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{{sidebar individual
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|image = Kor, 2375.jpg
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|caption = Dahar Master Kor (2375)
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Image:Kor2266.jpg|200px]]
 
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|image2 = Kor, 2266.jpg
|-
 
| colspan="2" class="even" align="center"| Commander '''Kor''' (2267)
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|caption2 = Commander Kor (2267)
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|species = [[Klingon]]
|-
 
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|affiliation = [[House of Kor]]
| class="odd" | Gender:
 
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|rank = [[Dahar Master|''Dahar'' Master]]
| class="even" | Male
 
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|occupation = [[Military]] [[officer]]<br />[[Ambassador]] to {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}
|-
 
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|status = [[Deceased]] ([[KIA]])
| class="odd" | Species:
 
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|datestatus = 2375
| class="even" | [[Klingon]]
 
  +
|died = [[2375]]
|-
 
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|father = [[Rynar]]
| class="odd" | Children:
 
| class="even" | At least one son; killed by [[the Albino]].
+
|children = At least [[Kor's son 001|one son]] (killed by [[the Albino]])
  +
|actor = [[John Colicos]]<br />[[James Doohan]] (voice)
|-
 
 
}}
| class="odd" | Died:
 
| class="even" | [[2375]]
 
|-
 
| class="odd" | Actor:
 
| class="even" | [[John Colicos]]
 
|-
 
|}
 
   
  +
{{aquote|Long live the Empire!|Kor'''{{'}}s parting words'''<nowiki/>|2375|Once More Unto the Breach}}
'''Kor, son of [[Rynar]]''', the last son of the [[House of Kor]] and descendant of the [[Klingon Imperial Family]], was among the most influential warriors and respected military leaders of the [[Klingon Empire]] during the [[23rd Century|late 23rd]] and [[24th Century|early 24th Centuries]]. Throughout his illustrious career, Kor played key roles in many legendary battles against the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] and [[Romulan Empire]]. Kor's influence in the Empire would elevate him the status of [[Klingon]] [[Dahar Master|''Dahar'' Master]].
 
   
  +
[[Dahar master|''Dahar'' Master]] '''Kor''', son of [[Rynar]], was a [[male]] [[Klingon]] [[military]] [[officer]] and [[ambassador]] in the [[23rd century|23rd]] and [[24th century|24th centuries]]. He was among the most influential [[warrior]]s and respected [[military leader]]s of the [[Klingon Empire]]. In the [[United Federation of Planets]], he was known chiefly as being partly responsible for the institution of the [[Treaty of Organia]] that ended war with the UFP, and for being an adversary of [[Starfleet]] [[Captain]] [[James T. Kirk]] and [[Klingon Chancellor|Chancellor]] [[Gowron]] and a friend of [[Kang]], [[Koloth]], [[Curzon Dax|Curzon]], and later [[Jadzia Dax]], as well as [[Worf, son of Mogh]].
==Military Career==
 
Much of Kor's early career is unknown, however, by the [[2260s]] he had achieved the rank of [[commander]], and was assigned to a Klingon warship. ([[TOS]]: "''[[Errand of Mercy]]''")
 
   
  +
Kor was the last son of the [[House of Kor]] and [[descendant]] of the [[Klingon Imperial Family]]. He also had a [[Kor's son 001|son]]. He was descended from Klingons affected with the [[Klingon augment virus|augment virus]] created in [[2154]], a product of [[22nd century]] Klingon [[genetic engineering]]. By the 24th century, he was cosmetically indistinguishable from an average Klingon. ({{ENT|Divergence}}; {{TOS|Errand of Mercy}}; {{DS9|Blood Oath}})
===Conflicts with the Federation===
 
[[Image:Kor2269TAS.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Captain Kor (2269).]]
 
In [[2267]], following the break down of peace talks between the Federation and Klingon Empires, the [[first Federation-Klingon War]] broke out. The neutral planet of [[Organia]], a strategic position between the two powers, became a political hotspot between the Empire and the Federation.
 
