Klingons
From FEInfobase
Klingons are a humanoid species with a society and history centered heavily around the glorification of combat. They are the only race to make up the Klingon Empire in contrast to the larger United Federation of Planets which is composed of many different species. Despite this, before the Borg War the Empire was one of the major powers of the galaxy, and was frequently involved in the most historic events of the last two thousand years. With the practical demise of the Empire after its numerous defeats to the Borg and its admittance into the Federation, many Klingons live on Earth or on the Tera'tengchaH station in orbit. Despite the relative peace that they share with Humans, there is a growing number of Klingons who feel that the Empire should be rebuilt in the mould of old, and they should leave behind their allies of neccessity.
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Physiology
Klingons are generally larger and stronger than Humans, and are visually typified by extra-skeletal bones, most commonly seen as distincitve forehead ridges, which vary greatly in appearance across different races. As well as what some erroneosly dismiss as these superficial differences from Humans, Klingons have a great number of biological differences internally as well, including multiple redundancy in their organs (a medical principle they refer to as bark'lul), which allows them to survive otherwise fatal wounds in battle. Klingons have twenty-three ribs, two livers, an eight chambered heart, thee lungs and redundant neural functions making them perhaps the most ideal natural warriors in the galaxy. Noticably however, they have substancially less tolerance for cold than races such as Humanity, and cannot hope to function as well in freezing environments as species such as the Andorians or the Breen.
Surprisingly given their technological prowess, Klingons know comparatively little about their own anatomy and have poor medicine because their culture expects a stricken warrior to either deal with it, or undergo the Hegh'bat; a form of ritual suicide. One common myth held by Federation officers is that Klingons have no tear ducts, however the race's own beliefs state that Kahless once filled an ocean with his tears.
Klingon pregnancies normally run thirty weeks, but with inter-species relationships, gestation times are often shorter. The odds of successful Klingon-Human conception is low and when successful, Klingon and Human metabolisms sometimes clash causing biochemical fluctuations in the mother which can lead to fainting. Klingon traits remain dominant for several generations; therefore a child even 1/4 Klingon will still possess forehead ridges if he or she carries the gene.
Klingons undergo a form of puberty when they hit their teenage years, though measured in the same manner as Humans this occurs at a much later date from birth as Klingons tend to live considerably longer than Humans. As such, Klingons can become respected warriors before even beginning this stage. Klingon puberty is referred to as jak'tahla and is generally much more potent than the Human equivelant.
Klingons are known for producing a heavy, musty body odour that intensfies exponentially when a number are confined to the same space for a period of time which many other species find to be objectionable. Debate still exists as to whether or not this is simply a natural odour or a lack of hygiene in Klingon culture. Dr Julian Bashir once noted that the natural odour of a Klingon was unpleasant.
Klingon blood is red, though can appear to be purple if you spend enough money on medical equipment.
Society
Kahless the Unforgettable
Klingons are not religious per say; though they believe there were Gods at one time it is said the Klingons slew them roughly 1000 years ago because they were more trouble than they were worth and no credence is paid to them. They do however practice what outsiders have detrimentally referred to as the 'Cult of Kahless.' Though Klingons do not equate belief in the existance or deeds of Kahless to religion, the reverential manner in which his name is held, and the questionable aspects of the more fantastical stories of his life mean that some Federation anthropologists have equated him to a Klingon "Messiah," a view upheld by the fact that Klingons believe he will return to lead them again. There is little doubt that Kahless was a real man and Starfleet officer Lt. Cmdr. Data once estimated the death of Kahless took place in 822 AD (by the Earth calendar), however many of the truths about him held by Klingons are criticised by others, and even the more believable tales are often too perfect in their metaphoric application to life to be seen universally as historic fact. For instance different tales tell of Kahless wrestling the tyrant Molor to death, and Molor having Kahless executed. Whether fictional or otherwise, the majority of tales about Kahless teach morals regarding honour and truth.
