KLINGON DATABASE

THE KLINGON WARRIOR

KLingons are a warrior people originating from the planet Qo'noS, in the Beta Quadrant. Proud, aggressive and with an almost religious regard for tradition and honour. Klingons have had a military orientation as far back as their records show. Their warlike attitude makes them a power to be feared and respected on the Galactic stage. Klingons have a genetic predisposition to combat. They are immensely strong, and are able to sustain serious injury yet remain functional, thanks to their unique biological structure, which incorporates the duplication of all essential organs to allow for damage to vital bodily functions.
	However such hardiness is not matched by Klingon medical technology, advanced though they are in many fields. This is primarily due to the fact that, in Klingon society, death in battle is the ultimate vindication of Klingon life, to be celebrated as the freeing of the warrior's spirit. Indeed, a wounded Klingon, unable to face his enemies is expected to perform the ritual of Hegh'bat - literally "The Time to Die " - a ritualised suicide. In common with many of the races in this sector of the Galaxy, Klingon DNA is compatible with that of Earth humans, and crossbreeds, although rare, are not unknown.
Scared to all Klingons is Kahless the Unforgettable. An inspiration to generations of Klingon warriors following his monumental fight against his own brother, Morath with whom he battled for twelve days and twelve nights, because Morath had dishonoured their family name by telling a lie. Kahless taught that Klingons do not fight to merely spill blood, but to enrich the spirit, which is one reason Klingon warriors pray to Kahless before going into battle. Klingon warriors who die honourably join Kahless in Sto-Vo-Kor, the life which lies beyond the life we know
	To Human eyes, Klingon women seem remarkably strong willed and aggressive. They share the same biological traits which make Klingon males violent, and their culture encourages them to aspire to fighting prowess. They are renowned for their sexual appetites, and rarely give any ground in an argument. However, within the Empire, Klingon women tend to hold inferior positions to the men. Klingons have a sexist society in which women are banned from holding the highest political office, and are hardly ever given the leadership of a house. The Klingon attitude towards women seems to spring at least in part from the races disdain for any kind of physical weakness. Those women who can prove themselves equal to a man in a fight are accorded considerable respect. While woman rarely, if ever rise to the command of a ship, they do serve alongside men in battle.