Star Trek: The Klingon Empire

by Insight Editions

  While Klingon hotel staff can be brusque when it comes to most interactions with outsiders, it’s fair to say their demeanor is warm and welcoming compared to that of the majority of Klingons you might encounter. For example, offering thanks to a shopkeeper for goods and services is liable to get you a dismissive shrug. Even simple greetings are often met with similar ambivalence. To put this in context, the tlhIngan Hol word for “hello” is nuqneH, which roughly means, “What do you want?” For offworlders, direct or even blunt interactions are always your best bet.

  On the other hand, Klingons can be quite energetic when exchanging greetings with one another. For males in particular, it’s not unusual to see them hitting each other on the arms or even exchanging hearty embraces. If they’ve been drinking, don’t be surprised to see a headbutt or two. This isn’t any sort of formally recognized greeting, of course, but it’s still quite the sight when two lumbering, inebriated warriors address one another in this fashion.

  Unless your skull is a strong as a Klingon’s, we advise against engaging in such salutations.

  THE KLINGON EMPIRE

  A BRIEF HISTORY FOR VISITORS

  * * *

  Couched in mystery and legend, the origins of the Klingon Empire are a matter of much debate among historians and other scholars, let alone any son or daughter born on Qo’noS. According to ancient folklore, the planet was once visited by aliens possessing technology and abilities that made them gods in the eyes of the native Klingons. These beings enslaved the indigenous people but eventually were vanquished when Klingon resistance fighters took up arms and slew their oppressors. Such tales eventually gave rise to the popular claim that the Klingons killed all of their gods before seizing their own destiny.

  EARLY HISTORY, EARLY CHAOS

  * * *

  The planet’s early history is one of rampant war that all but consumed numerous Klingon tribes. Such conflicts were driven by territory and resource control, religious disputes, or simple survival in the face of oppression or annihilation. Entire cities and their populations were wiped from existence merely because they happened to be caught in the crossfire of two warring factions. Molor, a brutal tyrant who ruled over the largest faction of Klingon civilization, was the planet’s de facto ruler, directing his armies against anyone who might dare stand against him. Historians believe that Molor’s bloodlust for conflict and conquest drove Klingon civilization to the very precipice of self-destruction. It was during this period, which some historians would later refer to as the Heroic Age of Qo’noS, that leaders and visionaries began to emerge from the smoke of battle. Such figures attracted increasing numbers of followers as they strived to throw off Molor’s reign of violence and terror and unite Klingons as one people. In the early days of their emergence, these outspoken individuals, along with their supporters, were killed for daring to express such unconventional ideas.

  THE RISE OF KAHLESS THE UNFORGETTABLE

  * * *

  In the midst of ever-escalating warfare that threatened all of Klingon civilization, there emerged an extraordinary warrior: Kahless. Already known among military and political leaders for his tactical prowess, he began speaking out against the status quo, directly challenging Molor’s authority. Modifying spiritual lessons taught to him by clerics during childhood, he encouraged his soldiers to abandon the wanton selfishness and savagery that had characterized warfare between the various tribes scattered around the planet for generations. Instead, Kahless inspired his followers to cultivate a true “warrior ethos” while embracing the values of personal and ancestral honor. War, he contended, must be waged for constructive purpose and conducted in a manner befitting a superior species. That meant respect even for vanquished enemies, who, even while living under imperial rule, still contributed to the continued success and expansion of Klingon influence.

