Qo'noS

Type: M-Class Planet
Status: Habitable
Location: Qo'noS sector, Beta Quadrant
System: Qo'noS system
Star: K'lai Klinzhai or K'thar
Native Species: Klingons
Population: Billions
Capital: Qo'noS
Currency: Darsek

The star named K'lai Klinzhai, also called K'thar, was located in the Qo'noS sector of the Beta Quadrant. Qo'noS was the homeworld of the Klingons and the capital world of the Klingon Empire. The First City of Qo'noS housed the Klingon High Council and other important institutions, like the Klingon Defense Force Command Headquarters. The namesake of Qo'noS were poH qut, time crystals, a mineral which was also a symbol of Kahless. Early Federation records named the Klingon homeworld "Epsilon Sagittarii B", but it is a name that has become considered moot. Qo'noS had one damaged moon, named Praxis.

Described as a "planet of caves", Qo'noS was composed of a subterranean series of volcanoes, which lay dormant for centuries, to the point of being considered extinct, before becoming alive again in the 2250s. Some caves were of substantial size, including caves not connected to the volcano system. The planet had chaotic weather systems; thunderstorms were frequent. Out of the other five planets in the system, Qo'noS was the only habitable Class M planet, though it required a certain level of technology in order to maintain the environment.

History & Features

The Klingon Empire was first formed around the end of the first millennium, this Empire fell to the Hur'q, as did the ancient Karsid Empire. The Klingons soon recovered and began to build their Empire. By the 22nd century the Klingons were a major power in the Beta Quadrant.

Throughout much of the 23rd century the Klingons were engaged with hostilities with the United Federation of Planets which finally came to an end in 2293, when the ozone layer on Qo'noS was severely damaged when Praxis - the moon and also a key energy-production facility for the Klingon Empire - exploded after an accident involving over-mining. Its destruction sent out a subspace shock wave, and this event forced planning for the evacuation of Qo'noS and led to the signing of the First Khitomer Accord with the Federation.

The First City

The First City (Klingonese: veng wa'DIch) was a municipality on Qo'noS near the Qam-Chee River, and the capital city of the Klingon Empire. It was located in the southern hemisphere of the planet Qo'noS.

Traditionally, before the events around the Battle of the Houses, the First City had been treated by all sides in the Klingons’ various civil wars as neutral ground. Here, warriors who had just tried to kill each other in the most ferocious ways imaginable—and would undoubtedly do so again the next day—could met and even fraternized, celebrating their respect for each other as peers. Many bar and restaurant owners made small fortunes in times of civil war from such meetings, but foes also fraternized with each other in more formal occasions.

As the seat of government, it was home to the Klingon High Council Chamber as well as the Great Hall. Beneath the High Council chamber was one of the seven chimneys leading to the planet's underground volcano system. Previously, the site had housed an ancient shrine to Molor.

The First City has outworlders living in the city, both within and without the city's boundaries. In the city are a large population of non-Klingon permanent residents, both the descendants of subjugated species and beings from allied worlds. There is also a large community of merchants from various worlds and races, especially Tellarites. Due to ongoing disputes with Cardassia, there aren't many Cardassians in the First City, and it's rare to find any Romulans if at all. Foreigners aren't allowed to build homes or businesses in the architectural style of their home worlds, thereby preserving the city's historical and traditional aesthetic.

The First City was thrown into chaos in 2375 when Gothmara and Morjod initiated a coup against Martok. The Great Hall was damaged by Morjod's Hammer and the Klingon High Council were killed. By 2379, however, the Great Hall was rebuilt, and new Councillors had taken the seats of the fallen.

Other Features

Image: Map of Qo'noS, by Last Unicorn Games

The planet itself possessed a single landmass that comprised the entire habitable surface. The terrain consisted primarily of high, rocky mountains, jagged cliffs, and rivers of lava, which were the result of unstable tectonics. A greenhouse effect caused by the volcanic ash kept the planet's surface warm and trapped its oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The interaction of cold air over the ocean and extremely hot air over the continents gave rise to sizable storms; with no land on the planet's far side to halt their growth, hurricanes the size of Earth's North America formed over the sea and slammed into the land like a sledgehammer. Visitors to Qo'noS found it difficult to move around in the high gravity (1.23G) and thick atmosphere causing fatigue among those who visited the planet.

