Star Trek: The Klingon Empire Read online

  LODGING

  * * *

  There are plenty of hotels in the city covering a wide selection of price ranges, and most of these establishments—particularly those located in the Kenta District or closer to the city center—offer “nontraditional bedding” for various offworlder physiologies. If you’re in town during a commencement ceremony at the veS DuSaQ military academy, rooms at most hotels in the area tend to fill up quickly.

  Gejal’toH

  One of the first inns to mix traditional decor with a bit of contemporary finesse, the Gejal’toH caters to Klingons and offworlders alike, with rooms on each floor furnished to break with convention. Each of the hotel’s ninety-five suites offers a private balcony with a magnificent view of the Baldi’maj District. Take a walk into the hotel’s private na’ran groves and pick your own bushel of the sweet-tasting, pulpy fruit. While Klingons don’t normally enjoy drinking the juice derived from na’rans, it is a popular cooking ingredient used to enhance the flavor of rokeg-blood pie.

  ’engmey joj

  Translated as, “Area Between the Clouds,” this hotel holds the distinction of commanding by far the highest point of elevation in the city. It occupies the upper ten floors of the Zabel Tower, which rises 1,800 meters from ground level near the city center, a height more than double that of the tallest surrounding buildings. It was designed and constructed in the early part of the century by Mo’gret, patriarch of the House of IjepoQ, who decided to abandon what he considered the tedious environs of the Baldi’maj District in favor of the more energetic lifestyle to be found downtown. The structure itself is the only one of its kind on the planet, requiring artificial gravity assistance sensors and force fields to hold it steady. Embracing a cosmopolitan flair, the rooms here are extravagantly furnished while still evoking traditional tenets of Klingon culture. Offworlders (and anyone else) who can get past the hotel’s unconventional construction will enjoy unrivaled, spectacular views of the city and the regions beyond.

  SIDE TRIP: RURA PENTHE

  * * *

  Once known throughout the Galaxy as “the alien’s graveyard,” Rura Penthe occupies a storied place in Klingon lore. Located in an isolated region of the Empire and well away from Qo’noS, Rura Penthe was considered to be one of the harshest prisons in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants during its period of full operation. When boasting a much larger and more dangerous inmate population during the height of its service, the planetoid was its own best defense against escape attempts. Rugged terrain and subfreezing temperatures on the surface made it inhospitable for all but the hardiest of life-forms. As a result, the prison was located underground.

  Efficient and industrious, the prison functioned as a massive slave-labor camp, with inmates working in the planetoid’s vast network of subterranean dilithium mines, excavating the valuable ore for use by the Klingon military. Those sent here usually had no hope of parole or reprieve, instead only the grim promise of toiling under bitter working conditions with little chance of long-term survival. When dilithium stores began to decline, most of the prison’s population was moved to other facilities, leaving behind only a small cadre of inmates and guards to oversee a reduced, automated mining process. However, as tourism within the Empire began to increase, Rura Penthe’s place in Klingon history all but demanded that it be made available to visitors.

  If you’re visiting from Qo’noS, a tour of Rura Penthe will require at least two full days, including roundtrip transportation to and from the planetoid. All arrivals and departures are conducted via prison personnel transport, though tourists receive far better treatment onboard than inmates would. Be sure you get on the right shuttle.

  Transports dock within an underground hangar complex, and, once inside, groups are guided on tours throughout the rest of the facility. Although areas where inmates live and work are strictly off-limits, observation galleries and enclosed connecting walkways afford visitors a unique glimpse into this mysterious inner sanctum. Tour groups move quickly and on a tight schedule, as the facility admits only a limited number of visitors at any one time. The walking tour naturally ends at the prison gift shop, where all of the available knickknacks are handcrafted on-site by the inmate population.

  One highlight of the tour is a permanent monument to one of the only prisoners who managed to thwart Rura Penthe’s notorious reputation for being escape-proof. Legendary Starfleet captain James T. Kirk, who in 2293 was briefly incarcerated here after being falsely accused of assassinating Chancellor Gorkon of the Klingon High Council, successfully broke out of the subterranean mine and endured the planetoid’s unforgiving surface conditions until rescued by his ship, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-A. As the story of his amazing feat continued to circulate over the years, and the details became increasingly embellished with each retelling, prison officials reluctantly erected the marker and statue at the site of Kirk’s escape. The site makes for just one of the numerous holophotographic opportunities you’ll find on the walking tour.

  Though it lacks anything resembling the sort of amenities you’d expect to find on a typical vacation excursion, there’s no denying that Rura Penthe is one of the more interesting stops you’ll make during any tour of the Klingon Empire.

