The Elements were a spiritual belief that was shared by the Romulan people.
The concept states that there are no deities but instead asks for reverence to be displayed to the Elements that make up the universe itself. These elements are: Fire, Earth, Water, Air and the Archelement which oversees the others. They were often called upon in times of fear or uncertainty. Romulans were also known to take them in vain on occasion, as "By the Elements!" was sometimes used as an exclamation of surprise. The Rihannsu language is therefore rich with phrases which acknowledge the sentience of the Universe such as: "Oh Elements, avert it!", "What in the Element's name?", "Elements be thanked!", "Oh Fire & Air & Earth!", "Powers and Elements!", "Elements granting" and so forth.
Among the traits of the Elements was the fact that they were dualistic in nature. The element of fire stands for energy, earth for solid matter, air for gaseous matter and water for fluid matter. Every part of the universe and every person has its specific element or a specific combination - only if the individual acts conform with this combination of elements the balance and harmony of the world and the universe can be found.
Surprisingly, there are priests and priestesses of various sects in large numbers. Each element has, in theory, a single sect devoted to it (although in reality, many sects exist for each, some competing at cross purposes. But such is the way of the Rihannsu). There is no central leader to the sects, only a five person 'Key'. The Key is a group of High Priests and Priestesses (one from each of the primary sects of each major element) who hold the sects together. Strangely, there is no sect for the Archelement, although all sects join together to worship and celebrate it equally. Each of the sects has three scrolls as its basis. These scrolls govern the daily life of the Elementals and the populace. S'Task and his followers created these scrolls and each tell of tales or legends for easy understanding without misunderstanding the true meaning. Each scroll stands for Mind, Heart, and Soul. Together they are the key to the understanding of the Archelement. There are many, many rituals, ceremonies, prayers, songs, poems, stories, tales, legends, and sonnets for respect and empowerment. Each element has a festival devoted to it, with one culminating festival to the Archelement. Some of these festivals likely date back to the pre-Reformation era on Vulcan as do a few other Rihannsu practices in the area of religion. Though Rihannsu do not preserve 'katras' as the Vulcans do, many religious ceremonies retain a distinctive Vulcan flavor.
In addition to these beliefs, there are also mythical creatures and beings with less well known origins and/or functions such as:
Alth'Indor: a mythological bird animal in historic Romulan beliefs. The Alth'Indor was similar to the legend of the phoenix in Earth literature.
Bettatan'ru: A demon lord which appeared as a horned humanoid creature with cloven hooves and black fangs where red smoke emanated. It always possessed a smiling face that often portrayed it as gloating over those who approach it. Its arms were typically outstretched as if it were attempting to grab those that came before it.
Reah: The name of an ancient female goddess of the underworld who held power over death and bereavement.
Mythical locations include:
Areinnye: A mythological location known to Romulans. This was a location people were said to be damned to.
Erebus: A mythological place in the Romulan belief system, part of their afterlife roughly analogous to the human concept of hell. Images of fire and a dark abyss were associated with Erebus, and phrases like "Damn you to Erebus" or "See you in Erebus" were common Romulan epithets. Another term for Erebus may be Areinnye in the Rihannsu language.
Halls of Erebus: The Halls of Erebus was the afterlife that Romulans and Remans believed in as the final reward for the honored dead, and hoped that their souls were allowed to enter. It is similar to the human concept of Valhalla.
Vaults of the Dead: The vaults was an afterlife known to the Romulan civilization. It is not known whether the Vaults were a separate concept compared to Erebus, part of it or simply another name for it.
Vorta Vor: Vorta Vor was an ancient Vulcan / Romulan mythic concept of paradise, akin to Eden or Heaven.
Known religious positions in society:
Pontix: A Pontix was a priestly position that was held by individuals within Romulan society. They served multiple purposes within the Romulan religion as they conducted all public rituals from the inaugurations of citizens to the deeper level of service and obedience.
Archpriest: Archpriest was a title given to a high spiritual leader in Romulan culture.
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Festivals, rites and rituals
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