  As Molor continued his campaign to crush potential enemies and the other tribes continued to fight one another, the teachings of Kahless began to take hold. His military audacity was matched only by an unwavering dedication to molding the outlook of not just the military but all of the Klingon people. As his battlefield triumphs began to mount, so too did Kahless’s sway over the civilian populace, who saw him not just as a military commander but also a desirable successor to Molor and leader for all Klingons. Kahless scored victory after victory as he pushed back against the tyrant’s rule, until the two leaders finally met face-to-face at the River Skral in what is now known as the Ketha Lowlands. After hours of savage combat, Kahless slew Molor with a bladed weapon he had forged with his own hands—the first bat’leth. In the wake of this triumph, Kahless ascended to the deceased tyrant’s throne, and Molor’s former subjects welcomed this change of regime. A benevolent victor, Kahless was able to convince former enemies to join him, ultimately uniting all of the warring tribes under one flag. Now a single force under the rule of Emperor Kahless, the Klingon Empire soon extended its influence across the planet, eventually bonding all the people of Qo’noS.

  Kahless is credited with pulling back the Klingon people from the brink of oblivion and establishing a code of honor that continues to drive the entire civilization to this day. Indeed, as centuries passed, the truth of Kahless’s actual accomplishments began to be eclipsed by tales of monumental feats well beyond the abilities of a mere mortal—popular myths about Kahless see him single-handedly triumphing over an entire rival army at Three Turn Bridge and battling against supernatural adversaries seeking to destroy his Empire. As a result, the legend of Kahless has become a cornerstone of Klingon mythology as well as history.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  THE SYMBOL OF THE KLINGON EMPIRE

  Klingons call it tlq ghob, which translates roughly to “the Heart of Virtue.” The mark of the Empire traces its roots back to the time of Kahless and the three-bladed weapon that the legendary warrior preferred to carry into battle. He adopted a stylized representation of the weapon to serve as the symbol of his family, the House of Kahless, and that icon soon became synonymous with the Empire itself.

  The Heart of Virtue’s three blades represent a balance between three bedrock character traits of the Klingon people: honor, loyalty, and duty. As Kahless once noted, none of these things can exist without the others. This philosophy is drilled into every young Klingon military-academy cadet.

  EXPANSION AND CONQUEST

  * * *

  After being united by Kahless, the Empire turned its attention to sowing fear into the hearts of enemies who might lurk beyond the confines of their own world. After developing interstellar faster-than-light propulsion to carry their warships, the Empire began spreading outward from Qo’noS. This resulted in the Klingons encountering a more advanced race, the Hur’q, who in turn invaded and captured the Klingon homeworld world during the fourteenth century (as measured on the Gregorian calendar). After generations under Hur’q rule, the Klingon people rallied and evicted their oppressors, but not before Qo’noS was left in near ruin.

  With the planet’s plentiful natural resources plundered and many of its significant cultural artifacts stolen or destroyed, the Empire vowed it would never again bow before an enemy. Colonies were established on over a dozen planets, extending the Klingon influence ever farther as other worlds and their populations were brought under imperial rule. But even as the Empire continued to grow, there were other interstellar powers that would not yield quite so easily.

  CONTACT WITH EARTH AND THE FEDERATION

  * * *

  When a Klingon scout craft accidentally crashed on Earth in the mid-twenty-second century, the Empire became aware of humans for the first time. It was a rocky beginning to a hostile relationship, with tensions and skirmishes escalating to the point of war on multiple occasions. The situation was not helped when, in 2154, the Empire attempted to develop genetically enhanced “super soldiers,” basing their efforts on successful attempts by humans to create similar forces. During the experiments, Klingon scientists tried to modify their race’s DNA using geneticall
y engineered human embryos as a starting point, but the first attempts resulted in Klingon genetic code being overwritten by the aggressive, adaptable human genes.

  A more immediate side effect emerged when the augmented DNA of one test subject combined with a potent strain of Levodian flu, resulting in what became known as the “Qu’Vat virus.” This new contagion spread at an alarming rate, its notable symptom being the physical mutation of exposed Klingons. The most obvious aspect of this change was the loss of the prominent cranial ridges, giving those afflicted a more human appearance­—a fate many Klingons found objectionable and embarrassing. The often deadly infection continued to spread and threatened to wipe out the Klingon race. Though the genetic experiments were halted and a cure was found for Qu’Vat, the physiological effects, including the loss of the cranial ridges, were permanent. Those affected were labeled QuchHa’, or “the unhappy ones,” and these genetic mutations were also passed to their offspring. The disease and its effects were most pronounced throughout the remaining years of the twenty-second century and into the early and mid-2200s.

