Star Trek: The Klingon Empire Read online

  Thankfully, there was my grandfather.

  A worker in the primary factory in Krennla, he was a loyal, diligent Klingon who never missed a day’s work. He also saw to it that I never felt like an outsider. Thanks to him, I came to appreciate the city and its history, and the role it played in the Empire’s technological advancements. I also learned how the Klingon people opened our borders and arms to those who were once our enemy. As someone who often feels like a bridge between two races, I was grateful to my grandfather for showing me the best aspects of Klingon society.

  When visiting Krennla, many tourists are naturally drawn to the Baldi’maj District, which is more upscale thanks to the older, richer families living there; however, I never cared for that part of the city. For me, the downtown district is where Krennla comes alive. This is a part of the city that never really goes to sleep, and the hustle of activity is constant—you can shop, or eat, or find a drink at any hour of the day or night. T’jobhaV Park, located in the city center, is beautiful at night, with a waterfall and streams that wind through the wooded areas almost making you forget that you’re surrounded by high-rise towers. To this day, it’s still my favorite place to visit.

  It may not be as ostentatious or wrapped within the veils of history as the First City or other prominent destinations on Qo’noS, but don’t let its workmanlike demeanor fool you. Krennla has a charm you won’t find anywhere else.

  —Lieutenant Commander B’Elanna Torres, U.S.S. Voyager

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  * * *

  Though some might dismiss Krennla as a largely working-class city with little regard for cultural pursuits, the city is home to numerous historical locations and other significant points of interest that are well worth exploring. Take at least part of a day to wander around the Baldi’maj District, located on the city’s western outskirts, where upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment options cater to the city’s more affluent residents.

  House of Varnak

  One of the oldest and most influential families on the planet, the House of Varnak, made its home in Krennla, located in what later became the Kenta District on the city’s south side. The House’s reign continued for nearly seven hundred years but came to an abrupt end in 2375, after its patriarch, Koradan, made the unwise decision to support the overthrow of Chancellor Martok. The coup Koradan supported was launched by Martok’s son, Morjod, and when it failed, Martok saw to it that the House of Varnak was abolished and every member of the family executed. The magnificent citadel that was once the family home has since been converted into a museum dedicated to memorializing the coup attempt and the heavy price paid by those who participated in the uprising. It also serves a second purpose, standing as a warning to anyone who might consider similar foolhardy action against a chancellor or the High Council.

  Cultural Outreach Center

  In perhaps one of the most overt attempts by locals to showcase the culture of the Klingon people to the ever-growing numbers of tourists who visit Krennla each year, this visitors center and its various programs and initiatives have been a resounding success with offworlders. Located near the northern edge of T’jobhaV Park in the heart of the city, the center features guided tours through more than a dozen exhibits that showcase various turning points in Klingon history. The milestones represented here include the reign of Kahless and the growth of the Empire beyond Qo’noS; first contact and the Empire’s continued strife with the Federation; the planet’s struggles in the face of alien occupation; global environmental calamity in the aftermath of the Praxis moon explosion; and the Dominion war and the modern era of Chancellor Martok. The information is presented without flourish, shunning embellishment or propaganda in favor of a straightforward recounting that even covers parts of Klingon history that offworlders might find unsettling. This is particularly true with respect to the sections devoted to the expansion of the Empire through war and conquest. Daily demonstrations of various ceremonies include the Rite of Ascension (see page opposite). If you happen to be visiting during the midday meal break, you may be able to witness or even participate in the Plea for the Dead, a prayer ritual conducted in memory of those who have left this world for Sto-Vo-Kor. The ceremony pays respect to deceased family members and close comrades, recognizing the sacrifices made by these loved ones and assuring their place in the afterlife.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  THE RITE OF ASCENSION

  Even in a society that places such importance on military might, not every Klingon opts to become a soldier of the Empire. In order to begin that process, one must formally declare this intention in one of the most important and revered rituals in all of Klingon culture, the Rite of Ascension. This custom marks the first steps of a Klingon child who has chosen to follow the warrior’s path.

  The rite is composed of two ceremonies, the first held when a child reaches adolescence (approximately thirteen Earth years), at which time they declare their intention to become a warrior. This is accomplished by lighting a kor’tova, the candle’s flame signifying the fire of the warrior’s heart. Ten years after this initial ceremony, the child must then complete the final part of the ritual, the Second Rite of Ascension, in which he or she faces a gauntlet of warriors, each wielding painstiks. These large staffs, modeled after weapons once used by ancient Klingon warriors, are fitted with emitters on each end that deliver powerful, agonizing electrical charges and are used to strike candidates in order to test their courage and strength.

  It’s definitely not common for offworlders to participate in this particular ritual, although exceptions have been made when a Klingon requests the rite on behalf of a non-Klingon comrade or family member believed deserving of recognition as a warrior in the eyes of the Empire. In the unlikely event you find yourself taking part in this ceremony, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Remember and respect the honor you’re being shown. Just being here is an acknowledgment that you are worthy to stand alongside true Klingon warriors.

