Star Trek: The Klingon Empire

by Insight Editions

  Hall of Honor

  Unlike the Hall of Warriors, which celebrates Klingon soldiers and others with records of distinguished service to the Empire, the Hall of Honor offers respectful tribute to worthy adversaries vanquished in battle against Klingon warships. In keeping with the respect extended to these individuals, the Hall of Honor is but a short walk west from the Hall of Warriors, accessible by a cobblestone path running adjacent to the Qam-Chee River. Here, banners, flags, and other items salvaged from captured enemy vessels are on exhibit, each flanked by displays that recount the details of the glorious victory. As described by the Hall’s curator, it is an honor to be memorialized here, though travelers with familial connections to anyone who may have served on—for example—a Starfleet ship that was captured or destroyed might feel differently. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the staff at every opportunity to learn the complete stories behind the artifacts housed here and discover more about the Klingon people’s unique veneration of honorable opponents.

  The Caves of No’Mat

  Located deep within the mountainous region north of the city, these lava caves are famous for their restorative qualities. Many a Klingon has reported that the lava’s heat coupled with intense meditation can induce powerful hallucinations that often aid an individual’s attempts at “soul searching.” The caves became so popular that a ceremonial ritual, the Rite of MajQa, evolved from the meditative practices. Visions experienced during this observance are believed to be of great import, especially if the Klingon undertaking the exercise believes he or she has communicated with a deceased family member or experienced a vision of his or her own future. The recent addition of a transparent duranium walkway allows visitors to hike deep into the caves just meters above the lava roiling upward from the caves’ depths.

  Museum of Reclaw

  Given Kahless’s enduring influence in Klingon history, it’s easy to forget that other noteworthy emperors also ruled the Empire. Chief among these prominent monarchs is Reclaw, the last emperor of the Klingon Second Dynasty during what would have been the sixteenth century on Earth. At this museum located a short walk north of the Hall of Warriors in the Old Quarter, you’ll find a repository of documents, artifacts, and other items that trace Reclaw’s reign. Unlike Kahless, who is renowned for uniting the Klingon people and roundly defeating most of those who would defy his rule, Reclaw’s reign was fraught with attempts to overthrow him. According to records, which remain incomplete to this day, the First City was attacked at least four times by those challenging him for the throne. Holographic presentations re-create highlights from Reclaw’s supremacy, which finally ended with his assassination at the hands of General K’Trelan during a coup d’état that ultimately led to the end of the Second Dynasty. In the wake of that takeover, K’Trelan appointed himself as Reclaw’s successor, bringing an end to one of the more tumultuous periods in Klingon history. Guided tours of the museum have limited spaces and operate without reservations, so plan to arrive early.

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  * * *

  While appealing to non-Klingon residents and tourists has become a trend in recent decades, don’t confuse the First City with some grand intergalactic melting pot. This is still the heart of the Klingon Empire, after all, which means you can expect the vast majority of restaurants and bars to have menus that cater directly to the locals. The regulars at various establishments will make no secret of their respect for an offworlder who demonstrates the courage to sample Klingon cuisine.

  Pao’La Open Air Bazaar

  Located in the Qav Quarter in the city’s southeastern region, this shopping area is one of the best places in the city to sample a broad cross section of clothing, decor, crafts, foods, and spirits from around the planet. Like the rest of the immediate area, the bazaar feels like a more recent addition to the First City, and its modern architecture and amenities make it the ideal location for retailers catering to tourists as well as locals. Restaurants and taverns abound, and street merchants offer a healthy selection of local and offworlder fare. One of the most popular venues is Rolatahk, which showcases what the eatery’s proprietor, D’janoq, calls “nItebHa’ DuD,” or a blending of Klingon delicacies with classic human preparation and presentation. D’janoq has eschewed convention while winning awards and notices for his recipes, which call for cooking foods that are traditionally served raw or even live. Chief among his signature dishes is smoked targ and sautéed gagh bloodworms. Due to the increasing popularity of these fusion creations, Rolatahk now hosts regular cooking demonstrations and classes.

  Soridiem’s Klin zha Parlor

  Round out your afternoon or evening in relaxed fashion by partaking in a friendly round of the popular Klingon game Klin zha. Favored by players of chess and other similar strategy games, Klin zha requires discipline and patience, along with forward thinking and a touch of guile. Soridiem’s parlor is home to forty-seven tables that welcome players of all skill levels, and tournaments take place at least once a month. Offworlders are encouraged to participate, and despite the Klingons’ competitive nature, physical fights are infrequent and actual fatalities are rarer still.

