When Kahless unified the Klingon Homeworld, he recognized the subtle but pervasive influence of females in the Klingon society and sought to bend that power to his use. He invited senior warrior females of powerful families to become part of his personal bodyguard and assume places of honor beside him. This bodyguard, known as the RaH'ir, soon became feared because of their unswerving loyalty to Kahless and their ruthless vengeance against those who sought to unseat their Emperor.
When Kahless departed, the Empire was in turmoil. Male pretenders to Kahless' throne created an atmosphere of fear and distrust against the ghopbe'. Temples of batlhSoS were not banned but priestesses lost their status in Klingon society. The RaH'ir continued the teachings of Kahless and preserved the true history rather than the rewritten history of whomever was in power. The female warriors of the RaH'ir became known over time as the ghopbe'.
The ghopbe' continued their tradition of honor. Their preparation not only included the standard training of warriors but also included the disciplines of unarmed combat, assassination, and an esoteric form of torture known as be'joy' (literally translated as "torture by females"). Females were also taught to be self-reliant and mastered forms of subtle power. Members of the ghopbe' have also sworn not to adopt the family line name of their consort but to retain their own. However, family loyalty is honored and members are expected to swear loyalty to their family and to the Empire. Ghopbe' members may be found in all walks of like including warriors, teachers, mothers and consorts. Over the years, their society diminished in power but never completely disappeared. Persecution of some of their members led the ghopbe' to a secretive existence and a more subtle exercise of power and influence. Recently, their influence and power has been expanding. The return of Kahless elevated awareness of traditional Klingon ways and returned the ghopbe' to their place at the side of Kahless. However, the male dominated High Council has restrained any overt attempts of influence by the ghopbe'.
Although the full membership is not known and is still shrouded in secrecy, there have been several publicly avowed members such as Azetbur, Mara and Valkyris that have served with honor and distinction. It is also known that membership is not limited by family or House lines or even ships. The High Council suspects that the membership is large and pervades every ship of the fleet and every family line. But since the ghopbe' are known for their adherence to the Klingon Way and honor, a threat is not perceived. The rituals and laws of the order are also unknown. It is believed that initiates swear an oath of secrecy and preference of death to dishonor.
The ranks or stations of the individual members within the ghopbe' are denoted by specific color braids of cloth in their hair. A single red braid denotes an initiate beginner known as a puqbe'quv or honored daughter. A red and silver braid indicates a honored sister or be'nI'quv. The wearing of a red and gold braid is the highest status an individual can attain, that of a honored mother or SoSquv.
The head of the ghopbe' is known as SoSqanquv or honored eldest mother. The SoSqanquv is elected and advised by the yejbe', a council composed of the 3 most senior SoSmeyquv.
A potential member must be sponsored by at least one be'nI'quv (honored sister) and petitions the yejbe' for initiation into the ghopbe'. A female must stand before the yejbe' and recite her lineage and deeds of honor. If the yejbe' accepts her petition, the female recites the Qu'quv'Ip, the oath of honor and duty. She then swears upon her life to not reveal the secrets of the ghopbe' and becomes a honored daughter (puqbe'quv). Her sponsor is responsible for her conduct during the period of probation. If the puqbe'quv is accused of dishonoring the ghopbe', she is brought to the yejbe' for trial and disciplinary action. If convicted, she pays with her life and her be'nI'quv is reduced in rank to puqbe'quv for one year.
The ghopbe' exert subtle, not overt, power. They influence Klingon life by acting as consorts, advisors, and warriors. Honor and loyalty are highly valued Klingon traits and are not easily dismissed by the ghopbe' or the SoSqanquv. It is VERY seldom that a direct order from the SoSqanquv conflicts directly with the loyalty to Empire and Family. In fact, that occasion has happened only once in the recorded history of the ghopbe', and under very extenuating circumstances, but that tale can wait for another time. The tradition of honor and duty to the Empire, Family and to batlhSoS accords the SoSqanquv the hereditary right to appear before the High Council and speak without fear of retribution. The SoSqanquv does not abuse this power and uses it very wisely. The SoSqanquv and yejbe' of the ghopbe' prefer more subtle forms of persuasion.
The ghopbe' headquarters are located on the planet H'Renn in the Delta Quadrant. This planet is also the home of the House QeqiVah, a matriarchical Klingon house within the Clan Lorrenssith and also led by the current SoSqanquv. After the original temple and headquarters were destroyed by meteorites from the explosion of Praxis, QeqiVah rebuilt their headquarters on her ancestral lands so that the ghopbe' headquarters can be protected by her ships and soldiers. Our current SoSqanquv is QeqiVah vestai-Lorenssith, SoSqanquv of the Ghopbe'.
For information on joining our sisterhood, send email to SajQa' vestai-Fenix
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