The Klingon homeworld is the most heavily defended planet in known space, due to the Klingons' natural distrust and paranoia being at its peak when it comes to the defense of their homeworld. It's planetary defenses include a huge network of defense satellites, both manned and unmanned. Orbital stations which are similar to those near most Klingon colony worlds but significantly larger, each of which is capable of fighting off a small fleet. These orbital stations are powered by antimatter generators, making them useful not only against spaceborne invaders but also against the capital's population (as a check against rebellion, as they face a network of the largest bombs known in orbit).

The Ketha Province was a far southern region on the Klingon homeworld of Qo'noS. It included the Ketha lowlands, which were a generally impoverished region of Ketha Province. Chancellor Martok was born in the Ketha lowlands.

First City Locations in Detail

Image: The First City. Artists: Livid Ramondelli & Peter Markowski, Hidden Universe Travel Guide, by Dayton Ward.

The Caves of No'Mat

No'Mat, or the Caves of No'Mat, was a location north of the Old Quarter of the First City. This icy mountainous location was known for its lava caves. These caves played a role in the Rite of MajQa wherein a young Klingon while meditating would experience a vision. This vision, or hallucination depending upon one's interpretation, might play a role in the Klingon's future.

The Old Quarter

This was the oldest part of the First City, located in its north-eastern quadrant. The area grew from old settlements of disparate communities of settlers, evolving from simple military fortifications into a bustling city. Traversing the old streets and paths, bridges and tunnels that connect the area allowed visitors to sample a variety of stores, galleries, museums and ancient landmarks.

The Open Air Bazar

In the Qav Quarter, of the First City's south-eastern region, this shopping area was one of the best places in the city to sample a broad cross section of clothing, décor, crafts, foods and spirits from around the Klingon home world. Restaurants and taverns were frequently encountered, with street merchants at every corner.

The Great Hall

Located near the centre of the Old Quarter and housed within the original for tress that served as the seed from which the First City grew, the Great Hall was the figurative and literal heart of the Klingon Empire. The centrepiece of the hall was the immense chamber in which the High Council met to deliberate issues of the day. Most proceedings were open to the public, with the exception of those pertaining to security or other sensitive matters. Visitors weren't surprised to see Klingon civilians alongside offworld travellers following the debates from the observer’s galleries. The hall also contained a statue of Kahless, as well as an extensive exhibit highlighting his indelible role in Klingon history. Children of all ages were invited to visit the exhibit's learning centre, where they would be treated to a performance by a Kahless impersonator entertaining audiences with tales of the legendary emperor’s more outlandish exploits.

The Federation Embassy

Image: The Embassy in the wejDIch Quarter. Artists: Livid Ramondelli & Peter Markowski, Hidden Universe Travel Guide, by Dayton Ward.

The Federation Embassy on Qo'noS was the permanent diplomatic mission of the United Federation of Planets in the Klingon Empire. The Federation Embassy was a large - over two hundred meters tall - rust-colored structure located in the First City; shaped like an inverted pyramid with the corners supported by high columns, it was the formal workplace of the Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire, and was considered to be legally Federation soil.

The Embassy was surrounded by a ten meter high fence and force field designed to protect the structure from most conventional attacks. In order to gain entrance to the embassy, an eight digit code, retinal scan, and verbal authentication was required. It also maintained constant contact with Federation space through subspace radio, and had the capacity to launch a cloaked probe into orbit in times of emergency to send distress beacons. It was also equipped with standard anesthizine gas defenses such as those found on Federation starships. Nonetheless, the Federation Embassy on Qo'noS suffered a number of notable security lapses.

