Neral

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Neral in 2368

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Neral in 2375

Neral was a Romulan who served as the proconsul, and later the praetor, of the Romulan Star Empire in the 2360s and 2370s. His immediate family was killed in a Klingon raid in 2350. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

When Neral assumed the office of proconsul in 2368, he seemed to be a relatively young and idealistic man who was receptive to the idea of reunification with the Vulcans. Through Senator Pardek, he communicated his willingness to meet with Ambassador Spock on the matter. In fact, Neral was conspiring with Commander Sela to conquer Vulcan. His apparent sympathies to the cause of reunification were merely to lure Spock to Romulus so that he could provide a pretext for the Romulan invasion force. (TNG: "Unification II")

Senator Vreenak was one of Neral's most trusted advisors until his death in 2374. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")

In 2374, Neral ascended to the position of praetor. The following year he presided over the Continuing Committee that tried Senator Kimara Cretak for accessing a secured Tal Shiar database.

Neral's personal interests include archaeology and sociology. His favorite food is Delvan pudding, and he owns a pet set'leth named Pensho. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")

By 2379 Neral had been succeeded as praetor by Hiren. (Star Trek Nemesis)

Neral was played by Norman Large in "Unification I" and Unification II," and by Hal Landon, Jr. in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges." Given the character's recasting as a much-older man in DS9, we can infer that in the space of only six years, time has taken a devastating toll on the man.