  The Dream of the Fire

  Renowned Klingon author K’Ratak’s celebrated novel of romance set against the backdrop of war during the Heroic Age receives a live adaptation from Cho’tahk, a talented family of Klingon performers who’ve entertained audiences for five generations. They offer two nightly performances in the Han’vral Amphitheater located at the north end of the Pao’La Bazaar. A narrator recites the book’s framing sequences before stepping into shadow as the actors convey the rest of the story. The performances evoke everything about the novel that made it such a sensation for readers across the planet as well as on worlds throughout the quadrant. Thanks to the novel’s popularity outside the Empire, Cho’tahk often welcomes guest performances from non-Klingon acting companies, such as the famed Second Quadrant Players and the Warp-Speed Classic Repertoire Company.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  THE SWORD OF KAHLESS

  There are many enduring legends surrounding Kahless the Unforgettable that pit him against foes far more powerful than anything a mere mortal might hope to best. A number of these mythic tales involve Kahless creating mighty weapons with his bare hands—or through sheer force of will. The most celebrated of these creations, one that continues to embody all that it means to fight in service to the Klingon Empire, is the first bat’leth.

  The storied blade has been the preferred weapon of Klingon warriors for centuries and is one of Kahless’s enduring contributions to Klingon culture. In legends it is said that Kahless created the bat’leth himself after journeying to the Kri’stak Volcano and tossing a lock of his hair into the roiling lava at its core. He then took the lock, now burning with the intensity of a star gone nova, and cooled it in the soothing waters of the Lake of Lusor before forging the resulting metal into a distinctive blade of his own design.

  Wielding this powerful new weapon, Kahless began eliminating his greatest enemies, including the malevolent tyrant Molor and the most formidable of the rival tribes, the Fek’lhri. Strengthened by those victories, Kahless then turned his attention to a far nobler purpose: building what would become the Klingon Empire. The sword itself has been lost to time, and while the legends surrounding the first emperor have expanded in number, scope, and whimsy over the centuries, the legacy of the Sword of Kahless is absolutely real and continues to serve as a symbol of unwavering Klingon strength and honor.

  DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

  * * *

  Just in case this has somehow escaped your notice: Klingons like to drink. Most of them, anyway, and those who don’t still like to have a good time. Because of that, finding a fun tavern or club to catch an evening drink is even easier than selecting a restaurant for dinner. There are hundreds of establishments scattered throughout the city, but the Veb and wejDIch Quarters are where you’ll find the real action. Some of the bars can get fairly rowdy, thou
gh, in keeping with the finest Klingon traditions, and the locals pull no punches—figuratively or literally.

  ‘IwlIj jachjaj

  Classic and modern music vie for supremacy at this rowdy club in the Veb Quarter on the city’s northwest side. Only here can you find opera played in one room while drinking songs dominate an adjacent chamber. Bloodwine, port, warnog, and bi’jaTik ale flow with abandon. It’s also the only place in the city where you’ll see nightly gin’tak throwing competitions. Everyone is invited to test their skill wielding these spears, which feature a knife blade at one end along with a blunt base that gives the weapon additional weight and power when used in close-quarter combat. Here, the goal is simple: Throw the gin’tak as far as you can. It’s rare for a non-Klingon to win the contest, but don’t let that stop you from giving it a go, as all enthusiastic competitors are welcomed.

  Votaq’s

  Though everything on the menu is delicious, locals come here for this revered eatery’s famous rokeg-blood pie. The primary ingredients of this delicacy are the flesh and thick, nutrient-rich blood of the rokeg, an amphibious predator indigenous to the River Skral that resembles the gharials of Trellus V (or an Earth crocodile) and can sometimes grow to a length exceeding five meters. It’s said that Emperor Kaldon, while still a young warrior living along the river in the ninth century, slew such a rokeg using only his d’k tahg knife as a means of providing food for his village. His people had lost their homes and farms to torrential rains and the resulting floods and mudslides. The meal that resulted from Kaldon’s courageous catch became a favorite repast for the remainder of his life and served as a reminder of his humble beginnings. In the generations since his reign, the dish has become a traditional meal during the Klingon Day of Honor. At Votaq’s, bakers arrive hours before dawn each day to prepare five dozen such pies, which are only sold by the slice, one per customer with no exceptions; and once they’re gone, you’re out of luck until the next day. Anyone attempting to buck the house rules gets to face the diner’s ill-tempered proprietor, Votaq himself, and if he decides you’re too much trouble, that’s when you meet his wife. Do yourself a favor, and enjoy your pie without the extra fuss.

  Kiretek’s Inn

  Gagh is one of a handful of Klingon foods that’s well known beyond the Empire’s borders. There are more than fifty different varieties of gagh bloodworms, and each is a unique delicacy. The type of animal blood the worms are fed as they are readied for consumption affects their taste, and not every variety of worm responds the same way to the blood it feasts on. It’s a skilled chef who can provide a diverse selection of well-prepared gagh that appeals to multiple palates. Kiretek is just such a chef, and his is the only restaurant in the city that offers the entire range. All but hidden within the Old Quarter’s garment district, this unassuming eatery is the destination of choice for many a gagh connoisseur. If you’re feeling adventurous, just remember that gagh is best when served and consumed live, and many Klingons won’t even consider eating cooked gagh. If you decide to follow the path of the purists, you’ll probably want a mug of the inn’s signature warnog to help eliminate any worms that survive the trip to your stomach. After all, it’s best to nip them in the bud before they attach themselves to your intestines. Bon appétit!

