Star Trek: The Klingon Empire Read online

  THE CENTRAL PLAINS: A WORLD APART

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  [First published in the 2291 Edition]

  One thing I have always tried to do, first as a member of the High Council and later after I ascended to the position of chancellor, is showcase the many sides of Klingon society. For too long, the Empire has been viewed as nothing more than a fascist military state, interested in nothing but war and conquest. That has certainly been true for the majority of the Empire’s existence, and our reputation as a force of great power is well earned. However, there are many other facets of our civilization that rarely receive notice, even now that we have moved beyond the outdated ways of simply seizing from others for the glory of the Empire.

  For example, there are the people of the Central Plains. Here, distant from the political spectacle that can consume our leadership in the First City, and far away even from the industrial frenzy that so characterizes Krennla, Quin’lat, and other cities vital to our global and interstellar economy, is a segment of Klingon life seldom seen by outsiders. You’ll find a host of farmers and artists and other skilled craftspeople in this region, proud of the work they do and the lives they lead. There are no military bases or garrisons here, nor fleets of warships staged for battle. Instead, in the Central Plains, one is better able to appreciate the gifts our world gives us while respectfully taking from the land only that which is needed to live. However, we Klingons in the region are still able to seek adventure and pit ourselves against the challenges nature itself provides. Why venture to the stars in search of enemies, real or perceived, when our planet stands ready to put our hunting and fighting prowess to the ultimate test?

  There are those who might argue that the region and its rural culture are, by their very nature, out of place on Qo’noS, but the Klingons who call the Central Plains home treasure their heritage with the same passion as any warrior. Their ancestors fought to make a life for themselves and their families, holding themselves to the same standards of honor and courage espoused by our people throughout history. As our relationship with the Federation and other interstellar powers continues to evolve, it is my fervent hope that more outsiders can come to appreciate the breadth of qualities Klingon society has to offer, and the Central Plains exemplifies this cultural diversity.

  —Gorkon, Chancellor of the Klingon High Council

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

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  While “no frills” might not accurately describe the Central Plains region, it’s worth noting that you’re not going to find much in the way of tourist-friendly points of interest in this part of the world. However, those with an appreciation for history will find plenty to draw their attention given this area’s role in the advancement of Klingon society. There also are a number of historical sites that bore witness to the planet’s violent past, including the chaos surrounding the Empire’s pre-history. You’ll find that while the locals are dedicated to the preservation of such sites and artifacts, they’re not terribly interested in showcasing that aspect of their homeland. Instead, be ready for a tour of the latest crop from their pe’bot orchard!

  puH beQ qawmoHwI’mey

  In Federation Standard, “Reminders of the Plains.” The only museum of its type in the entire region is located in the village of Jo’jahQ, which lies near the halfway point on the main overland route between the First City and Quin’lat. Here you’ll find a small yet well-tended exhibit highlighting the history of the area and the struggles of the region’s original settlers, many of whom came from tribes opposed to Kahless and his attempts to form an Empire. Still others were from communities caught between tribes more interested in defeating each other than with the innocent victims who became collateral damage. Once Kahless succeeded in his efforts to unify many of the tribes who called this region home, war began shifting away from the territory. This eventually opened up opportunities to expand trade from the capital toward other isolated provinces. The museum’s most overt nod to the region’s sometimes brutal past lies in a subterranean chamber where the skulls and weapons of enemy fighters from rival tribes still hang on the stone walls.

  Fire Springs

  Among the area’s more closely guarded secrets are the hot springs located near the small village of Yinat. Fewer than one hundred people live in the community, which receives the bulk of its goods and trade from Jo’jahQ, one hundred or so kilometers to the south. At the fire springs, channels carved through volcanic rock carry water upward from the underground rivers into more than a dozen natural pools. Visitors are welcome to partake of the springs, which are said to have an excellent restorative effect on the body. The remains of a small, primitive community tucked into the neighboring foothills are from an earlier attempt to settle the area, perhaps in a bid to control the water source. During cooler months, the springs are a popular gathering place for the locals as well as friends from the surrounding villages. It’s a favored location for the Bre’Nan, a ritual that’s performed prior to a wedding ceremony, during which the matriarch of the groom’s family provides formal approval for her son’s bride to join his House.

  qeylIS loS

  This monastery, located several kilometers east of Jo’jahQ and established 1,500 years ago, is staffed by clerics who live on the grounds in a cluster of small hand-carved brick buildings and regard themselves as the “guardians of prophecy.” Abiding by the teachings of Kahless and the promise he made to one day return from Sto-Vo-Kor to lead the Klingon people, the monks established the monastery directly beneath the star that the first emperor prophesized would be the location of his reappearance. Following the arrival of Kahless’s clone in 2369, just eighteen years ago, the clerics on Qo’noS continue to await the return of the “real” Kahless. The monastery’s mission has evolved throughout the years to include historical preservation of their work, and visitors will find handwritten texts dating back centuries that chronicle the monastery’s teachings as well as the challenges they sometimes face trying to spread their message to nonbelievers.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  THE STORY OF THE PROMISE

  One of the greatest legends in all of Klingon lore, The Story of the Promise is the tale of Kahless the Unforgettable’s vow that he would come back to the world of the living in order to rule the Empire once again. As the story goes, he pointed to a distant star and proclaimed, “Seek me there, for there I shall return.”

