Klingon Empire
| INTERSTELLAR STATE | |
|---|---|
| Klingon Empire | |
 | |
| Founded: | ~800 AD |
| Location: | [[Beta Quadrant]] |
| Affiliation: | Klingon Empire |
| Capital: | Qo'noS |
| Head of State: | Chancellor of the High Council |
| Head of Government: | Chancellor of the High Council |
| Legislature: | Klingon High Council |
| Major Species: | Klingon |
| Military: | Klingon Defense Force |
| Intelligence Service: | Klingon Intelligence |
| Language: | tlhIngan Hol |
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 Klingon Defense Force (KDF) defending the entire empire, and the House fleets, manned and maintain by the Great Houses to defend their own interests.
The KDF maintains the bulk of Klingon forces, at least on paper. The KDF’s primary duties revolve around policing and keeping order within the Klingon Empire. This includes keeping conquered worlds under control. The KDF patrols the borders, ensuring that other powers do not interfere with Klingon affairs. Nominally, the House fleets can be seconded to the KDF for duties, but in practice this rarely happens outside of wartime; even then, the House fleets maintain a dangerous level of autonomy.
The House fleets are smaller groupings than the KDF, but as they are focused upon the affairs of their House rather than those of the entire Empire, they are able to maintain effective control of the territory claimed by their House. The House of Chang operates the largest independent fleet, but its current size is unknown due to the House withdrawing itself from the Empire proper, along with its allies.
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.