  LODGING

  * * *

  Accommodations are abundant within the city, ranging from quaint lodges and inns to state-of-the-art hotels with all the latest amenities. Though Klingons pride themselves on eschewing such luxury, that hasn’t stopped savvy locals from developing properties that cater to the planet’s growing tourism trade. No matter your physical requirements or desire for comfort, somewhere in the First City, there’s a bed for you.

  nagh Hap mebpa’mey

  For those of you seeking an authentic Klingon experience, you’ve come to the right place. Translated to Standard, nagh Hap mebpa’mey means “Flat Rock Hotel,” an indication of what you’re in for when you stay here. Instead of beds, guests sleep on stone slabs in keeping with Klingon tradition. The on-site restaurant features only local cuisine, including a wide variety of the live fare that so many Klingons relish. Be prepared for meals that cross the table to your plate.

  Hotel Jarantine

  A modern property on the inside, this hotel was converted from an ancient temple, which at one time was connected to the fortress that now serves as the Great Hall. Its proximity to the Hall makes it the preferred lodging for offworld diplomats, military leaders, and other prominent citizens during their stays on Qo’noS. The lowest level, located two stories below ground, was originally excavated as a secret underground shelter in the wake of the Hur’q invasion of Qo’noS and was used as a rally point for smuggling civilians out of the city. Today, it houses the expansive garden that provides vegetables and fruits for the hotel’s three restaurants.

  Riverfront Enclave

  Formerly a monastery for a small religious sect devoted to waiting for the promised return of Kahless from the afterlife, this collection of adobe brick cottages offers scenic views of the beautiful Qam-Chee River, which winds through the wejDIch and Qav Quarters on the city’s south side. The sect was dissolved decades ago, but its archives remain. Guests are invited to tour the monastery grounds, which are maintained for their historical significance by clerics from surrounding temples. The library contains numerous texts penned by monks who once called the enclave home.

  Several of the scrolls date back to the time of Kahless, offering one of the few surviving sources of accurate historical information from that period. Also housed here is one of the earliest known handwritten drafts of The Story of the Promise, which tells of Kahless’s return. Enclave Fifteen carries its own bit of local lore, as it was here that famed author K’Ratak secreted himself in order to write The Dream of the Fire, which would go on to become one of the most prominent novels in Klingon literature.

  THE CENTRAL PLAINS

  * * *

  MAP OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS

  GETTING AROUND

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  puH beQ qawmoHwI’mey

  Fire Springs

  qeylIS loS

  Na’boq’nI Hiking Trails

  baS raQwI’

  Siege of Jat’yln Pass Historical Site

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  Vikak Bog Racing

  Ma’deQ Clothiers

  DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

  jab’eghwI’ Qe’

  Ha’DlbaH

  The Tipsy Targ

  LODGING

  ylQong Inn

  SIDE TRIP: KHITOMER

  GETTING AROUND

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  Atrium of Reflection

  The Chamber of Voices

  Khitomer Peace Park

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  DINING

  Raktajino Café

  NOT HOME TO ANY MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS, the Central Plains region is a stretch of country occupying the middle portion of the planet’s supercontinent, acting as a natural buffer between the Kannaga and Tlhlngtuj mountain ranges that run north to south along the continent’s western and eastern reaches.

  In the time before airborne transportation, the Plains served as a trade corridor linking the First City with destinations such as Quin’lat and other villages and provinces to the north, with numerous small villages and settlements springing up along the major trade routes. The trains and other overland conveyances that linked these outposts became prime targets for marauders and bandits, as well as rogue tribes who continued to resist efforts to unite under the banner of the emerging Klingon Empire. Life in these “frontier towns” was, and remains, simple, with an emphasis on agriculture, hunting, and fishing, and even the arts. Despite the popular notion that Klingons die with their boots on, it’s not uncommon to encounter retired warriors in the Central Plains, seeking respite from a lifetime of service and battle and opting to live out their remaining years in peace.

  GETTING AROUND

  * * *

/>   There are hundreds of small villages scattered throughout the area, though most of them are little more than a handful of families living in clusters of simple homes. In order to shop and trade, residents generally travel to the larger communities of Jo’jahQ, Yinat, or Rys’toH. Moving between the different villages along the major trade route will require some form of overland or air transportation, but once you arrive at your destination, you will generally find that mag-rail stations, heliports, and other mass transit hubs are within walking distance. A good pair of hiking boots will serve you well during these excursions. Dining options may be limited depending on which area you are visiting, and accommodations will almost always involve traditional Klingon sleeping arrangements.