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

• 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.8th century: First established upon the union of Qo'noS under a single banner by the actions of Kahless (TNG: "Rightful Heir")
• 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)