  Long before the notion of spaceflight and journeying to other worlds became a reality, some Klingons construed Kahless’s declaration to mean they should venture into the wilderness of Qo’noS, seeking the spot beneath that star and guarding it until the day of the emperor’s return. There are many who believe it was this quest that fueled the original migration into the Central Plains and continued to attract many faithful acolytes for generations. However, many years later, sacred texts were unearthed that asserted Kahless had chosen the precise location of his return: the lava caves on the planet Boreth. There has since been much debate on this topic as to the veracity of such claims and their sources, and the arguments over the first emperor’s intentions are unlikely to be settled any time soon. Regardless, The Story of the Promise remains perhaps the most recounted and revered legend in all of Klingon history.

  Na’boq’nI Hiking Trails

  According to lore, this network of trails and paths winding through the foothills was used by the Na’boq’nI, a tribe of savage Klingon nomads who brutally opposed early attempts at expanding trade through the Central Plains region. Using the trails, some of them little more than narrow depressions caused by years of foot travel, Na’boq’nI warriors were able to move with startling speed to flank and ambush cargo convoys traversing the area. In modern times, a number of these paths now crisscross the region close to the larger settlements. Jo’jahQ in particular has a number of these smaller paths that give hikers access to secluded streams and ponds that are ideal for swimming and afternoon picnics; they also lead to caves in the foothills that are ripe for exploring. However, th
e locals recommend traveling in groups and only during daylight hours, as it’s not uncommon to stumble across a stray naQ ’er, or “brush devil,” after sunset. These small predators prefer to hunt under cover of night, their dark, leatherlike hides allowing them to blend with the forest undergrowth. Despite their size, brush devils are aggressive and will use their long, bladelike teeth to attack when threatened, so be sure to give them a wide berth.

  baS raQwI’

  “Metal Handlers.” Venture to this dilapidated metal shack just beyond the western boundary of Rys’toH, a small fishing community forty kilometers south of Jo’jahQ. There you can watch Klingon blacksmiths forge tools, weapons, and other implements from wrought iron, steel, and other metals. Day in and day out, they toil in the face of the withering heat generated by a unique aqueduct system that channels geothermal energy from deep beneath the nearby Tlhlngtuj Mountains. All items are created using traditional handcrafting methods that have been employed by the people of the Plains for uncounted generations. Though the shop’s main priority is serving the needs of the community, in recent years the workers have started catering to tourists, and now baS raQwI’ employs two blacksmiths just for the purpose of turning out various Klingon symbols and emblems for sale. However, please be warned that requests for bat’leth replicas will be turned down—often rudely. The fashioning of most Klingon weapons isn’t something typically shared with offworlders, and that’s especially true of the bat’leth. The process is enshrouded in as much mystery and legend as the blade’s origins, and the art and craft of its forging is almost never demonstrated for non-Klingons. However, other popular items are available for purchase, including metal flutes used to attract the attention of mIl’oDmey, or “saber bears,” during hunts in the surrounding mountains and foothills. If you end up buying one, we suggest not actually using it until you’re well away from this region.

  Siege of Jat’yln Pass Historical Site

  The scars from one of the pivotal battles of the Empire’s Second Dynasty still run deep in this stretch of jungle tucked within the foothills of the Kannaga Mountains. It was here, during the last years of the Second Dynasty, that famed military commander Kam’pok led a party of Klingon foot soldiers on a surprise assault against the forces of Kovatch, the general of a rival army and leader of the House of Zin’zeQ, who attempted a coup d’état to usurp Emperor Reclaw. Kam’pok’s strategy of deploying a small, rapidly moving force against a larger enemy contingent was unheard of in that day and age, and many of his superiors scoffed at the notion. Paying the doubters no heed, Kam’pok put his plan into motion, striking hard and fast while employing bold, unconventional tactics that gained immediate success against Kovatch’s numerically superior forces. Despite his own death in face-to-face combat with Kovatch, Kam’pok’s strategy was successful. The uprising was quelled and Reclaw held on to his throne, at least for a time. The battle continues to be cited as a timeless example of audacious military tactics and is still taught as part of the small-unit combat curriculum at the veS DuSaQ military academy. A small glade that marks Jat’yln Pass, where the bulk of the fierce ground battle took place, is maintained as a historical site, forever marked for preservation so that future generations can learn and appreciate the fearlessness of one Klingon commander who dared to defy convention.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  qeS’a’: THE KLINGON ART OF WAR

  That Klingons spend an inordinate amount of time fighting and training to fight goes without saying. Often overlooked is just how much time and energy Klingon soldiers devote to the study of warfare.