In 2376, the Embassy was seized and its personnel placed under the mental control of Morjod, son of Martok, as part of his unsuccessful coup attempt, and in 2379, a small band of radicals managed to temporarily storm the Embassy and take its staff hostage until Ambassador Worf personally fought them for control of the building. In the basement of the Federation Embassy, a classified operations center of Starfleet Intelligence was located.

The Embassy also had a museum dedicated to the long, often tumultuous relationship between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. The exhibit contained many artifacts, documents and presentations that showed the alliance's history. The exhibit also had a holographic recreation of the 2372 invasion by the Klingons when they withdrew from the Khitomer Accords.

Associate Consul Annup Bommu was a male human in the 24th century and the ranking Federation ambassador on Qo'noS when Morjod, son of Martok attacked in the year 2375. He was the grandson of Padwa and was of Indian origin. Ms. Barnum was a member of the Federation embassy staff on planet Qo'noS when it was attacked in the year 2375. She was Annup Bommu's assistant and also from India, on Earth. Iris Hume was another woman who was a member of the Federation embassy staff.

Hall of Warriors

Situated in the city's southeast quarter and overlooking the Qam-Chee River, the Hall of Warriors was one of the most revered locations on the planet, rivalling even the Great Hall itself. Enshrined here were statues showcasing notable Klingons who'd distinguished themselves in a manner that exceeded even the exacting demands placed upon soldiers of the Empire. Originally conceived as a military memorial, the Hall has benefited from the recent addition of a wing devoted to civilians and even a few offworlders recognized for their significant contributions to the Klingon people. Prominent inductees here include Jean-Luc Picard, the famed Starfleet captain who held the distinction of being the only non-Klingon ever to preside over the appointment of a new Chancellor of the High Council. Enshrinement in the Hall guarantees eternal respect from all Klingons until the end of time. Although the Hall carried no retail outlets, literature and holovisual documentary materials highlighting the various heroes can be found in nearby merchant shops.

Kahless Historical Museum

Though there were many museums, galleries, and monuments dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Kahless the Unforgettable, this was the only archive that had existed since the time of his rule. The museum’s curators had been able to chronicle his career and accomplishments beginning with his first days as emperor through to his death. Many of these records were lost during the Hur'q occupation of Qo'noS, but in the centuries since, archaeologists and historians had travelled the planet seeking to rebuild this unique repository. Although the museum was originally an annex to the Great Hall, the sheer number of retrieved items, along with the need for dedicated conservation and restoration efforts, demanded a larger dedicated space. The result was this larger building located in the southwestern or wejDIch Quarter. Here, visitors were able to view an impressive collection of artifacts, including numerous items once possessed by Kahless and his immediate family.

Hall of Honor

Unlike the Hall of Warriors, which celebrated Klingon soldiers and others with records of distinguished service to the Empire, the Hall of Honor offered respectful tribute to worthy adversaries vanquished in battle against Klingon warships. In keeping with the respect extended to these individuals, the Hall of Honor was but a short walk west from the Hall of Warriors, accessible by a cobblestone path running adjacent to the Qam-Chee River. Here, banners, flags, and other items salvaged from captured enemy vessels were on exhibit, each flanked by displays that recount the details of the glorious victory. As described by the Hall's curator, it was an honor to be memorialized here, though travellers with familial connections to anyone who may have served on — for example — a Starfleet ship that was captured or destroyed might feel differently. Visitors were encouraged to engage with the staff at every opportunity to learn the complete stories behind the artifacts housed here and discover more about the Klingon people’s unique veneration of honourable opponents.

‘Iwllj jachjaj

Classic and modern music vied for supremacy at this rowdy club in the Veb Quarter on the city’s northwest side. Only here, a visitor might have found opera played in one room while drinking songs dominated an adjacent chamber. Bloodwine, sport, warnog, and bi‘jaTik ale flow with abandon. It's also the only place in the city where you saw nightly gin‘tak throwing competitions. Everyone was invited to test their skill wielding these spears, which feature a knife blade at one end along with a blunt base that gave the weapon additional weight and power when used in close-quarter combat. Here, the goal was simple: Throw the gin'tak as far as you can. It was rare for a non-Klingon to win the contest, yet all enthusiastic competitors were welcomed.