   
  +
Throughout his illustrious career, Kor played key roles in many [[legend]]ary battles against the Federation and [[Romulan Empire]]. Kor's influence in the Empire eventually elevated him to the status of Klingon ''Dahar'' Master. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}})
On [[stardate]] 3102.7, Commander Kor led several hundred Klingon soldiers in an invasion and occupation of the Organia, where he briefly became their military governor. As governor, Kor ruthlessly maintained order on the planet, ruling with an iron fist by maintaining a stringent list of rules -- any violation of which, was punishable by death. Unknown to Kor at the time, Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]] and Commander [[Spock]], both posing as [[Organian]]s, were among the subjugated. The two [[Starfleet]] officers futilely mounted a series of guerilla attacks against Kor and his army. Meanwhile, above Organia, the Klingon and Federation fleets faced each other in the battle.
 
   
 
== Military career ==
Once the hostilities between the two began to reach its climax, all ships suddenly and mysteriously became paralyzed and all weapons became superheated and temporarily rendered useless. Unknown to both sides at the time was that the Organians were, in fact, an advanced, [[List of non-corporeal species|non-corporeal life-form]], despite their primitive way of life. As quickly as it started, the Organians effectively ending the occupation, the war, and Kor's governorship. ([[TOS]]: "''[[Errand of Mercy]]''") The Organians would continue to promote peace between the two powers by imposing the [[Organian Peace Treaty]]. ([[TOS]]: "''[[The Trouble with Tribbles]]''")
 
 
By the [[2260s]], Kor had achieved the rank of [[commander]] and was assigned to a Klingon [[warship]]. ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}})
   
 
=== Conflicts with the Federation ===
Within two years, Kor would rise to the rank of [[captain]] and become the commander of the [[IKS Klothos|IKS ''Klothos'']]. In [[2269]], Kor would again face his enemy, Captain Kirk, in battle when the ''Klothos'' engaged the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|USS ''Enterprise'']] in the [[Delta Triangle region]]. During the battle, the two ships became entangled in a "time trap", a phenomenon unique to that region, pulling the ships into an alternate universe known as [[Elysia]].
 
 
In [[2267]], following the breakdown of peace talks between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, a {{dis|Federation-Klingon War|2267}} broke out. The neutral [[planet]] of [[Organia]], located in a strategic position between the two [[major power|powers]], became a political hot spot between the Empire and the Federation.
   
  +
[[File:Klingon invasion of Organia.jpg|thumb|Part of Kor's invasion force on Organia]]
Kor attempted to escape but the ''Klothos'' was unable to break free from the region, partly due to its unusual properties, of which, are capable of draining [[dilithium]]-crystals of their energy. Through cooperation, the crews of the ''Enterprise'' and ''Klothos'' were able to formulate a strategy by combining their warp power in effort of both ships individual power deficiencies.
 
 
On [[stardate]] 3102.7, Commander Kor led a [[battalion]] of five hundred Klingon [[soldier]]s in an [[invasion]] and [[military occupation|occupation]] of Organia, where he briefly became their [[military governor]]. As governor, Kor ruthlessly maintained order on the planet, ruling with an iron fist by maintaining a stringent [[list]] of rules, any violation of which was [[death penalty|punishable by death]]. Unknown to Kor at the time, Captain [[James T. Kirk|Kirk]], posing as an [[Organian]], and Lieutenant Commander [[Spock]], posing as a dealer in [[keva]]s and [[trillium]], were among the subjugated. The two [[Starfleet]] officers mounted vain [[guerrilla]] attacks against Kor and his [[army]]. Meanwhile, in [[orbit]] around Organia, the Klingon and Federation [[fleet]]s faced each other in battle.
   