  • When you arrive at the columns of waiting warriors, be sure to properly recite your declaration: “Today I am a warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the River of Blood.” It’s great if you can say all of this in tlhIngan Hol, as that will show those observing the ceremony that you’re giving full consideration to the ritual and Klingon customs.

  • As you advance through the “gauntlet,” stop abreast of each of the four pairs of guards. Stand with confidence. Look straight ahead. Show no weakness.

  • It’ll only last a moment, but the painstiks will definitely hurt. Different physiologies react in varying ways to the incredible shock the weapons inflict, but for most species the sensation is temporary, and there will be no lasting physical damage. Please check with your doctor before participating in the Rite of Ascension.

  • After the second and third pairs of warriors administer their painstiks, you’ll still have lines to speak: “The battle is mine. I crave only the blood of my enemy. The bile of the vanquished flows over my hands.”

  Only after successfully completing this final challenge can a Klingon warrior truly be accepted by his or her peers.

  veS DuSaQ

  The ceremonial name for the Klingon military’s elite command academy translates to “School of War.” Tucked into the foothills east of the city, it is within the confines of this storied institution that the minds and bodies of Klingon warriors are molded. After uncounted generations of secrecy, veS DuSaQ has opened its doors to outsiders so that tourists with an interest in military history and culture can have the chance to witness firsthand some of the most intense, grueling training ever devised. Even though the tour is comprehensive, you’ll get only a taste of what candidates endure during their time here. For nearly six months, enrollees are inundated with classroom instruction on numerous topics, including military conduct, skills, protocols, and history. Study is combined with physical training, obstacle and endurance courses, weapons qualification, and armed and unarmed combat. The train
ing, conducted with minimal safety standards, is as brutal as anything a soldier might expect to face on a battlefield or aboard a ship caught in the throes of space combat—a class of one hundred cadets can expect a casualty rate of nearly forty percent. Those who survive this extended trial are rewarded with commissions as officers in the Klingon Defense Force. During tours, interaction between visitors and candidates is strictly prohibited, but instructors and guides are on hand to answer every question. At the end of your tour, you’ll share a meal with a cadre of instructors at the academy’s mess hall. We recommend avoiding the klongat and gravy on toast.

  Monument to Kravokh

  This striking monument is dedicated to the memory of the chancellor who presided over the Klingon High Council during Krennla’s period of transformation into a center of industrial strength during the early twenty-fourth century. The site features an oversized bronze statue of Kravokh standing watch at the center of an expansive botanical garden just south of T’jobhaV Park near the city center. Here, trees and other flora from around Qo’noS are tended with exquisite care, symbolizing the prosperity all Klingons enjoyed under the chancellor’s rule, the first stable period of growth and wealth since the loss of the planet’s moon, Praxis, in 2293. Unfortunately, several decades later, Kravokh’s failure to anticipate a disastrous Romulan attack on the Klingon colony world Narendra III resulted in his removal from power and death at the hands of successor, K’mpec. An unflattering yet accurate recounting of these events can be found on a smaller monument in another section of T’jobhaV Park. Despite his later dishonor, Kravokh’s leadership during the planet’s most difficult struggles in modern times has earned him continued goodwill, expressed in this modest yet lasting tribute.

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  * * *

  You’ll find the vast majority of Krennla’s shopping options in the more upscale Baldi’maj District that dominates the city’s western half. The affluent residents in this region have discriminating tastes, demanding the best of locally crafted and imported goods. Dedicated cargo shuttles deliver daily shipments of foods and merchandise from the finest and most chic offworld vendors to local merchants. Naturally, you can expect to spend a little extra in this area of the city.

  Kas’cA’s Market

  An unassuming boutique sandwiched between two larger shopping outlets east of the city center, this family-owned store has been in business since Krennla’s earliest days and retains the name of the patriarch who established it. Dealing in imported as well as locally crafted goods, the brusque yet helpful staff is always ready to assist you with your selection of jewelry, fragrances, and other gifts from conquered and colonized worlds throughout the Empire. Whether you’re looking for the hide of a saber bear to fashion a new winter coat, a bottle of Rir’itaj brandy from Muldor IV or the bulbs from the restorative vinadi herb plant that can only be found in the highest reaches of Kang’s Summit, chances are Kas’cA’s has them. This is also one of the few places on the planet where you can find spices and gemstones from Khitomer, Boreth, Kessik IV, and even Rura Penthe.

  The Ballads of Durall

  The Le’Daqh Theater in the Baldi’maj District’s northern end hosts nightly performances of this celebrated Klingon drama. Durall, a legendary warrior who lived during the eleventh century, was said to have ventured across the oceans of Qo’noS to faraway lands on a noble quest assigned to him by the emperor. The ballads chronicle his many adventures, several of which are no doubt heavily embellished—if they even happened at all—as he seeks to retrieve prized items and other artifacts that were lost to time during generations of conflict. On his travels, he encounters a variety of foes, beasts, and creatures of the sea. The Ballads of Durall has been a staple of Klingon theater since its initial publication six centuries ago, and translations of this seminal work into other languages have made it popular on planets as diverse as Ferenginar, Bolarus IX, and Cestus III.

  DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

  * * *

  The people of Krennla work hard, play hard, and eat well. Very well. Some of the best food on the planet is found here—everything from elegant multicourse event dining to whatever unidentified slop can be thrown into a mug or bowl. If you leave this city with an empty belly, it’s your own fault. Forget eating two- or three-day old pipius claw here. Instead, expect to find the freshest catch brought in each day from the prime fishing grounds of the BIQ’a’dung Ocean near the planet’s northern pole. The bloodwine offered in several of the restaurants has been fermenting in secret wineries for centuries, and includes thousands of barrels protected from destruction centuries ago during the Hur’q invasion and occupation. The nighttime entertainment options are also in keeping with the city’s character. You’ll find no shortage of loud taverns, games of chance, demonstrations of fighting prowess or feats of strength, and live music. Yes, that means opera. These are the sorts of things that must be experienced firsthand in order to be fully appreciated. Enjoy!

  nItlhroS’ey

  Forget upscale dining. Anchoring the Kenta District’s northeast corner, this joint doesn’t even offer silverware. Shrug off uncertainty and dig into generous portions of gagh, and be sure to get to it while it’s still moving. The garbat meat—marinated for a week in its own blood before being served—is a house specialty of Hagh’dal, the restaurant’s self-appointed “master chef.” It’s also doused in enough peppadugh spice to set off smoke alarms, so you’ll probably want to keep the water and ale handy. Lots of it.

  Vokar’s Targ House

  With cafeteria-style service and surly employees behind the counter, one might wonder how this family-owned joint, located west of the veS DuSaQ academy, has stayed in business for more than a century. It’s certainly a popular destination for cadets enjoying rare furloughs from their training and looking to escape the academy’s no-frills dining facility, but the main reason for the restaurant’s success is that the food is simply incredible. Vokar’s specializes in one thing: heart of targ. Prepared daily and served in portions that spill off the plates flung at you by the line workers, this singular menu item is without peer anywhere in the city. The only thing to drink is bloodwine, and you serve yourself from Vokar’s seemingly inexhaustible racks of barrels. Locals come from kilometers around to feast, with lines stretching down the street during peak midday and evening hours. Get here early, because the cooks only prepare what’s sold to them by game hunters the prior evening. Once the day’s catch is gone, the staff kicks out the diners so they can close up and do it all over again the next day.

  ’uSqan Sargh

  In Federation Standard, “The Iron Sark.” One of several restaurants and taverns on the Baldi’maj District’s south side specializing primarily in human fare, the Horse offers a full bar and is open around the clock. It’s operated by Stahj and Esotoq, a pair of Klingon brothers who’ve been in business for more than three decades. They do their best to whip up the bland, flavorless blobs of burnt meat that many humans tend to favor. All entrees are made to order without replicators, and the brothers welcome all challenges to their ability to create even the most eccentric Earth delicacy. Chicken-fried steak, haggis, Mongolian stir-fry, chop suey; you name it, the brothers can usually throw it together. In thirty years, they’ve received only one request that stumped them: shrimp étouffée. Their later attempts to put a Klingon spin on the recipe, substituting pipius for the shrimp, also ended in disaster and to this day neither brother will discuss this stain on their culinary honor.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  APPRECIATING THE FINAL REFLECTION

  It’s easy to forget that some of the most engaging literature of the past several centuries has come to us courtesy of the Klingon Empire. Classics such as The Dream of the Fire, Sto-Vo-Kor Lost, and The Ridgeless Warriors are routinely listed among the most well-known Klingon works. However, when it comes to Klingon-centric novels, many readers are surprised to learn that one of the most celebrated titles in this genre, The Final Reflection, was actually writ
ten by a human.

  A Starfleet officer and cultural anthropologist in the twenty-third century, author J. M. Ford underwent surgery to alter his appearance so that he could pass for a Klingon. He then spent two years living in Krennla with the family of a sympathetic Klingon scientist, Bar’nhaHt, while penning The Final Reflection. This seminal work of fiction came about after several unsuccessful attempts to chronicle the actual events surrounding the Babel crisis, a covert military confrontation between the Empire and the Federation. His efforts to uncover the true story thwarted at every turn, Ford instead decided to take what information he had been able to glean and present it as a novel, filtered through the life and experiences of Krenn, a fictional Klingon captain who finds himself caught up in events that threaten to plunge the Empire and the Federation into interstellar war. Ford named his central character in tribute to the city that had been his temporary home.

  A best seller when first published on Earth, the novel earned critical praise across the Federation and even notice from within the Empire. More than a century after its original publication, The Final Reflection continues to gain new admirers. It’s a standard entry on Starfleet’s reading list for all officers, and in 2345 it was finally included as part of the curriculum at the veS DuSaQ military academy.