Klingon Empire

Facts

• Full name: Klingon Empire
• Center of government: Great Hall, First City, Qo'noS
• Currency: jiQ (VAN Novel: Harbinger)
• Population largely comprised of Klingons
• Imperial state expanding via annexation of neighboring territories and peoples
  • Annexed species known as jeghpu'wI', treated as servitors in Klingon culture
  • Known jeghpu'wI'
    • Brenlekki ( - 2379 - )
    • Children of San-Tarah ( - 2379 - )
    • Manochai ( - 2165 - )
    • Mempan ( - 2165 - Present)
    • Palgrenai ( - 2265)
    • Pebru (2165 - )
    • Pheben ( - 2165 - Present)

Bordering territories

• Brikar
  • By some point well before the Khitomer Accords (TNG Novel: Worf's First Adventure)
• Holy Order of the Kinshaya
• Romulan Star Empire
• United Federation of Planets
  • No border by 2165 (ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
  • Territorial expansion formed border by 2255 (DIS)

Former territories

• Kreel
  • Bordering by 2340s
  • Conquered by Holy Order of the Kinshaya late 2370s (TNG Novel: Q & A)

History

• c.9th century: The First Klingon Empire is established upon the union of the tribes of Qo'noS under a single banner, after Kahless's defeat of the tyrant Molor. (TNG: "Rightful Heir")
  • Later incarnations of the empire are considered as a continuation of this first empire, though are still referred to separately. (TNG: "Rightful Heir"; DS9: "Til Death Do Us Part")
• c.14th century: The invasion of Qo'noS by the Hur'q and subjugation of the Empire. The occupation is eventually repelled, leading the Klingon Empire to achieve spaceflight and start the path to becoming an interplanetary nation. (DS9: "Sword of Kahless")
• Early 21st century: Start of the Vulcan-Klingon War upon first contact with the Confederacy of Vulcan, continuing through the mid-21st century (ENT Novel: A Choice of Futures; DIS: "The Vulcan Hello"; TNG: "First Contact")
• Mid-22nd century: Entered period of consolidation to resolve internal political conflicts (ENT Novel: To Brave the Storm)
• 2165: QuchHa' status in Empire settled with triumph of Laneth in honorable combat against B'Orel to determine said fate (ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
• Before 2242: Treaty of some sort signed with the Federation (TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
• 2242: Battle of Donatu V serves as an instigator for simmering Klingon discontent towards the Federation for decades to come (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles"; TOS Novel: Errand of Vengeance: Killing Blow)
• May 11, 2256: Protracted eight-month war with Federation begun following consolidation of Great Houses under a single direction (DIS)
• March 22, 2267: Beginning of 2267 Federation-Klingon War (TOS: "Errand of Mercy"; VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
  • Conflict ended March 23, 2267 (TOS: "Errand of Mercy"; VAN Novel: Open Secrets)
• 2293: Opened diplomatic talks with Federation following destruction of Praxis threatening the ability of Qo'noS to sustain life (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
  • Talks result in the drafting of the Khitomer Accords, which by the 24th century becomes the foundational document for a broad alliance amongst Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers
• July 30, 2373: Beginning of Dominion War (DS9: "By Inferno's Light")
  • Conflict ended December 31, 2375 (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

Political Structure

• Klingon Defense Force serves as military body
• Head of State: Chancellor
  • Leader of the High Council
    • Body composed of representatives of the noble houses of the Empire, common seats assigned or appointed by Chancellor
    • Dominated by Klingon warrior caste c.2100, leading to general military domination of the Empire for centuries to follow (ENT: "Judgment"; ENT Novel: Live by the Code)
    • By 2379, members elected rather than appointed (TNG Novel: A Time to Kill)
    • Klingon Councillors
  • Selected through combat
    • Any who consider the chancellor to no longer be fit to rule may challenge them to honorable combat, claiming the position if victorious (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")
    • The chancellor may at any time step down, relinquishing the position to a successor (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")
  • If death is inflicted in a manner other than challenge, an Arbiter of Succession will instead select the new chancellor amongst all viable claimants (ENT Novel: Live by the Code; TNG: "Redemption", "Redemption II")
  • Klingon Chancellors
• Diplomatic efforts directed by Klingon Diplomatic Corps (VAN Novel: Open Secrets; TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
  • Ambassadors, either to or from the Klingon Empire, traditionally wear a bloodwine-colored chokha-like robe with a bronze stole while officially representing their nation (TNG Novel: A Time to Kill)