 
[[File:Kor, 2269.jpg|thumb|left|Captain Kor (2269)]]
Prior to their attempt, however, Kor had one of his officers, [[Kali]], plant a bomb-like device in the computer room of the ''Enterprise'', set to explode once the [[starship]] cleared the phenomenon and reached [[warp]] eight. Both ships were able to escape the region, and the destruction of the ''Enterprise'' was averted moments before the ship reached warp eight. Nevertheless, Kor claimed responsibility for formulating their combined escape and would return to Klingon space no worse for the wear. ([[TAS]]: "''[[The Time Trap]]''")
 
 
Once the hostilities between the two began to reach its climax, all ships suddenly and mysteriously became paralyzed and all weapons became superheated and temporarily rendered useless. Unknown to both sides at the time, the Organians were, in fact, an advanced [[non-corporeal species]], despite their primitive way of life. As quickly as it started, the Organians effectively ended the occupation, the war, and Kor's governorship. ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}}) The Organians continued to promote peace between the two powers by imposing the [[Organian Peace Treaty]]. ({{TOS|The Trouble with Tribbles}})
   
 
Within two years, Kor became the [[commanding officer]] of the {{IKS|Klothos}}. In [[2269]], Kor again faced his enemy Captain Kirk in battle, when the ''Klothos'' engaged the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in the [[Delta Triangle]] region. During the battle, the two [[starship]]s became entangled in a "time trap," a phenomenon unique to that region, pulling the ships into an [[alternate universe]] known as [[Elysia]].
Kor's ship, the ''Klothos'', was one of the first Klingon vessels equipped with a [[cloaking device]]. Kor is said to have spent 3 days in the engine room taking it apart and studying it before their first mission. This would prove critical when he later commanded one of the two Klingon divisions aboard the ''Klothos'', along with Kang, in an attack against the [[List of Federation outposts|Federation outpost]] at [[Caleb IV]]. During the attack, Kor successfully tricked his opponent by launching first a small initial attack, and then striking with the bulk of his forces when the Federation began repair efforts. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Once More Unto the Breach]]''")
 
   
 
Kor attempted to escape, but the ''Klothos'' was unable to break free from the region, partly due to its unusual properties, including draining [[dilithium]] [[crystal]]s of their [[energy]]. Through cooperation, the [[crew]]s of the ''Enterprise'' and ''Klothos'' were able to formulate a strategy by combining their [[warp drive|warp]] {{dis|power|physics}} in an effort to overcome both ships' individual power deficiencies.
===Conflicts with the Romulan Empire===
 
In [[2271]], Kor led the Klingon Empire to a glorious victory over the [[Romulan]]s, at the legendary [[Battle of Klach D'Kel Brakt]]. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Blood Oath]]''")
 
   
  +
[[File:IKS Klothos.jpg|thumb|IKS ''Klothos'' (2269)]]
: ''In "[[The Sword of Kahless]]", [[Worf]] recalled one of the stories he heard as a child, about Kor that described his "attack on [[Romulus]]". Despite the fact that Klach D'Kel Brakt is not on Romulus, per say, the outcome of the battle certainly had an affect on the [[Romulan Empire]].''
 
 
Prior to their attempt, however, Kor had one of his officers, [[Kali]], plant a [[bomb]]-like device in the [[computer]] room of the ''Enterprise'', set to explode once the starship cleared the phenomenon and reached [[warp factor|warp eight]]. Both ships were able to escape the region, and the destruction of the ''Enterprise'' was averted moments before the ship reached warp eight. Nevertheless, Kor claimed responsibility for formulating their combined escape and returned to Klingon [[space]] none the worse for wear. ({{TAS|The Time Trap}})
   