  KETHA PROVINCE

  * * *

  MAP OF KETHA

  GETTING AROUND

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  Ketha Lowlands Visitors Center

  Anti-Gravity Tours

  ‘avwI’ tlhoQ Abbey

  Rafting on the River Skral

  Temple of the ‘etlh SIQ

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  Bat’leth Competitions

  Maqdo’H Gallery

  DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

  The Battle at San-Tarah

  The Snapped Bat’leth

  not mev pachmey

  LODGING

  HuSjen

  Camping

  SIDE TRIP: NARENDRA III

  GETTING AROUND

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  Monument to the Fallen

  S’tavadag Family Pe’bot Farm

  Narendra III Colonial Museum

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  Sleeping Klongat Curio Shop

  DINING

  K’vaad’s Eatery

  LODGING

  Sol’taj Rocks

  FAR FROM THE FIRST CITY and some distance inland from the eastern shores of the primary landmass, the Ketha Province is perhaps the best place to see a part of Qo’noS untouched by the hand of progress.

  Though the small city of Ketha is a magnet for commerce and visitors, it is the surrounding Ketha Lowlands and the nearby Kintak Jungle that attract legions of enthusiastic big game hunters from across the planet. In addition to the always elusive and dangerous mIl’oDmey (saber bear), there is also the llngta’ hunt, held each year on the Imperial Hunting Grounds. An area of the Lowlands normally designated for use by the military and members of the High Council, it is here that Klingon youths undertake their first hunt without adult supervision, stalking the prized llngta’ beasts while armed only with a spear.

  Bordered to the west by the Tlhlngtuj Mountains, the region was once hotly contested in the years following the Hur’q invasion—an occupation that led to the looting of most of the planet’s natural resources. Ketha remained one of the few areas relatively untouched by the Hur’q’s plundering, and several of the more prominent family Houses from the First City saw the potential of mining dilithium and other rare metals and minerals in the region. This helped to establish trade and cargo routes through Ketha Province, linking inland territories to the Chu’paq Sea and the NIHbIQ’a’ Ocean to the east. During that period, the Port of Chu’paq that marks Ketha Province’s eastern boundary was the primary point of entry for this area, with goods from other cities and provinces transferred to ground transport trains bound for the interior regions. Today, the port continues to serve as a hub for passenger and cargo spacecraft.

  GETTING AROUND

  * * *
/>   A network of mag-rail and conventional overland trains weaves through the province, including the city of Ketha and its outskirts. In Ketha itself, the city streets and footpaths are well-maintained, and walking the central district after dark is an event unto itself thanks to the brilliant lighting and bold, colorful building facades that infuse the otherwise unremarkable streets with a vibrant carnival atmosphere. If you want to take an excursion into the Ketha Lowlands, you’ll likely need a Vikak or Sporak all-terrain vehicle, particularly if you’re looking to leave the roads and trails. Another option is to take advantage of special tours that utilize anti-gravity suits and allow you to view this expansive wilderness region from the air.

  KETHA, THE EMPIRE’S SALVATION

  * * *

  [First published in the 2377 Edition]

  Ketha Province, the place of my birth. Though perhaps not as ostentatious as the First City, there is no denying the region’s value to the Empire, as it continues to supply vital resources that fuel our economy and our military. Even my father, himself a noble warrior, never discounted the worth of this region and all it provides. However, my most treasured memories are far more personal, as it was in this place, long before any rituals or ceremonies proclaimed me an adult, that I became a warrior. My first kill, a llngta’, was made on the Imperial Hunting Grounds at the age of eight. I stalked my prey for two days, battling fierce heat and torrential rains as I prowled the unremitting jungle in search of the beast. I suspect he was hunting me, too, and it was as though I could sense the creature’s anticipation, its blood running hot like mine as we each sought to gain the advantage. Never will I forget the look of pride on my father’s face when I emerged from the jungle, covered in blood and mud and carrying my prize over one shoulder.

  As I grew older, I came to understand and appreciate the role the city of Ketha played, along with the entire province, in helping our people pull themselves from the brink of annihilation. After we forced the Hur’q from Qo’noS, it was here that we began the long process of rebuilding our civilization. One of the few areas of Qo’noS to escape Hur’q devastation, it was the Ketha Province that provided the seeds of our salvation, allowing our Empire to rise once again.

  However, it is the Lowlands that continue to draw me back, and I return as often as my duties permit so that I might recapture the thrill of those hunts I enjoyed as a boy. It is also one of my greatest honors to oversee the annual llngta’ hunt there, watching over the next generation of Klingons as they challenge their young minds and hearts while striving to unlock their true potential as warriors of the Empire.

  —Martok, Chancellor of the High Council

  SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

  * * *

  While the city of Ketha offers more options for sightseeing as well as tourist-friendly dining, shopping, and entertainment, the more interesting points for outdoor enthusiasts lie on the province’s outskirts and on the borders of the Lowlands. It’s here that you’ll discover some real local color in ramshackle hunting gear shops and quaint, even charming dive bars and restaurants frequented by hunters and other locals.

  Ketha Lowlands Visitors Center

  Designed for both Klingons and offworlders, this visitors center is located at the main ranger station just east of the mag-rail terminal along the region’s southern boundary. It houses a modest museum that offers a complete history of the area, with special focus on the era that saw settlers arrive from the coastal territories in search of the riches to be found in mining dilithium and other precious ores. There’s also an expansive exhibit showcasing the wide variety of animal life to be found in the Lowlands and the Imperial Hunting Grounds. Targ and llngta’ are prominently featured of course, and there’s also a shrine to the mIl’oDmey, or “saber bear,” the fiercest and most respected of all the big game predators. Artifacts and recordings recount tales of notable hunts, including numerous instances where the saber bear was the victor.