  Every warrior, regardless of rank or position, is required each year to revisit the principles and lessons contained in the seminal volume qeS’a’: The Klingon Art of War. Believed by some to be written by Kahless himself, the truth is that the author of this timeless text remains unknown. Despite this lingering mystery, qeS’a’ is widely regarded as one of the cornerstone texts on the proper conduct of war.

  Written as a military text, other parties—Klingon and offworlder alike—have found ways to adapt the sacred teachings into other walks of life, such as business and politics. In the centuries since its discovery and initial publication, qeS’a’ has remained readily available, and its lessons continue to be scrutinized, debated, argued, and fought over by historians, scholars, and warriors.

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

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  Farmers, tailors, craftspeople, and artists tend to drive the economy in most of the smaller settlements along the Central Plains’ major trade corridors. Although the region also receives a steady stream of imported goods, you won’t enjoy the same broad selection you’d find in the major cities. Don’t worry if you don’t have money to splurge; bartering works just as well in most cases, and even volunteering to help a merchant move crates or pallets of goods from storehouse to market square can earn you a bushel of fruit or some fresh pIpyuS pach (also known as pipius claw) for lunch. Entertainment options might seem limited at first, but as you explore the area you’ll realize that each of the villages has its own charm. The people of Yinat take their evening festivities to the narrow streets outside their homes and well into the night, while the villagers of Rys’toH prefer mid-morning merriment after local fishermen catch their daily quota of jytrios, the large eel-like creatures that call the nearby Bro’tahg River home. Visitors are reminded to respect such community customs when visiting these areas.

  Vikak Bog Racing

  The jungle swamps that envelop the foothills south of the Kannaga Mountains have, for centuries, proven to be challenging terrain for hunters and trackers. Generations ago, outlaw bands would evade law enforcement by hiding deep within the thick undergrowth, and it’s said that Commander Kam’pok also used the unforgiving landscape to his advantage during his legendary defeat of General Kovath’s forces at the Siege of Jat’yln Pass. Today the region still serves as a prime hunting ground, but also a place for a unique brand of overland racing. Locals employ Vikak—oversized, six-wheeled all-terrain vehicles—to navigate a five-hundred-kilometer course through the dense jungle and pitiless marshlands over a three-day period. Along the way, the two-person driving teams face not only the dangers the land provides in the way of terrain and predatory animals, but also traps, obstacles, and even ambushes sprung by designated “enemy marauders”—Klingon troublemakers employed to add an extra element of danger to the race. Visitors are invited to observe the race, either as part of a special tour group or—if they’re feeling bold—as the partner of an experienced Klingon driver.

  Ma’deQ Clothiers

  The largest supplier of imported and locally made garments and accessories in the region is found here in this simple, unassuming shop in Jo’jahQ’s northern quarter. The shop’s proprietor, B’ervath, presents the work of around three dozen local tailors and seamstresses who provide their creations on consignment, allowing shoppers to peruse a variety of styles in addition to more conventional clothing brought in from the larger cities. Whether you’re shopping for a warm robe to protect against the elements, leather hunting leggings that’ll protect you from the teeth of a saber bear, or a sheath for your d’k tahg knife, Ma’deQ has you covered. B’ervath is known to haggle once in a while, too, so don’t be surprised if she makes you an offer on the shirt you’re wearing.

  DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

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  If you’re looking for fine dining, you’re in the wrong place and should probably take one of the mag-rails back to the city. That’s not to say you won’t find good cooking out here. The locals take pride in their various twists on Klingon cuisine, and a few have even become interested in creating offworld dishes in a bid to attract visitors. Be prepared for a lot of big meals that involve plenty of meat (some of it cooked, if you’re lucky) and heavy starches. You’ll find that most of the eateries in the various towns and villages of the Central Plains source their ingredients locally, so as often as not there will be just one entree on the menu, consisting of meat from whatever
game animals were successfully hunted that day.

  jab’eghwI’ Qe’

  An eclectic selection of cuisine characterizes this open-air buffet that has become one of Yinat’s most enduring traditions. There’s no better way to finish off a day at the Fire Springs than with a healthy repast from one of the eight different vendors who set up shop here. It’s a sure bet that you’ll be lured by the smell of fresh-baked Jlnjoq bread, and it’s not uncommon to find a freshly slain targ on a spit over a low fire, the heat just enough to bring out the beast’s natural flavor without actually fully cooking the meat. Wash all of it down with a mug of homebrewed warnog, which is available by the barrel.

  Ha’DIbaH

  Simply put? “Meat.” You won’t find a single vegetable or piece of fruit anywhere, not even as decoration, in this small, ramshackle cafe near the Rys’toH village square. Rumor has it the occasional piece of bread infiltrates the premises, but there has yet to be a confirmed sighting. The meat-lover’s menu runs heavy with the likes of pipius claw and jytrios eel, llngta’ breast, krada legs doused in the hottest grapok sauce we’ve ever tasted, and—of course—gagh in its many flavorful forms. Heart of targ is a specialty item, only served during holidays and festivals. Wash everything down with the cafe’s signature ale that’s crafted on the premises, or dunk your head in one of the many, many available casks of bloodwine.