 
Kor's ship, the ''Klothos'', was one of the first Klingon vessels equipped with a [[cloaking device]]. Kor was said to have spent three days in the [[engineering|engine room]] taking it apart and studying it before their first mission. This proved critical when he later commanded one of the two Klingon divisions aboard the ''Klothos'', along with [[Kang]], in an attack against the [[Federation outposts|Federation outpost]] at [[Caleb IV]]. During the attack, Kor successfully tricked his opponent by launching a small initial attack, and then striking with the bulk of his forces when the Federation began repair efforts. ({{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
===Later Career===
 
Kor, with fellow warriors, [[Koloth]] and [[Kang]] held the [[Korma Pass]] against [[T'nag]]'s army in a glorious battle in a trinary [[star system]], where they forced the enemy to fight with the blinding light of three suns in their eyes. The battle ended with the mountainside covered with so many dead that there was not a square meter of ground to be seen. They would together feast on T'nag's heart in celebration of their victory. ([[DS9]]: "''[[The Sword of Kahless]]''", "''[[Once More Unto the Breach]]''")
 
   
 
=== Conflicts with Romulans ===
Kor and [[Curzon Dax]], the Federation ambassador to [[Qo'noS]], would become close friends in [[2289]]. In one of their escapades, Kor and Dax broke into the Duke's harem on [[Renavi]]. In [[2370]], when Kor and [[Jadzia Dax]], Curzon's successor, were reunited, Dax knew Kor well enough to recall that he had a [[scorcher]] burn on his fourteenth rib, and that his left [[QiVon]] ached every time his ship hit warp eight. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Once More Unto the Breach]]''", "''[[Blood Oath]]''")
 
  +
Kor was involved in several combative entanglements with the [[Romulan Star Empire]]. In [[2271]], Kor led the Klingon Empire to a glorious victory over the [[Romulan]]s at the legendary [[Battle of Klach D'kel Brakt]]. Kor liked recreating the battle so much that he called it up each time he went to the [[holodeck]]. On one occasion before he went on his quest to kill [[The Albino]], he was playing this battle in the [[holosuite]] and got so [[Public drunkenness|drunk]] with [[Breshtanti ale]] that [[Odo]] had to put him in a [[holding cell]] to sleep it off. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}}) [[Worf]] once recalled a story he had heard about Kor during his own childhood, which described Kor's "attack on [[Romulus]]." ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}})
   
 
=== Later career ===
During the late [[2280s]], a band of depredators, led by [[the Albino]], began raiding Klingon colonies. Three Klingon warships, led by Kor, Koloth and Kang, were sent out to stop him. Their mission was successful, as they captured most of the depredators, however, the Albino was able to escape. In the Albino’s last message to the Klingons, he promised to take his revenge on the firstborn of each of the three captains. Within a short time, he kept his word and managed to infect the warrior's three innocent children with a genetic virus that would eventually kill them all. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Blood Oath]]''")
 
 
Kor, with fellow warriors Koloth and Kang, held the [[Korma Pass]] against [[T'nag]]'s [[army]] in a glorious battle in a [[trinary star system]], where they forced the enemy to fight with the blinding light of three [[sun]]s in their eyes. The battle ended with the [[mountain]]side covered with so many dead that there was not a square meter of ground to be seen. They together [[eating|feasted]] on T'nag's [[heart]] in celebration of their victory. ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless|Once More Unto the Breach}})
   
 
Kor became a close friend to Curzon Dax, the Federation ambassador to [[Qo'noS]], in [[2289]]. In one of their escapades, Kor and Dax broke into the [[duke]]'s [[harem]] on [[Renavi]]. In [[2370]], when Kor and Jadzia Dax, Curzon's successor, were reunited, Dax knew Kor well enough to recall that he had a [[scorcher]] burn on his fourteenth [[rib]], and that his left [[QiVon]] ached every time his ship hit warp eight. ({{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach|Blood Oath}})
==The Reckoning==
 
[[Image:Kor2370.JPG|200px|thumb|right|''Dahar'' Master Kor on Secarus IV (2370).]]
 
