The Klingon High Council
This is the ruling body of the Klingon Empire. It's members
achieve their positions through perceived strength. The Council
is made up of about two dozen members and meets in the Great
Hall of the First City of Qo'noS (the Homeworld). The Council
Leader is chosen through a ritual of strength and support (see
rituals). It has been established in "Redemption, Parts
I and II" (TNG) that a woman cannot be a member of the
Council. This seems to be contradicted by the fact that Azetbur
(Gorkon's daughter) became Council Leader at the Khitomer talks,
but this instance was probably viewed as a necessity to carry
on the peace talks with the Federation as smoothly as possible
after Gorkon's murder.
K'mpec
Council Leader until 2367, he ruled over the Klingon High Council
longer than anyone in history and maintained peace within the
Council and the Klingon Empire. Was murdered dishonorably by
Duras in an attempt to secure the Council for himself. K'mpec
appointed Jean-Luc Picard as his Arbiter of Succession. (see
rituals) His position was sought after by both Duras and Gowron. K'mpec was murdered without
honour in 2367, apparently poisoned with Viridium Six by Duras
in order to gain his position as leader of the High Council.
K'mpec was succeeded by Gowron, a political newcomer.
(This role was portrayed by actor Charles
Cooper who also portrayed the character of General Koord
in Star Trek V.)
Duras
Son of Ja'rod (the
discovered traitor of the Khitomer Massacre) Duras proposed the
branding of Mogh (Worf's
father) as the traitor of Khitomer in order to divert a civil
war. When in reality it was to keep him from bearing the dishonor
for his father's treachery. Duras twice attempted to kill rivals
dishonorably. He used a bomb to unsuccessfully kill Gowron, but
he succeeded in poisoning K'mpec.
Duras also killed K'Ehleyr
(Worf's mate) when she was about to discover Ja'rod's treason
at Khitomer. Duras was killed under the "Right of Vengeance"
by Worf for K'Ehleyr's murder.
(This role was portrayed by actor Patrick Massett.)
Gowron
Son of M'Rel . Became Council Leader after K'mpec's death in
2367. There was little organized opposition after the death of
Duras. A challenge was brought from Lursa
and B'Etor (surviving
members of the Duras family) in which they tried to place Toral
(Duras's illegitimate son) in the position of Council Leader.
This plunged the Empire into civil war in 2368. Gowron was victorious
in part because he gained the support of Mogh's
followers by restoring honor to Worf's family line. Gowron has
continued to be a strong ruler of the Empire. He supported the
establishment of a "ceremonial" Emperor when the monks
of Boreth (see Klingon
Clerics) produced a clone from the DNA of Kahless. This provided
a "spiritual" leader that the Empire sorely needed.
(The role of Gowron was portrayed by Robert
O'Reilly.)
Lursa and B'Etor
The Duras sisters. Since a woman cannot lead the Council, the
sisters of Duras produced the illegitimate son of Duras, Toral, as a candidate
for the Leadership of the Council. They had the secret backing
of the Romulan Empire and plunged the Empire into civil war.
They were defeated when Jean-Luc Picard discovered and turned
back the Romulan supply fleet.
(The role of Lursa was portrayed by Barbara
March. B'Etor was portrayed by Gwynyth
Walsh.)
Toral
The illegitimate son of Duras. The Arbiter of Succession (Jean-Luc
Picard) determined that Toral was not a fit candidate for the
position because he had not distinguished himself in service
to the empire.(See the Rite of Succession). Toral's life was
declared forfeit because of his father and grandfather's treachery
against the Empire and the House of Mogh.
Worf declined to exercise
his right to avenge his family's honor against Toral.
(This role was portrayed by actor J.D. Cullum.)
The Klingon High Command
This is the military leadership of the Klingon Empire.
Kell
Special Emissary of the Klingon High Command later found to be
a Romulan operative. He tried to use his position to instigate
distrust between Federation and Klingon governments following
an attempted revolt on Krios in 2367.
(This role was portrayed by actor Larry Dobkin.)
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