Legend says that the Klingon race was born out of a single Klingon - Kortar - whose heart was forged by the gods out of fire and steel and declared to be the strongest heart in the heavens. The gods created a female companion for Kortar, whose heart beat even stronger. The female also possessed great wisdom and suggested that the two join together as an unstoppable force. Fearful of what they had created, the gods attempted to flee but the joined hearts destroyed the gods. As punishment, Kortar was condemned to ferry dishonoured souls to Gre'thor, the Klingon equivalent of hell. The honoured dead reside in Sto'vo'kor.

A major Alpha/Beta Quadrant power, The Klingon Empire itself was reputtedly founded by the mighty warrior, Kahless the Unforgettable, some 1,500 years ago. Kahless performed many amazing and heroic feats and is credited with creating much of the Klingon way of life, as well as the Bat'leth and the Mok'bara, a Klingon martial art which has become popular throughout the galaxy. Klingons live and die for glory and honour: The most important Klingon virtues. Klingons can be fierce and are fervently loyal to their family and patrons. An intimidating crudeness of manner, an unabashed lust for life and a healthy respect for the ritual, tradition and superstition that make up their culture, round out a well liked Klingon. The arts are surprisingly valued, and Klingon art, poetry, theatre and Opera is renowned throughout the galaxy.

Klingon society is structured into Houses - an extended clan organization - and a Klingon's heroic acts bring honor to the House while cowardice or treason brings shame and dishonour to the whole. Klingon politics are volatile to say the least, as competing Houses apply their warrior instincts and lust for victory to domestic affairs. The Klingon High Council governs the Empire, with authority resting with the Chancellor of the High Council. The emperor, currently Kahless - a clone of the original hero, is essentially a figurehead.

Klingons in the Delta Quadrant are limited to the handful that are serving in Starfleet, either as Starfleet Officers or as Klingon Officers on exchange prior to the closing of the wormhole. There are also several Klingon civilians however there is no military presence in the Delta Quadrant.

INFORMATION

Species: Klingon
Classification: Bi-pedal Humanoid
Affiliation: Klingon Empire
Homeworld: Qo'noS (Kronos)
Location: Beta Quadrant

Special Abilities:
Internally, the species has significantly more multiple redundancy in their organs that most, including twenty three ribs, two livers, an eight chambered heart, redundant neural function and even multiple stomachs! This redundancy means that they can survive even the most grievious of injuries.

Traits:
Strength, aggression

Description:
The species larger and physically stronger than humans. Klingons are generally identifiable by their distinctive hairline and deeply ridged foreheads. It is common to assume that the warrior way of life and the ritual and superstition of their culture indicate that Klingons are less intelligent than other species, however this is not neccesarily the case and many Klingons posses a great deal of wisdom and no less capacity for learning than other humanoids.