Approx. 1300 years ago the first Klingon geographical states formed. Prior to this time the civilization of Klinzhai was a group of loosely assembeled tribes held together by the strength of individual leaders. Some of these early states were sea based, hugh fleets of interconnected sea platforms, which eventually became submerged cities. Early on there began the rivalry between the land based dwellers (Komerex Klingon) and the sea based populations (Komerex dexiklingon). This rivalry contiunes today betwwen the Naval and Marine forces of the Empire. The war that united the Klingon people happened when the Komerex dexiklingon set off it's single nuclear device against the Komerex Klingon. This so enraged the Komerex Klingon that they were able to rally and destroy the Komerex dexiklingon before it could build another warhead. This led to a coalition of military leaders that held power until the legendary Kahless was able to overthrow the tyrant Molar and lead his people. After a long life in which created the standard of Klingon life and society to this day, he dissapeared into the desert. Once again a coalition of Military leaders took power. Then approx. 300 years ago everything changed. At that time a science officer in the newly formed space administration proposed the development of a base station to orbit around Klinzhai. All other military leaders looked to each others planetary holdings for conquest, not into the stars. The other leaders laughed and ignored the scientist.

However, by conspiracy and diverting his families funds, he was able to get the space station built and placed in orbit. Next he had everone involved in it's construction killed (over 2,000). Then he delivered his one demand to the military council. Make him sole Emperor or suffer the consequnces of a matter/anti-matter explosion in close orbit. While the Council members were willing to risk it, thier subordinates were not. The people put thier leaders to the sword and swore fealty to the new Emperor. What followed was one of the bloodiest purges in Klingon history. The new Emperor's original name was lost during the many "official" revisions of Klingon history. The name he took upon assention of the throne was one that had never been forgotten. He took the name of Kahless (Qey'lis), in Honor of the greatest Klingon whoever lived. He died with his hand tied to his command chair two decades later in a fleet action that ended the first Klingon/Romulan war. In his life he saw his people united under one banner and that banner taken into the stars. The term of "High Chancellor" was sometimes used to describe the Leader of the High Council. The "Emperors" of the time since Kahless were not the "true" Emperors who held absolute power. These modern Emperors were more of a "Cheif Prince amoung Princes". Many high ranking Klingons did not even consider the Empire to have an Emperor for the last 300 years. This was permitted even though there had not been an actual hereditary Emperor since the death of Kahless. With the return of Kahless the term "Emperor" has regained it's actual political and sociological status as Imperial representitive of the Klingon people.