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Information
from Sector 001 |
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USF Species
Databank |
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The Klingons: History |
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Klingon History
Approx. 1300 years
ago the first Klingon geographical states formed. Prior to this time the
civilization of Klinzhai was a group of loosely assembled tribes held together
by the strength of individual leaders. Some of these early states were sea
based, hugh fleets of interconnected sea platforms, which eventually became
submerged cities. Early on there began the rivalry between the land based
dwellers (Komerex Klingon) and the sea based populations (Komerex dexiklingon).
This rivalry continues today between the Naval and Marine forces of the Empire.
The final war united the Klingon people when the Komerex dexiklingon set off
it's single nuclear device against the Komerex Klingon. This so enraged the
Komerex Klingon that they were able to rally and destroy the Komerex dexiklingon
before it could build another warhead. This led to a coalition of military
leaders that held power until approx. 300 years ago. At that time a science
officer in the newly formed space administration proposed the development of a
base station to orbit around Klinzhai. All other military leaders looked at each
others planetary holdings for conquest, not into the stars. The other leaders
laughed and ignored the scientist. However, by diverting his families funds, he
was able to build the space station and place it in orbit. Next he had everyone
involved in it's construction killed (over 2,000). Then he delivered his one
demand to the military council. Make him sole Emperor or suffer the consequences
of a matter/anti- explosion in close orbit. While the council members were
willing to risk it, their subordinates were not. The people put their leaders to
the sword and swore fealty to the new Emperor. What followed was one of the
bloodiest purges in Klingon history. His original name was lost during the many
"official" revisions of Klingon history. The name he took upon ascension of the
throne has never been forgotten. He took the name of Kahless (Qey'liS), in Honor
of the Greatest Klingon whoever lived. He died with his hand tied to his command
chair two decades later in a fleet action that ended the first Klingon/Romulan
war. To honor his memory the position of Emperor was replaced with that of High
Council Leader.
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The Naked Stars...
Naked Stars: Since Klingons view themselves as the greatest lifeforms in the
universe the concept of worship another entity is not very strong. Klingons
control their own destinies and answer to no power (other then the Emperor) for
their actions. The Empire acknowledges the power that religion has over other
cultures but, it is not so prevalent or powerful in the Klingon experience. As
close to religion as the Empire comes is the belief that the stars see all. This
allows for a belief in a higher form of Justice and eventual reward/punishment
that is sometimes lacking in contemporary Klingon society. Due to heavy cloud
cover a clear night is rare on Qo'noS and the stars are held in a certain
reverence. Part of the following poem gives an example;
... and though I had slain a thousand foes less
one, The thousandth knife had found my liver; The thousandth enemy said to
me, "Now you shall die, and none shall know." And the fool looking down
believed this, Not seeing, above his shoulder, the naked stars, Each one
remembering."
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The Vengeance Flies at Morning
The guns are hot, the hull is ringing, The
engines sing the sound of triumph; And every one aboard awaits A prize
upon the high horizon. Hand and weapon! Heart and power! Cry it with the
voice of the Empire! Victory and prize plunder! Vengeance flies at
morning! And though the cold brittles the flesh, The chain of duty cannot
be broken, For the chain is forged in the heart's own fire Which cold
cannot extinguish
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Kahless the Unforgettable
Kahless the Unforgettable was a Klingon mythic historic figure, a great
warrior who united the Klingon Empire some 1,500 years ago. The story of Kahless
is the cornerstone of Klingon mythology and religion. Legend has it that the
messianic Kahless fought the tyrant Molor, whom he killed with the first
Bat'telh or sword of honor. Another of the epic tales of Kahless relates how he
fought his brother, Morath, for twelve days and twelve nights because Morath had
lied and bought shame to his family. Klingons believe that warriors who die
honorably join Kahless, who awaits them in Sto-Vo-Kor, the afterlife. Just
before his death Kahless pointed to a star and promised that he would one day
return there. Klingon clerics established a monastery on Boreth, a planet
orbiting that star, where they waited for centuries for Kahless to return. In
the 24th century, the clerics of Boreth devised an elaborate scheme whereby
preserved cellular material from Kahless was cloned to produce a replica of the
original Kahless. The replica was programmed of with all of the ancient
teachings and parables, and actually believed he was the real Kahless. The
deception was quickly discovered, but Worf, son of Mogh, pointed out that the
new Kahless could be considered the rightful heir to the throne. With support of
High Council leader Gowron, the new Kahless was installed in 2369 as ceremonial
Emperor of the Klingon people. Another copy of Kahless was created in 2269 when
the Excalbians were attempting to study the human concepts of "Good" and "Evil".
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The Bat'telh
The Bat'telh is the traditional sword of honor resembling a meter-long
two-ended scimitar. The Bat'telh was carried along the inside of the arm and
controlled by two handholds located on the outside edge of the weapon.
Oral history of the sword holds that it was forged when Kahless the
Unforgettable dropped a lock of his hair in the lava from the Kri'stak Volcano
and then plunged the burning lock into the lake of Lusar and twisted it into a
blade. After forging the weapon, he used it to kill the tyrant Molor and named
it the "bat'telh", sword of honor. The tale of the sword was never recorded in
the sacred texts. Rather it was passed down verbally among the High Clerics. The
retelling of the tale was to be test of Kahless's return, as only he and the
High Clerics would know the story.
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The Story of Promise
After he had united the Homeworld to form the Klingon Empire, Kahless one day
said it was time for him to depart. When the people begged him not to leave,
Kahless said he was going ahead to Sto-Vo-Kor, and promised to return one day.
He pointed to a star in the heavens and told the people to look for him there
"On that point of light." Klingon clerics later established a monastery on the
Planet Boreth, orbiting that star, to await his return.
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