Votaq's

Though everything on the menu was delicious, locals came here for this revered eatery’s famous rokeg blood pie. The primary ingredients of this delicacy were the flesh and thick, nutrient-rich blood of the rokeg, an amphibious predator indigenous to the River Skral that resembled the gharials of Trellus V (or an Earth crocodile) and could sometimes grow to a length exceeding five meters. It was said that Emperor Kaldon, while still a young warrior living along the river in the ninth century, slew such a rokeg using only his d’k tahg knife as a means of providing food for his village. His people had lost their homes and farms to torrential rains and the resulting floods and mudslides. The meal that resulted from Kaldon’s courageous catch became a favourite repast for the remainder of his life and served as a reminder of his humble beginnings. In the generations since his reign, the dish had become a traditional meal during the Klingon Day of Honor. At Votaq's, bakers arrived hours before dawn each day to prepare five dozen such pies, which were only sold by the slice, one per customer with no exceptions; and once they're gone, you're out of luck until the next day. Anyone attempting to buck the house rules got to face the diner’s ill-tempered proprietor, Votag himself, and if he decided you're too much trouble, that’s when you meet his wife. Do yourself a favor, and enjoy your pie without the extra fuss.

Kiretek's Inn

Gagh was one of a handful of Klingon foods that's well known beyond the Empire’s borders. There were more than fifty different varieties of gagh bloodworms, and each was a unique delicacy. The type of animal blood the worms were fed as they are readied for consumption affects their taste, and not every variety of worm responded the same way to the blood it feasted on. It's a skilled chef who could provide a diverse selection of well-prepared gagh that appealed to multiple palates. Kiretek was just such a chef, and his was the only restaurant in the city that offered the entire range. All but hidden within the Old Quarter’s garment district, this unassuming eatery was the destination of choice for many a gagh connoisseur. Just remember that gagh was best when served and consumed live, and many Klingons won't even consider eating cooked gagh. If you decided to follow the path of the purists, you'd probably want a mug of the inn’s signature warnog to help eliminate any worms that survive the trip to your stomach. After all, it was best to nip them in the bud before they attach themselves to your intestines.

Hotel Jarantine

A modern property on the inside, this hotel was converted from an ancient temple, which at one time was connected to the fortress that as of 2381 served as the Great Hall. Its proximity to the Hall made it the preferred lodging for off-world diplomats, military leaders, and other prominent citizens during their stays on Qo'noS. The lowest level, located two stories below ground, was originally excavated as a secret underground shelter in the wake of the Hur'q invasion of Qo'noS and was used as a rally point for smuggling civilians out of the city. In 2381, it housed the expansive garden that provided vegetables and fruits for the hotel’s three restaurants.

Riverfront Enclave

Formerly a monastery for a small religious sect devoted to waiting for the promised return of Kahless from the afterlife, this collection of adobe brick cottages offered scenic views of the beautiful Qam-Chee River, which wound through the wejDIch and Qav Quarters on the city’s south side. In 2381, the sect was dissolved decades ago, but its archives remained. Guests were invited to tour the monastery grounds, which were maintained for their historical significance by clerics from surrounding temples. The library containde numerous texts penned by monks who once called the enclave home.

Several of the scrolls dated back to the time of Kahless, offering one of the few surviving sources of accurate historical information from that period. Also housed here was one of the earliest known handwritten drafts of The Story of the Promise, which told of Kahless's return. Enclave Fifteen carried its own bit of local lore, as it was here that famed author K'Ratak secreted himself in order to write The Dream of the Fire, which would go on to become one of the most prominent novels in Klingon literature.

Disclaimer

• Information gathered from Memory Alpha, Memory Beta, and the Hidden Universe Travel Guide, by Dayton Ward. Original version of the Qo'noS map before edits were made to include the Ketha Province Map is from Last Unicorn Games.