  Anti-Gravity Tours

  Without question, the best way to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Ketha Lowlands is from the air. Anti-gravity suits offer adventure seekers an unparalleled view of the region. Following pre-programmed flight paths, they soar to heights averaging fifty meters above the ground. You may even find yourself in an impromptu race with a herd of targs who’ve spotted you from the ground and think you might make for a tasty dinner. Platforms scattered throughout the area afford opportunities for sightseeing and photography, or travelers can pause their suit’s flight program and simply hover above the ground.

  ‘avwI’ tlhoQ Abbey

  The Klingons who call this monastery home have devoted their lives to the protection of the Lowlands, or the “guarding of nature.” To that end, they live deep within the forest, almost at the region’s center, and keep watch over the wilderness surrounding them. Rather than discouraging hunting or fishing within the region’s lush wilderness, the clerics here foster and promote a greater understanding of the land and the creatures that call it home, so that hunters will have a deeper respect for the prey they stalk. It is one of the paramount tenets of big game hunting on Qo’noS that nothing is wasted; an animal taken from this life must serve noble purpose. Some Klingons believe that before beginning the hunt, the spirit of the prey should be summoned via meditation and its permission sought. Once the animal’s spirit concedes, the hunt can begin, but after the hunter succeeds in making the kill, he or she is honor-bound to thank the animal for its sacrifice. In addition, its meat must serve as a hearty repast, and its hide used to provide clothing or shelter. Even its bones can be put to use, fashioned into tools or even jewelry or sculpture. Though the taking of trophies is part of the victory, killing any creature for that sole purpose is considered anathema to the true objective of the hunt. The ritual surrounding this preparation and understanding is known as the qa’ qaD, or “challenge of spirit.”

  Rafting on the River Skral

  Subterranean springs beneath the Tlhlngtuj mountain range feed this narrow, fast-moving tributary that winds through the Lowlands. Novice rafters will find themselves facing a steep learning curve if they happen to visit after the seasonal thaw, when torrential rains can flood low-lying areas and elevate the river levels. Even those with greater experience will find their skills tested as they navigate the Skral’s raging waters. And did we mention the possibility of coming face-to-face with an ’Iwghargh’a’? The enormous and feisty “blood snake” is attracted to the body heat of most humanoid-sized organisms, and there are even reports that the temperamental reptiles have attacked and capsized rafts in the area. River guides are usually trained to deal with the menacing creatures, but if you find yourself in the water with one, dive deep before attempting to swim away, as the ‘Iw ghargh je is unable to hold its breath beneath the surface.

  Temple of the ‘etlh SIQ

  Located five kilometers from the Lowlands’ western boundary, this impressive tribute to the most respected of all big game predators, the saber bear, stands thirty meters tall. The temple appears to be carved out of the rock itself and takes the form of the head and upper torso of a massive saber bear, its front claws raised and poised to strike. The workmanship is exquisite, rivaled only by the life-size bear statue tucked within the stone temple’s inner sanctum. No one knows who built this temple, or for what purpose, although glyphs carved into the walls offer some insight into the people who placed this marker, with scans indicating that the temple has stood for nearly 2,400 years—placing it in an era that predates the rule of Kahless. Intriguingly, some historians contend that the carved markings seem to describe the coming of a great leader destined to lead “all people under the sun.” Researching and identifying the author of this prophecy, and attempting to learn the source of his apparently divine inspiration, is one of many unsolved mysteries of Klingon history and continues to occupy the monks who live here.

  SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT

  * * *

  Like the larger cities, where Klingons are more willing to welc
ome offworlders, Ketha City has embraced the idea of tourism with great enthusiasm. What’s more, its remote location and the access it offers to outdoor pursuits has allowed the city and the surrounding province to offer something unique when competing for the attention of visitors. The city itself offers a wide variety of shopping options, whereas the entertainment venues tend to heavily favor local customs and tastes. If you’re an outdoor person, then the villages and shops along the outskirts leading into the Lowlands are where the real action is.

  Bat’leth Competitions

  Nothing illustrates a Klingon’s fighting prowess more than their mastery of the bat’leth, the warrior’s traditional bladed weapon. Although the annual interstellar finals tournament, where Klingons pit their bat’leth skills against one another, is held on different worlds each year, the regional qualifying tournaments for Qo’noS take place in the Ketha Lowlands and are open to the public. Bat’leth practitioners of every skill level converge for the grueling competition at the exhibition amphitheater located on the Lowlands’ Imperial Hunting Grounds, undertaking as many as eighteen single-elimination challenges over the course of five days. The winners in each category earn the right to represent Qo’noS in the finals, with the winner receiving trophies, accolades, dinner with the Chancellor of the High Council, and bragging rights until next year’s competition. Though the tournaments aren’t intended to be to the death but are instead presented as sporting contests, accidents do happen on occasion. Visitors and onlookers are encouraged to attend classes and demonstrations that further illuminate the art of fighting with the storied blade.