tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Mar 21 07:31:47 1995
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qeylIs ghaH "Iv
- From: [email protected] (Joshua Rosenblum, Supergenius)
- Subject: qeylIs ghaH "Iv
- Date: Tue, 21 Mar 1995 10:31:08 UNDEFINED
>Excuse my ignorance, but is Kahless/qeylIs a Klingon alive at the time of the
>Star Trek events, or a legendary ancient hero, or god, or what? Which book
>or episode describes Kahless and the legends that seem to exist about him?
From: Lt. Kinarra vestai-Suabaiesh
1st Political Operations Specialist
ICB/KDC
Imperial Klingon Navy
The first mention of Kahless is in an original episode of STAR TREK where he
is introduced as qeylIS-lijbe'taH ghaH, Kahless. The Unforgetable. (Kahless.
He is not forgotten.) He was described as the person who united the klingons
under one rule/philosophy, probably the first emperor, definitely, the
greatest of all klingons.
In ensuing years between ST:TOS and ST:TNG, there were several ideas that were
codified by John Ford in his book "The Final Reflection" and FASA's "Klingons"
supplements for their Star Trek role playing game. (Both publications are
*excellent* resources for klingon culture).
In ST:TNG, the Kahless myth was gotten hold of by some writer's who didn't
have the foggiest clue about the conception of Kahless, or what made him great
and a symbol of the klingon will. In a few episodes in TNG he was turned into
a godlike figure, with all the ritualistic schlock.
The true conception of qeylIS---lIjbe'tah ghaH, is not of a god (how could a
klingon believe in any being higher than himself?) but of a great political
figure, and a symbol of what it is to be a klingon.
Kahless united the klingon people under one rule and turned their power
outward into space. He was the living proof that klingons were to rule
others, that the empire was komerex (that which grows).
The most famous story about Kahless was that of his death. Kahless died
fighting the Romulans in a battle that *will* ;) take place about 1996. It is
said that when his ship was dying, he lashed his hand to the arm of his
command chair, so that none could say that he abandoned his destiny. His
destiny and his ship's were one.
>From this comes the klingon expression qeylISte' qaS (Kahlesste Kaase,
"te'"-ancient possessive? "Kaase"-archaic noun?) Kahless' Hand!
I will photcopy more info about Kahless to anyone who wants it.
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