Klingon Great Houses

The Great Houses and their games dominate our Empire... Alliances of blood and blades, these organizations define the political state of Qo'noS. - Loresinger B'Alea.

The Great Houses are major political institutions in the Klingon Empire and consist of influential families, most of them of noble descent. Some of the Houses are descendants of Kahless.

Organization

A Great House is united by bloodline and led by a male Klingon. Upon the death of the head of the House and his heir, the Mistress will take over control until a new male is found to take this position.

The Mistress, usually titled Lady, is the highest-ranking woman in the House, either the mother or wife of the House leader. A House is named for its current leader but he also has the option of continuing the use of his father's name.

Feuds between Houses can last centuries but can be solved with the dissolution of one or both of the warring Houses.

Political Influence

The Klingon High Council consists of members representing the most influential Houses and is headed by a single Chancellor. The Chancellor doesn't have to be of noble descent or a member of a Great House however he needs to be backed by at least one influential House.

Chancellors of the Empire

• 2257-2257 L'Rell,

(L'Rell held the title of Chancellor for almost a year before declaring herself Mother of the Klingon Empire and appointing General Sturka to act as Vice-Chancellor and her voice on the High Council.)

• 2257-2269 Sturka
• 2269-2270 Year of Five Chancellors

(Following the death of L'Rell and Sturka and the failing alliance with the Romulan Empire, the Klingon Houses fell into civil war again over who would govern. A quick succession of Chancellors took place in the matter of a year. Durak, Orak, Koval, Lorak, B'rak each assumed the reigns of power only to be ousted by a more powerful challenger.)

• 2270-2291 Kesh
• 2292-2293 Gorkon, son of Toq
• 2293-2311 Azetbur, daughter of Gorkon
• 2311-2323 Kaarg
• 2323-2334 Ditagh
• 2334-2346 Kravokh, son of J'Doq
• 2346-2367 K'mpec
• 2367-2375 Gowron, son of M'Rel
• 2375-2375 Worf, son of Mogh
• 2375-Present Martok, son of Urthog

On Qo'noS the political life is defined by the alliance of Great Houses. The most powerful Houses even possess their own fleets. Thus, to govern the Empire the Council relies on the support of the families.

History

• In 2069, the Klingon High Council assumed control of the government after the death of Koth, the last Klingon emperor. Thus begins the Second Klingon Empire, led by the Chancellor of the Council, power was seized quickly, preventing a civil war.
• Late in the 23th century, the Houses of B'vat and Mo'kai clashed, starting a century-long blood feud.
• Early in 2381 Gorka, son of Margon of House Mo'Kai makes a bid to challenge Chancellor Martok for control of the High Council.

Houses Aligned with Martok	Houses Aligned with Gorka
House of Martok	House of Mo'Kai
House of B'Vat	House of Hurgas
House of Hurgoh	House of J'mpok
House of Kahnrah	House of Duras
House of Lorgh	House of Kular
House of Noggra	House of Napos
House of Targesh	House of Torg
House of Vrag	House of Varnak
House of Torlek	House of Sanar
House of DachoH	House of D'Ghor

List of Great Houses

The greatest of the Houses are the ones with the noblest warriors, the greatest records of battle, the most foes defeated, and the most profound influence on the history of the Empire. These are the Houses whose scions crew the finest vessels in the Klingon Defense Force, and also serve on the High Council. They are the generals, the captains, the Dahar Masters, the chancellors. They are the force behind the Empire.

Great Houses in the High Council (2381)

• Providing the Chancellor: House of Martok: Martok, son of Urthog
• House of J'mpok: Councilor J'mpok, son of Q'thoq
• House of Kopek: Councilor Kopek, son of Nargor
• House of Kryan: Councilor Kryan, son of Panich
• House of Qolka: Councilor Qolka
• House of Cha'lak: Councilor Cha'lak
• House of Ganbral: Councilor Ganbral
• House of K'lek: Councilor Kolen, son of K'lek
• House of Kriton: Councilor Gogh, son of Kriton
• House of S'kopa: Councilor Ja'rut son of S'kopa
• House of Terrath: Councilor B'retal, daughter of Terrath
• House of Woldan: Councilor Woldan
• House of Konjah: Councilor Konjah, son of Ja'mal
• House of Marab: Councilor Marab
• House of Torg: Councilor Torg, son of Kormog
• House of K'Tal: Councilor K'Tal, son of Machi
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Houses formally in the High Council

• House of D'Ghor: Led by D'Ghor, son of Dennas
• House of Duras: Led by Ja'rod, son of Lursa
• House of Dorak

Disscommendated Houses

The most severe punishment for inappropriate actions (such as treason, gross dishonorable conduct, etc) in the empire is discommendation, or exile. most commonly applied only to individuals, it can dishonor an entire house, and has frequently been the cause of a great house's fall to minor house status. There have been times however that the actions of the whole house have been so problematic, that an entire house has been discommendated. These houses have their assets seized and find themselves with no formal allies in the empire. However, if the house was powerful enough, or devious enough, and anticipated their fall, they could often escape with many of their more mobile assets intact. These rogue houses often turn pirate, using their fleet and resources to support the house, or turn mercenary, for much the same result. A few however have chosen to travel into the unexplored regions, turning conquistador. If their conquests or actions prove of great benefit to the Empire, they may regain their place. some of these rogue houses attempt to manipulate the Empire and Great Houses, in attempts to have their discommendation lifted and their positions restored without risking all in wars of conquest.

• House of D'Ghor (2371): Led by D'Ghor
• House of Durn
• House of G'Iogh (2291): Led by G'Iogh, son of Kalnor
• House of Gordek (2372): Led by Gordek
• House of Kamato (2253): Led by Kamato

Dissolved Houses

• House of Girjah (2250s)
• House of Gowron (2375): Dissolved with the death of Gowron, son of M'Rel
• House of Kor (2375): Dissolved with the death of Kor, son of Rynar
• House of Korpi (2269)
• House of Kultan (2376)
• House of Mogh (2372)
• House of Varnak (2376)

Other Great Houses

• House of Gannik: Led by Gurtik, son of Gannik
• House of Gorm: Led by B'ator, son of R'etar
• House of Korath: Led by Korath, son of Monak
• House of Reshtarc: Led by Reshtarc

Minor Houses

Not every House can be a great one, or even an influential one. But there are those high-born Klingons who do have a few battles to their name, a few holdings to call their own, and while they do not get selected to serve on the High Council, they still play an important role in Klingon society.

In addition, status remains ever changeable. Brave warriors can raise the status of their House from minor to major – and, by the same token, ignominy and dishonor can bring down a noble House, reducing it to a lowly status.

• House of Antaak
• House of Grilka
• House of Strada
• House of Mergh
• House of Mok
• House of Napos
• House of Noggra
• House of Palkar
• House of Sanar