Who, exactly, do the Klingon, Romulan and Andorian empires rule??

[WarpTenLizard]

"Who, exactly, do the Klingon, Romulan and Andorian Empires rule?" is what I meant to say.

The Klingons, Andorians and Romulans all allegedly have "empires." But who exactly have those empires conquered?

TNG gave us the Kryosians as a "subject species" of the Klingon Empire. "Nemesis" introduces the Remans, who live under Romulan rule. And the Aenar presumably are subjects of the Andorian Empire. And...that's all I got.

Apparently "Star Trek Online" says that the Orions, Gorn and Naussicans all live under the Klingon Empire. In my opinion this is perfect, because all three species have warrior elements to their cultures, which could either be influenced by living under Klingon rule, or simply the reason the Klingons chose to try conquering them to begin with. (No honor in conquering a planet of pacifists after all.) That each planet still has its own government doesn't mean that they aren't members of a larger Empire, the way Federation worlds still have their own cultures and leaders.

So, who do you think might be a "subject species" of one of these empires?

 

[Nerys Myk]

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Klingon_Empire#Subject_species

It's possible some of the species seen on Rura Pentha are from subject races.

Star Trek has rarely been interested in showing in showing the Empires as Empires. Too complicated for the Hoi polloi.

 

[WarpTenLizard]

Star Trek has rarely been interested in showing in showing the Empires as Empires. Too complicated for the Hoi polloi.

But it really shouldn't be that difficult. All they'd have to do is throw in a line hesr and there alluding to it.

Some made-up examples:

"Well, since my species lives under Romulan rule, joining Starfleet is really only doable when relations with the Federation are going well. I was planning to apply to Starfleet Academy before the latest war broke out..."

"Don't think that just because my planet answers to the Klingon Emperor means that I have no authority here on Orion! I am still queen in this system!"

"You Caitians don't f*ck around!"
"Well ya don't live under Klingon rule for three centuries without picking up a few tricks!"

 

[Nerys Myk]

But it really shouldn't be that difficult. All they'd have to do is throw in a line hesr and there alluding to it.

Some made-up examples:

"Well, since my species lives under Romulan rule, joining Starfleet is really only doable when relations with the Federation are going well. I was planning to apply to Starfleet Academy before the latest war broke out..."

"Don't think that just because my planet answers to the Klingon Emperor means that I have no authority here on Orion! I am still queen in this system!"

"You Caitians don't f*ck around!"
"Well ya don't live under Klingon rule for three centuries without picking up a few tricks!"

You'd think, But alas.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Maybe our friends at Strange New Worlds will tackle this? Who am I kidding, they won’t.

 

[WarpTenLizard]

Maybe our friends at Strange New Worlds will tackle this? Who am I kidding, they won’t.

They honestly might.

 

[Forbin]

This touches on my frustration at the need to explain the different looks of Klingons in different show eras and the whole stupid Augment arc.
Klingons have a whole Empire to draw on for their armed forces. The simplest explanation for the different looks was that we encountered crews from different planets around the Empire.
But NOOOoooo. They hadda make it complicated.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

What was the last word title of this thread supposed to be? "Style"?

 

[FormerLurker]

What was the last word title of this thread supposed to be? "Style"?

As seen in the first post:

Rule

 

[1001001]

Fixed the title.

 

[WarpTenLizard]

Fixed the title.

View attachment 44283

Thank you!

This touches on my frustration at the need to explain the different looks of Klingons in different show eras and the whole stupid Augment arc.
Klingons have a whole Empire to draw on for their armed forces. The simplest explanation for the different looks was that we encountered crews from different planets around the Empire.
But NOOOoooo. They hadda make it complicated.

SAME. I'll admit I didn't think of it on my own, but as soon as someone pointed it out, I couldn't unsee it. Such a missed opportunity at worldbuilding.

Granted, we can still say that the different Klingon looks cone from different planets, and that centuries of inter-breeding mean that many Klingons have DNA from other conquered species, and that's what the Augment Virus activated in the affected individuals.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I think there are many different worlds within the Klingon and Romulan empires--some joined willingly, while some perhaps did not. We really don't see these other species because we primarily deal with the ones in charge within either empire. A case could be made that neither the Klingon or Romulan empires are as cosmopolitan as the Federation and don't allow that many "non-naturals" to serve in their navies or hold major positions of authority in their governments.

Conversely, someone who didn't know better might think the Federation consists only of Humans if Humans are the only ones they deal with, IMO.

 

[StarCruiser]

Also, keep in mind that an "Empire" doesn't actually have to conquer anyone to be one. It's essentially an Imperial Governmental system.

The Second German Empire (1870's until the end of World War I) initially had no conquered peoples. It was a union of multiple German Kingdoms/Princedoms (etc.) under an "Emperor" - aka the Kaiser.

They did add some Colonies later but, that was all there was after it was first formed.

 

[drt]

Also, keep in mind that an "Empire" doesn't actually have to conquer anyone to be one. It's essentially an Imperial Governmental system.

The Second German Empire (1870's until the end of World War I) initially had no conquered peoples. It was a union of multiple German Kingdoms/Princedoms (etc.) under an "Emperor" - aka the Kaiser.

They did add some Colonies later but, that was all there was after it was first formed.

You beat me to it, I was about to post that as presented on the shows, the Klingon and Romulan Empires seem to be made up of Klingon and Romulans almost exclusively.