  Relations between the Empire and the Federation remained tense for more than a century before the Empire declared open war on its rival in 2267. However, that campaign was stopped short by a race of omnipotent super beings, the Organians, who imposed their will upon both parties and thereby stifled Klingon efforts to conquer the humans and their allies. This Organian Peace Treaty established the Neutral Zone between Klingon and Federation space, and forbade outright hostilities within that region. Although occasional, limited skirmishes still occurred elsewhere, both imperial and Federation leaders agreed to adhere to the spirit of the treaty and avoid open hostilities. Following the imposition of this agreement, the Organians were not heard from for many years, prompting some members of the Klingon High Council to call for war in their absence. Such appeals were largely ignored by the Council’s more pragmatic voices.

  Despite condemning the audacity of humans and their propensity for inserting themselves into the affairs of others, some Klingon warriors and governmental leaders would come to admire their guile. This grudging respect, more so than any isolated confrontation or diplomatic overture, would play a large role in the eventual warming of Klingon-Federation relations. This budding friendship was underscored in 2293, when the explosion of Praxis, a moon orbiting Qo’noS, wreaked havoc on the planet’s atmosphere and prompted the Klingon government to reach out to the Federation for emergency assistance. This remarkable act of trust on both sides would prove to be a turning point in the history of both peoples.

  THE EMPIRE TODAY

  * * *

  Following the reign of Kahless, successive emperors continued to rule over the Klingon people for centuries. However, as the Empire expanded its influence across the planet, authority was increasingly assigned to delegates in different regions. Most of these initial delegates were the heads of prominent Klingon families, giving rise to the “Great Houses,” the patriarchs of which became members of the first Klingon High Council. Over time, the role of emperor was seen as unnecessary, and in the mid-twenty-first century, the emperor was replaced by a chancellor charged with presiding over the Council. It was during this period that most historians agree modern Klingon civilization emerged, with some calling it the Birth of the Second Klingon Empire.

  Despite this progress, the Klingon people continued to endure unrest into the twenty-fourth century. Civil war raged on Qo’noS and other imperial worlds, and there were conflicts with numerous interstellar powers, including the Cardassian Union and the Romulan Empire. Even the fragile peace enjoyed with the Federation faltered during the first decades of the new century, resulting in a number of clashes between Klingon and Starfleet warships, which brought with them the renewed prospect of all-out war. Confronting all of these demands placed a heavy strain on the Empire’s overextended military and its ever-decreasing pool of resources. As neighboring rivals expanded their borders, the Empire was in danger of being trapped with no avenues for growth.

  Perhaps the most significant moment in recent Klingon history came in 2369, with the apparent reappearance of Kahless. In accordance with legend and his own promise, the first emperor did indeed seem to return to this life, appearing on the planet Boreth. However, it was soon learned that clerics there had in fact created a clone of the emperor with DNA reportedly taken from the original Kahless’s blood. The clerics had developed the clone in the hopes that the Klingon people would look to him for leadership and this newfound unity would heal the wounds that had threatened to doom the Empire. Gowron, who had only recently assumed his role as Chancellor of the Klingon High Council, was eventually convinced to reinstate the role of emperor, making Kahless’s clone a ceremonial figurehead of the Klingon government. In accordance with the legendary warrior’s own predictions from centuries ago, Kahless—or his clone at least—once again stood as a symbol of the Empire’s former greatness and an exemplar of Klingon honor.