Feudal System
Klingon society in its barest and least complex form, is based upon a series of family houses. Those families supposedly descended from Kahless are regarded as Great Houses, and the majority of others pay some form of fealty to at least one of them. The adversarial set-up often leads to conflict between the houses which erupts into full scale civil war if two or more Great Houses become involved. The combination of a belief in conquering to advance in life and a governmental system open to individual drives for power allows for frequent violent disputes and has been criticised by Federation scientists, however given the belief in the glory of war, it is perhaps the very best system that Klingons could wish for.
Women
Outside of the home and politics, women are seen as equal to the men of the culture. Upon her husband's death, the mistress of a house cannot take control unless already financially equipped and without male successors. Despite this, women were traditionally seen as the head of the home unit, and family marriages could not take place without their endorsement of the mate. Whilst males are seen in the light, females are often the ones in charge of the family unit.
Long held laws previously prohibited women from serving on the High Council however change ame about rapidly in 2293 when Azetbur became Chancellor following her father, Gorkon's assassination. Since then, female leaders of houses such as the Duras sisters have prospered in politics.
Honor
Perhaps as much or even more than combat, Klingon culture is based on the notion of honour. Klingons who act dishonourably are shunned in society, and their family bears the mark of this for three generations.
Whilst many Klingon interpretations of a dishonorable act transfer easily to other species understanding, such as the telling of a lie or betrayal, there are other instances where they are more strict than others might understand. Also, the method by which someone or a family is branded as dishonorable is intensely political meaning that corruption of the system is possible; a family can be threatened with dishonor for refusing to comply with an order of a Great House.
The Klingon honor can be divided into three parts, personal, house, and empire honor. Personal honor is solely individual, the honor of a Klingon shapes his life, his decisions and the standing within the larger society as well as his house.
A house is the nuclear institution of the klingon society. Most house share a blood relation, but often houses also adopt new members of into the house, either by marriage or conquest. Often the survivors of a house war are absorbed into the house that conquered them. In this way the house attains fresh blood that might invigorate it towards greater glory. The actions of an individual house member reflect upon all, both dishonor and honor can be gained and lost this way. The last part of honor is the honor of the empire, all klingons serve the empire and it's masses by extention, sometimes the different honors might be at odds with each other but ulitmatly it is always the honor of the empire that a warrior has to satisfy.
Klingons often claim that their reason for antipathy with other races is due to a lack of honour on the enemy's part. This claim is most frequently made towards the Romulans.
After the fall of the empire and the amalgamation into Federation certain factions within the Klingons society that has survived among the Federation have called for a return to the old ways and a departure from the common path with the other aliens.
Death
Klingons do not tend to fear death, so long as it is honourable. They believe that if they die in battle (thus in an honourable fashion) they will go to Sto-vo-kor where Kahless awaits them and they will do bloody and glorious battle every day and feast every night. If a Klingon does not die in battle, their soul will not travel to Sto-vo-kor, instead they will travel to Gre'thor aboard the barge of the dead; an equivelant of the idea of Hell, though Klingons have no Devil figure. Various pacts and traditions can be observed to ensure lost souls are sent to Sto-vo-kor following death.
Notable Traditions
When a warrior dies, it is common for his companions to howl into the sky, as a warning to the afterlife that a new soul is arriving. Friends of the deceased will often watch over the body to ensure that the soul is safe before passing on.
Klingons unable to fight and as such, live properly as they see it are expected to commit the Hegh'bat whereby a close friend or blood relative must assist them in committing suicide.
The R'uustai is a rite of bondage between two people in which they become brothers. This act is traditionally observed when one Klingon enters anothers house, though it has been performed with non-Klingons.
If a Klingon strikes another with the back of his hand, it is seen as a challenge to duel to the death. Klingons speak forcefully to each other not only to demostrate pride and strength, but also because whispering to another is seen as disrespectful, in that they must strain themselves to hear you.
Notable Klingons
Notable Klingons ((non-cannon))
Ta`pez,late Commanding Officer of the IKS meH'Haj, former joH of the House cheng
poQ, Current joH of the House cheng
K'Hare, self proclaimed historian of the empire
Separ, daughter of poQ, commander of the KDF
qutul, son of be'thal, crewmember aboard the SS Bounty