Planets

Qo’noS had at least one moon, Praxis, which was a key energy production facility for the Empire during the 23rd century. The Klingons took insufficient safety precautions and over-mined the moon, which resulted in a devastating explosion in 2293. Much of Praxis was destroyed, producing a massive subspace shockwave and severely damaging the planet’s ozone layer and leading to increasing oxygen depletion. The planet was expected to become uninhabitable by 23431, although apparently some way was found to avert this.4

Captain Picard visited Qo’noS in 2366 as part of Lieutenant Worf’s attempt to clear his family name. Although Worf accepted discommendation in a political deal to protect the Empire from dissolving into civil war, he and Captain Picard returned to the planet in 2367 to clear his name - and did indeed spark a civil war in the process.5

Quark would also visit Qo’noS in 2371 during his brief marriage to the Lady Grilka.6

In the alternate timeline created by Nero, Khan Noonien Singh took refuge on Qo’noS after his attack on Starfleet headquarters. He hid in a deserted province of the planet, knowing Starfleet would find it difficult to pursue him there. Admiral Marcus ordered Captain Kirk to bombard the planet with long range torpedoes from the edge of Klingon space in order to kill Khan. Kirk disobeyed orders and instead took a small ship to the planet and captured him.7

The planet was divided up into various regions. The Ketha lowlands were the birthplace of Chancellor Martok, an area dominated by farmlands.8 Grilka was from the Mekro’vak region. 9 There were also many geographical features of note, including the Lava Caves of No'Mat, the heat of which could produce hallucinogenic effects in Klingons. Worf once experienced a vision of Kahless after spending six days in the caves. 10 The Hamar Mountains were home to Targs whose shoulders were used in the making of var’Hama candles.11 The Sea of Gatan was a body of water in which B’Elanna Torres almost drowned as a child.12 Kang's Summit was a location where Chancellor Martok once hunted Sabre Bear.13 The Kri'stak Volcano, and the nearby Lake of Lusor were also notable. According to legend Kahless forged the first Bat’leth sword by dipping a lock of his own hair into the lava of the volcano and then cooling it in the lake.14 The Skral River was noted in a Klingon drinking song which claimed that it once ran red with blood after a battle.12

Cities on Qo’noS included Qam-Chee, the site of a famous battle in which the Emperor Kahless and Lady Lukara stood against five hundred warriors - and, later on, jumped on one another ‘like a pack of wild voles’, beginning the greatest romance in Klingon history. 15

Quin'lat was another historic city. According to legend a great storm once approached this city; whilst Kahless and others took shelter inside, one Klingon remained to face the storm, determined to make it respect him. The man was killed, and Kahless noted afterwards that his act was more one of foolishness than courage.9

Tong Vey was yet another city at which a famous battle took place. Ten thousand warriors, led by the Emperor Sompek, conquered the city after a long siege. Sompek ordered it burned to the ground and every inhabitant killed. Worf enjoyed playing the part of Sompek in a holosuite recreation of the battle, always ending the simulation by giving the order to raze the city.16