Kahless
Kahless the Unforgettable
The most important figure in Klingon culture, Kahless was the founder and first Emperor of the Klingon Empire. He is a legendary mytho-historical figure, also referred to as the first Warrior King,
as well as the "greatest warrior of them all". His battle cry, "Today is a good day to die", continues to be a popular Klingon utterance well into present day.
Background
Sometime in the 9th century, Kahless defeated his enemies on the field of battle, and founded the mighty Klingon Empire, uniting the Klingon people and giving them the laws of honor. Upon his death, Kahless promised he would return one day, and lead the Empire once again. After his death, it was said that Kahless awaited all Klingons in Sto-vo-kor: the life which lies beyond this life. His teachings of honor and tradition formed the basis of modern Klingon philosophy and culture.
Although Kahless was not high-born, those who descended from him and his wife were said to reside within the Klingon Imperial Court.
Those members of the Court were considered "of the blood," and were regarded throughout the Empire to have been born to rule by the divine will of Kahless.
Legendary Stories
The stories of Kahless are the stories of the Klingon people. Passed down from generation to generation, these stories remind Klingons about who they were and where they had come from. Klingons study these stories for all of their lives; some say they found new truths in them on each reading. Many of these stories are held within the sacred texts, a few exclusively. Nevertheless, they remain an integral part of Klingon lore.
- Long ago, a storm was heading for the city of Quin'lat. Everyone took protection within the walls except one man who remained outside. Kahless went to him and asked what he was doing. "I am not afraid," the man said. "I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me." Kahless honored his choice and went back inside. The next day, the storm came, and the man was killed. Kahless replied, "The wind does not respect a fool".
- ...Kahless was determined to teach his brother a lesson for having told a lie, because it made him look like a coward, but Morath refused to fight his brother, and instead ran away. Kahless pursued him across valleys and over mountains, all the way to the edge of the sea. And there on the shore, they fought for twelve days and twelve nights because Morath had broken his word and brought shame and dishonor to his family.
- ...Kahless held his father's lifeless body in his arms. He could not believe what his brother had done. Then, his brother threw their father's sword into the sea, saying that, if he could not possess it, neither would Kahless. That was the last time the brothers would speak. Kahless looked into the ocean and wept, for the sword was all he had left of his father and the sea filled with his tears and flooded beyond the shore.
- Kahless single-handedly fought off an entire army at Three Turn Bridge.
- ...The tyrant Molor was so strong that no one could stand against him. Kahless would rather die than live under Molor's tyranny...
- Kahless went into the mountains, all the way to the Kri'stak Volcano. He cut off a lock of his hair and thrust it into the river of molten rock, which poured from the summit. The hair began to burn, but then he plunged it into the Lake of Lusor and twisted it into a sword.
- ...and sticky-continuous and surrounded-continuous (by) blood, and the River Skral ran crimson red. On the day above all days. When Kahless slew evil Molor dead...! And after he used it to kill the tyrant Molor he gave it a name: bat'leth, "the sword of honor".
- With the Sword, Kahless slew Molor, conquered the Fek'Ihri, and forged the first Empire. Kahless also used the Sword to skin the Serpent of Xol, to harvest his father's field, and to carve a statue for his beloved Lukara. (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless")
- The story of the sword is known only by the High Clerics, because it was never written down in the sacred texts. This was so that, if Kahless was ever to return, they could be sure it was him. When the Shroud of the Sword of Kahless was discovered, it was determined that the Sword of Kahless dated back at least 1,400 years.
- Molor's defeat was celebrated annually with the observance of the Kot'baval Festival.
- A thousand years ago, at the dawn of the Empire, five hundred warriors stormed the Great Hall at Qam-Chee. The city garrison fled before them. Only the Emperor Kahless and the Lady Lukara stood their ground.
It was here that they began the greatest romance in Klingon history.
- Kahless and Lukara were nearly killed, moments after they were married, by Molor's troops.
- The wielding of Ma'Stakas, used to re-enact Kahless' and Lukara's battle at Qam-Chee, at the conclusion of a Klingon wedding was a continued tradition in Klingon culture.
- The "Story of the Promise" was Kahless' swan song, "When Kahless united the people and gave them the laws of honor, he saw that his work was done. So one night he gathered his belongings and went to the edge of the city to say goodbye. The people wept, as they did not want him to go. And Kahless said, "You are Klingons. You need no one but yourselves. I will go now, to Sto-Vo-Kor. But I promise one day I will return." Then Kahless pointed to a star in the sky and said, "Look for me there, on that point of light."
- The story of "The Promise" indicats that Kahless was to reappear in the lava caves on the planet of Boreth. The Followers of Kahless, or Guardians, wait there for his return. To Klingons, there is no more sacred place. For over 1,500 years, Klingons came to Boreth to ask questions. According to the clerics, the only way a Klingon warrior could find the answers they sought was to "Open your heart to Kahless, ask him your questions, let him speak to you with your mind unclouded by doubt or hesitation. Only then can you find what you are looking for."
