paq'batlh: The Klingon Epic

Cover of the book

Libretto of the opera

The paq'batlh was originally referred to as a "series of ancient Klingon scrolls and religious texts" in Star Trek Voyager. (1)

In real life, it is a book based on the script of the klingon opera 'u'. It was released at the 10th anniversary of the qepHom Saarbrücken on 12 November 2011.

Synopsis

From the publisher's page: (2)

paq'batlh: The Klingon Epic is the definitive edition of the grand Klingon epic of the Kahless the Unforgettable (qeylIS lIjlaHbogh pagh). The story of Kahless is a tale of legendary proportions comparable to those of our own ancient heroes Hercules, Ulysses and Gilgamesh. Betrayed by his brother and witness to his father's brutal slaying, Kahless is pitted against his bitter enemy, the mighty tyrant Molor. To regain his honor he must travel into the Underworld, create the first bat'leth, and unite with his true love, Lady Lukara, to fight many epic battles. Through this awe-inspiring adventure Kahless redefines what its is to be truly Klingon.
Reconstructed from several sources, this bilingual Klingon/English edition provides a keen insight into the nature of Klingon culture and mythology, and features the first publication of Ancient Klingon (no'Hol) fragments. Meticulously translated by the world's leading Klingon language expert, Marc Okrand, this classic epic is a must have for anyone interested in Klingon culture and language.

Chapters

Prologue - lut cherlu'
Ground Book - paq'yav
Force Book - paq'raD
Impact Book - paq'QIH
Epilogue - bertlham

Details

Written by Floris Schönfeld et al. (eds.)
translated by Marc Okrand
ISBN: 978-90-817091-2-5

Presentation speech

This is the speech which the publisher of paq'batlh Vincent Van Gerven Oei read at qepHom wa'maHDIch in 2011. It was transcribed by Felix Malmenbeck. It is unclear who wrote it, but Marc Okrand is a likely candidate, since they did the presentation together. (3)

tlhInganpu' quv - Dear Klingons,

tlhIHvaD paq chu' wImuch 'e' bochaw'mo' chequvmoH 'ej chebelmoH. lut'a'raj Dun laDlaHmeH tera'ngan, tera'Daq tlhIngan lut'a' paq wa'DIch wIchenmoHta', lut'a' 'oH paq'batlh'e'.

It is a great honor and pleasure that you have allowed us to present you with the first Terran edition of your glorious epic, the paq'batlh.

nughraj Dun lurDechmeyraj Dun je DIvuvta' 'e' lutul HaDwI'pu' 'ej vItul jIH. lIbelmoH paqvam 'e' vItul.

The editors and I hope to have respected your rich culture and tradition, and we hope that you will be pleased with the results.

DaH DIvI' Hol vIjatlhchoH. 'oy' HughwIj.

"Now I will start speaking english. My throat hurts." [untranslated]