Kahless
From TFC Galactopedia
Note: this page refers to the original Kahless, his recently created Clone and the revelance of both these characters to TFC
Kahless the Unforgettable was a legendary mytho-historical Klingon figure. He was the first Warrior King and Emperor of the Klingon Empire, known as the "greatest warrior of them all".
Both the original Kahless and his clone are orange-furred Siberian tigers.
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History
Some time in the ninth century CE, 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 again. Since his death, it is said that Kahless awaits all Klingons in Sto-vo-kor: the life, which lies beyond this life. His teachings of honor and tradition form the basis of modern Klingon philosophy and culture. Kahless is still worshipped as a divine figure by the Klingons. Although Kahless was not high-born, those who have descended from him and his wife, the Lady Lukara, are said to reside within the Klingon Imperial Court. Those members of the Court are considered "of the blood", and are considered throughout the Empire to be born to rule by the divine will of Kahless.
Legacy
The stories of Kahless are the stories of the Klingon people. Passed down from generation to generation, these stories remind the Klingon people about who they are and where they come from. Klingons study these stories for all of their lives; many find new truths in them every time. Many of these stories are held within the sacred texts, a few exclusively. Nevertheless, they remain an integral part of Klingon lore.
The following stories are portions and excerpts of song and lore surrounding the life of Kahless:
- 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, as the wind does not respect a fool.
- ...Kahless was determined to teach his brother a lesson for having told a lie, 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. The people begged Kahless to stop his weeping, and he did and walked into the water to find the lost sword. He searched and searched the murky ocean bottom, holding his breath for three days and three nights when he would eventually find his father's sword.
- Kahless later invented the forms of what would become the Mok'bara when he went to the Underworld in search of his father. Kahless showed him the forms, and his father was able to remember his body and return to the world of the living.
- 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... (
Story of the bat'leth
- 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 the blood was ankle deep. 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".
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.
- With the Sword, Kahless slew Molor, conquered the Fek'Ihri and forged the first Empire. Kahless would also use the Sword to skin the serpent of Xol, to harvest his father's field, and to carve a statue for his beloved Lukara.
Molor's defeat is celebrated yearly 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'Staka's at the conclusion of a Klingon wedding is a continued tradition in Klingon culture.
Another story that mentions Kahless entering the afterlife said that he was there to rescue his brother from the Barge of the Dead and deliver him to Sto-Vo-Kor. According to the Eleventh Tome of Klavek, Kahless returned from the dead still bearing a wound from the afterlife.
The Story of the Promise
- 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 good-bye. The people wept, 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" indicated 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 have come to Boreth to ask questions. According to the Clerics, the only way a Klingon warrior can find the answers they seek is 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."
Quotations
- "Destroying an Empire to win a war is no victory. And ending a battle to save an Empire is no defeat."
- "A leader is judged not by the length of his reign but by the decisions he makes."
- "There is no victory without combat."
- "Great men do not seek power, they have power thrust upon them."
- The last quote is a variation on a line from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night :"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." This parallel may explain Klingon claims that the Bard was originally written in Klingon.
The Return
The clone of Kahless the Unforgettable was created by the clerics of Boreth in 2369 using DNA from the Knife of Kirom. The clerics wished to give the impression it was the real Kahless, who had returned from Sto-Vo-Kor to once again lead his people. After he was revealed as a clone, Chancellor Gar'ElsmaQ gave this Kahless the title of Klingon Emperor, while he remained in control of the Empire.
Speculation among cynics has suggested the monks lost their faith and created the clone that they might control a puppet on the throne of the Empire. More devout Klingons have supposed that perhaps this is exactly how it is supposed to be and Kahless has returned to his people in the manner in which he intended. Whatever the reason, since his creation Emperor Kahless has continued the work his original incarnation began so long ago. Emperor Kahless is content to leave the ruling and political minutia to the High Council. He made the conscious decision to focus on the spiritual needs of his people in conjunction with the current government. Much as the original Kahless was, this Kahless is a philosopher king - a living guide for what it means to truly be Klingon and a spiritual center for his people. If the original intent of his creation was to distabilize the Klingon High Council and depose of the Chancellor, the plan has well and truly failed.
The fact that the Emperor is a clone is not a secret. Modern may Klingons hold their Emperor in very high regard but do not consider him to be the same deified Kahless that many worship. This Kahless is seen as but a piece of that truly honerable personage, made flesh to help his people in troubled times.
Controversy and Effects
Kahless is, by all accounts, a very good clone of the original, possessing the original's mannerisms, thoughts and ideas. It is unknown if he also possesses any of the original's actual memories or if what he "remembers" is purely due to the creation process the monks employed. Few in the Empire wish to speculate. Those outside the Empire are generally skeptical but weirder things have happened. Most outsider Governments have taken their cues from the Klingons and treat him as they would any other head of state.
Many Klingons have held the image of Kahless the Warrior in their heads. Fewer have seen him as Kahless the social revolutionary or Kahless the Philosopher. Despite the generally positive feeling in the Empire, some Klingons have had their preconcieved notions about who and what Kahless is and was, challenged.
In intellectual circles, the Emperor is greatly admired, since recent times have led to a greater emphasis on the Warrior aspect of being a Klingon. By taking the role of Spiritual leader and by encouraging deep thought on what it means to be Klingon, Emperor Kahless has elevated others who have not fallen into the traditional warrior role. "There are many Battles to be fought and Won," is an increasingly popular phrase. A revolution in the sciences and technology appears to be looming on the horizon for the Empire; Art is already storming at the gates.
Signs and Portents
Some have speculated that this second coming heralds not just troubled times, but the End Time. Currently, a small but growing number of Klingons ascribe to this new vision of Ragnarok. The catalyst for the growth of this idea has been the Rift and rumors of the events between these new "Imperials" and the Federation. This is a matter which troubles Emperor Kahless and the High Council - fatalistic Klingons are very dangerous Klingons.
Since Kahless' appearance many other old prophecies have been brought to the fore including those of the Kuvah'magh, the Grom'jbR and the Karan'Qeth.
Source Note
- The original version of this article comes from Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference (http://www.memory-alpha.org/en/index.php/Main_Page).
- Article (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Kahless)
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