Klingon Empire
Government
The ruling body of the empire is called the High Council. It is composed of the leaders of the 24 most powerful 'houses in the empire. The council makes all major decisions and is presided over by the Chancellor or Leader of the Council.
The post of Emperor, though technically still listed as the leader, is mostly a symbolic position in current Klingon society.
Military
The Klingon military is divided into two elements; The Imperial Klingon Navy (IKN) and the Klingon Defense Force (KDF).
The KDF is comprised of ships Light Cruiser sized and below. The KDF’s primary duties revolve around policing and keeping order within the Klingon Empire. This includes keeping conquered worlds under control. KDF ships rarely patrol close to the neutral zone as that is the purview of the IKN. KDF ships and officers are looked down upon by IKN officers as many KDF ships are crewed/commanded by Klingons that washed out of the IKN academy.
The IKN is the regular navy of the Klingon Empire. It is divided into several fleets called Banner Fleets (Black Banner, Red Banner, White Banner, Blue Banner and the Gold Banner Fleets)
The Sector/Quadrant
The Klingons relationship with the Federation provides a textbook example of their mistrust of outsiders. Early encounters between the two were ambiguous, but led to long-term hostilities.
For nearly two centuries the two sides fought over key border systems, until a "neutral zone" was forced between them by the Organians. The neutral zone separated the two for several years, but eventually was discontinued and limited hostilities resumed for several years, finally ending with the Khitomer Accords.
Klingons have never trusted the Romulans, but have had limited exchanges of technology; such as the D-7 cruisers to the Romulans; and the Romulan Cloaking Device technology to the Klingons. However due to continued political tensions and what the Klingons interpreted as ‘sneaky and dishonorable attacks’ by the Romulans on Klingon outposts and forces, the Klingons have a nearly blood-hatred of the Romulans—and consequently are very suspicious of Vulcans as well.
Recent Events
The Klingons have had a rough go for about forty years. Just under 40 years ago there was a brief civil war, in which two families or houses that of the Duras (allied with the Romulans) and Gowron (allied with the Federation) fought for control. At the time Gowron’s forces were victorius and the treaty with the Federation stood.
A few years later, Gowron, corrupted by the power, turned more and more aggressive, until he was assassinated by a Star Fleet officer, Lieutenant Commander Worf. Worf then turned the empire over to his house-leader, Martok, who led the empire for several years thereafter.
In the past 34 years tensions have raised and lowered dramatically; and recently things have been quiet, although there are some growing tensions.
