent resistance, passion and strength. The resultant struggle ending in a nuclear civil war and the subsequent division of the species when the followers of S’task left the planet and became known as the Romulan race.



VULCANS
Vulcans center their lives on the concept of logic. The highest objective of this philosophy is the strict control of all emotion. They believe this control allows them to always make the most rational decisions possible and thus rendering them a purely cogent being. This difficult task is attained through routine meditation, constant discipline and physical training. Vulcans embrace cultural and racial diversity and espouse a pacifist philosophy, going so far as to follow strict vegan diets to avoid killing even non-sentient animals. Vulcans believe that the needs of a very large group should go before the needs of a very small group or any individual.

However Vulcans also believe that complete dedication to logic could allow for weakness and frailty to arise and endanger them. Because of this Vulcans continue to maintain ceremonies dedicated to ancient religious beliefs. Practices such as the kahs-wan, a rite of passage in which one must survive alone in the wilderness for ten days without food, water, or weapons or the Pon Farr, a mating ritual in which the veneer of logic is stripped away and replaced with maddening passions, were preserved. Many Vulcans also continued some form of dedication to their ancient gods, including ritual pilgrimages



ROMULANS
In every way the opposite of the logical and "cold" Vulcans, the Romulans lack the rigorous mental disciplines developed by the followers of Surak. Romulans do not hide their emotions. They tend to revel in them, capable of both intense compassion and deep loving devotion but also fanatical ferocity and viciousness. They are characterized as passionate, cunning, and opportunistic. The Romulans do not undergo the effects of Pon farr, due to the fact they don’t repress their normal sexual urges. Like the Vulcans, The Romulan’s gave up unrestrained violence as a way of life. However, in the case of the Romulans, this was replaced with a controlled deviousness.

As a species, the Romulans as generally thought of as treacherous. But they are actually quite honorable as a species and this reputation stems from their philosophy of accomplishment at all cost. Part of this Romulan behavior is influenced by the belief in “D'era” which is the source of the Romulan concept of honor. This is not purely a warrior-like concept but also a reflection of accomplishments made by the individual in relation to self, family and Empire. They celebrate rather than repress their instinctual, passionate emotions and consider defending the Romulan Empire and their own personal honor of foremost importance.

Part of this belief includes the concept of "Final Honor" which is something that requires a Romulan to sacrifice their life before their honor is taken from them. This includes never being captured in battle and fearing disgrace over death. Romulan’s believe they are the caretakers of the universe and in this have a complete loyalty to their race as a whole. To them there is no greater honor than to die in service to their nation. This shared belief is known to the Romulan’s as "the Romulan path to glory." As well, military service and its accompanying rank are decisive factors in determining social eminence. The Romulan’s consider the Vulcans to have strayed away from the warrior teachings of D'Era.