Ra'tleighfi (Val'danadex Trel)

......The capital city of ch'Rihan, the grandest city in the entire Romulan empire, is known in the archaic Romulan tongue as Val'danadex Trel or in the modern idiom as Ra'tleighfi. Originally just a village springing up where the first Romulan settlers landed, Val'danadex Trel was rebuilt as a more planned and structured community over a thousand years ago in order to better suit the Romulan sense of organization, efficiency, and grandeur. Many of the city's magnificent architecture dates from this time of renewal.

.........The Boulevard of Heroes , so large it can be seen from space, runs from the shores of the Havrelar Sea to the city's center. Monuments and statues honoring history's greatest Romulans line the median of this boulevard. The enormous statue of Emperor Salangen at Setalep IV, the Laneshra Monument, and the Mausoleum of Reldekk the Great, among other prominent historical figures can also be found here. Shops, small, large, elegant, or quaint abound on either side of the boulevard. Near the middle of the city, at the Plaza of D'era ( the Endless Sky), the boulevard terminates in an open area, more than two square kilometers wide and broad. The center of Romulan political life and social life, the Plaza hosts many events and festivals. On most days, thousands of Romulans can be found on the Plaza just enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Often they enjoy a military parade, a Praetorial speech, or some other major civic event here as well.

.......The Romulan Senate, an enormous circular building whose shape every Romulan recognizes, occupies one side of the Plaza. The front steps leading into the senate building rise over a hundred feet; in the middle of the staircase stands a colossal statue of the first Romulan emperor, Valkis, his left hand stretched out benevolently to shelter his people from all threats. As the senators pass into the building each day to conduct the business of the Empire, they must pass beneath the statue and be reminded of the honor and ideals which it represents.

........The Praetor's Place, formerly the Emperor's Palace, fills the other side of the Plaza. The Praetor resides here and performs most of the governmental functions here as well. The Praetorian Guard, a group of elite troops culled from the Romulan military, stand vigilantly at every entrance to protect the Praetor. The palace, a compound rather than a single building, is a small city unto itself. It contains not only the offices and apartments but gardens, recreation facilitates, and many other accommodations fit for the use of the glorious praetor.

........The city is also home to the Citadel Var'Theldun, headquarters of the dreaded Tal Shiar. At one time, superstitious Romulans feared to even let the shadow of the building touch them, believing that even so tenuous a contact meant they would end up there for good. Traitors to the Empire who passed through Var'Theldun's doors for interrogation were never seen on the streets of the capital city again. At best they could hope to live out the remainder of their pitiable lives in some far-flung Romulan penal colony.

.........The city is also home to University Ra'tleighfi, the most respected university on ch'Rihan. The University was founded over 800 years ago by Fvillha Y'ncy tr'K're, and has grown exponentially as the Empire has grown. It's stately academic buildings and broad campus is currently home to over 10,000 students and educators. Academic courses are available in all the scientific fields (with an especially prominent medical program). Special studies may be taken in history, languages, politics, or the arts. Although the Romulan War College is actually located on the he world of Devorren, required pre- requisite courses in military science are available at the University for those preparing for their Serona (mandatory military service).

.........In the hills to the east of the city proper overlooking the beautiful river Ra'tleighfi, can be found the imposing palatial compounds of many of the city's founding noble families including the renown houses of s'Khnialmnae, s'Kassus, s'Llweii, s'Sahen, s'Illialhlae and s'Veridx. Also located in this exclusive area is the Crystal Palace of the Empress. From the streets of the city below, the palace at night, filled with millions of lights in it's over 1000 rooms, appears to be constructed of Crystal and floating above the city. An astounding compound, each room of the Imperial Crystal Palace is filled with priceless works of arts. The formal gardens include several groupings of magnificent statuary (including several impressive pieces by ch'Rihan's favorite sculptor, erei'Riov Rh'vaurek tr'Khnialmnae) displayed tastefully amid entire gardens of rare, costly flowers, and unusual imported plants from all of the subjugated worlds of the Empire. The main compound contains the Imperial family's working offices as well as the spacious individual apartments for the Imperial family, guests, and ambassadors from throughout the Empire and beyond. Imperial guards, specifically chosen for their loyalty to the Imperial Family, are stationed at each entrance to the grounds and walk continually on the parapets of the surrounding castle walls in pairs to safeguard their royal charges.

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