  The pressures brought by tensions with political rivals were all but forgotten in 2373, when the Empire and the Federation found themselves in conflict with the Dominion, an interstellar consortium located in the distant Gamma Quadrant. Ruled by a race of shape changers known as “the Founders,” the Dominion and its legions of genetically engineered soldiers, the Jem’Hadar, launched an invasion against the Federation with designs on conquering the entire Alpha Quadrant. Seeing the need for an alliance to defeat this common foe, the Klingon Empire elected to stand with the Federation and fight back against the Dominion. It was this collaboration that forever sealed the bond between the Empire and the Federation. While it remains troubled at times, it is an alliance that continues to this day.

  tlhIngan Hol! DO YOU SPEAK IT?

  A KLINGON LANGUAGE PRIMER

  * * *

  Klingons take their native tongue seriously, as they do many other aspects of their culture. Likewise, tlhIngan Hol, or “Klingonese,” is a robust and multifaceted language that embodies many of the same qualities that define those who speak it.

  As such, don’t forget to pack your universal translator. Though Federation Standard is spoken on Qo’noS in many of the major metropolitan centers, some locals will refuse to speak it. Unless you’ve actually taken extensive courses in speaking the local languages, we strongly recommend relying on your translator so as not to unwittingly cause offence. However, if you do feel the need to have a few key phrases memorized, we suggest learning and practicing the following:

  ‘arlogh Qoylu’pu’? – What time is it?

  bortaS bIr jablu’DI’ reH QaQqu’ nay’. – Revenge is a dish best served cold.

  Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam. – Today is a good day to die.

  jIQoS. – I am sorry.

  meQtaHbogh qachDaq Suv qoH neH. – Only a fool fights in a burning house.

  nuqDaq ‘oH puchpa”e’? – Where is the bathroom?

  nuqDaq ‘oH Qe’ QaQ? – Where is a good restaurant?

  nuqneH. – Hello; also, What do you want?

  Qapla’! – Success!

  qatlho’. – Thank you. (Remember, many Klingons usually ignore such platitudes.)

  Many Klingon terms don’t translate directly to Federation Standard, so expect to hear these common terms and phrases throughout your visit:

  Bat’leth: “Sword of Honor.” A favored bladed weapon of many a Klingon warrior, this large, curved blade takes years to master and has been a key component of Klingon culture dating back thousands of years, when legends say that Kahless the Unforgettable forged the first bat’leth. You won’t find these weapons in retail shops, as most Klingons refuse to sell any representations of this sacred weapon to offworlders.

  D’k tahg: Another favored weapon, this is a smaller dagger normally worn on the belt of a Klingon’s military uniform or concealed in a boot or beneath civilian clothing. The knife’s identifying characteristic is its double-edged blade offset by a pair of smaller, hinged blades that spring from the dagger’s handle. Like the bat’let
h, the d’k tahg holds great ceremonial value in Klingon culture and is often the weapon of choice for settling disputes that escalate to personal combat. To steal a warrior’s d’k tahg is to insult his honor.

  Fek’lhr: The Klingon equivalent of Satan, Apophis, or Mephistopheles, and guardian of the underworld of Gre’thor.

  Gik’tal: “To the death.” You’re going to hear this one a lot.

  Gre’thor: The Klingon equivalent of Naraka, Gehenna, or Hell.

  ‘Iw bIQtIq: In Klingon mythology, “the River of Blood.” Legends say that Klingon warriors who have died honorably in battle are able to cross the river so that they might join the Black Fleet in Sto-Vo-Kor, the Klingon afterlife.

  Klin zha: A popular strategy board game, on par with chess or Terrace, or the Romulan game latrunclo. Like those games, Klin zha requires quick thinking as well as the ability to plan and execute long-form strategic positioning while denying those same advantages to one’s opponent. Klin zha tournaments are frequently held throughout the Empire, and the game has also achieved modest popularity among Starfleet personnel and in gaming parlors and casinos on various resort planets.

  Mauk-to’Vor: A ceremonial ritual in which a disgraced Klingon warrior with no hope of regaining honor in this life asks a sibling to end their life. The shamed Klingon requests the ceremony in order to have their honor restored and thereby earn the right to be sent to Sto-Vo-Kor (see below).