In [[2290]], Kor, Kang, Koloth and Curzon Dax pledged a [[blood oath]] to avenge the deaths of their sons, the offense committed by the Albino. They would nearly catch him at [[Galdonterre]], but one of their [[Subspace communications|subspace messages]] was intercepted and he, once again, was able to escape.
 
   
  +
[[File:The Albino.jpg|thumb|The Albino (2370)]]
After decades of searching, Kang learned of the whereabouts of the Albino, in [[2370]], on the planet [[Secarus IV]]. Kang traveled to Secarus IV and discovered his compound. The Albino knew immediately of his arrival and invited the trio to a "fair fight" and one last glorious battle. Kang would contact both Kor and Koloth for a rendezvous on [[Deep Space Nine]], in preparation of their final attempt to complete their lifelong quest.
 
 
During the late [[2280s]], a band of depredators led by [[the Albino]] began raiding Klingon [[colony|colonies]]. Three Klingon warships, led by Kor, Koloth, and Kang, were sent out to stop him. Their mission was successful, as they captured most of the depredators. However, the Albino was able to escape. In the Albino's last message to the Klingons, he promised to take his revenge on the firstborn of each of the three captains. Within the space of a few years, he kept his word and managed to infect the warriors' three innocent children with a [[genetic virus]] that eventually killed them all. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}})
  +
{{bginfo|In the novel ''[[The Tears of the Singers]]'', Kor was married to Kali. Based on this, Kali may have been the mother of the child Kor lost to [[the Albino]].}}
   
 
== The Reckoning ==
Three months later, Kor, Koloth, Kang, with the aid of Jadzia Dax, prepared their attack on the Albino's compound, only to discover that it was a trap. Using the element of surprise, they bombarded the compound with [[tetryon]] particles, forcing the Albino and his sentries into face-to-face, hand-to-hand combat. Following a fierce battle, the mortally wounded Kang was able to slay the Albino. Fulfilling their blood oath, both Kang and Koloth were able to die a glorious and honorable death. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Blood Oath]]''")
 
 
In [[2290]], Kor, Kang, Koloth, and Curzon Dax pledged a [[blood oath]] to avenge the deaths of the Klingons' sons, the offense committed by the Albino. They nearly caught him at [[Galdonterre]], but one of their [[subspace communication|subspace messages]] was intercepted and he once again was able to escape.
   
 
[[File:Kor, 2370.jpg|thumb|left|''Dahar'' Master Kor on Secarus IV (2370)]]
==Political Career==
 
 
After decades of searching, Kang learned of the whereabouts of the Albino in 2370 on the planet [[Secarus IV]]. Kang traveled to Secarus IV and discovered his compound. The Albino knew immediately of his arrival and invited the trio to a "fair fight" and one last, glorious battle. Kang contacted both Kor and Koloth for a rendezvous on [[Deep Space 9]], in preparation of their final attempt to complete their long quest.
Kor was a member of the Oversight Council for the [[Klingon Defense Forces]] when (future [[General]]) [[Martok]] attempted to join in [[2346]]. Kor was responsible for striking Martok’s name from the officers' list because his family was from the lowlands of [[Ketha Province]], and due to his influence Martok was barred from even enlisting as a common soldier. Martok would remain bitter about this incident for nearly thirty years. ([[DS9]]: "''[[Once More Unto the Breach]]''")
 
   
 
Three months later, Kor, Koloth, and Kang, with the aid of Jadzia Dax, prepared their attack on the Albino's compound, only to discover that it was a trap. Using the element of surprise, they bombarded the compound with [[tetryon]] particles, forcing the Albino and his sentries into face-to-face, hand-to-hand combat. Koloth was fatally wounded fighting the Albino's personal guard. Following a fierce duel, Kang was able to slay the Albino (held at bay by Dax) before he died as well. Having fulfilled their blood oath, both Kang and Koloth died glorious and [[honor]]able deaths. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}})
In the early [[2370s]], Kor was serving as the Klingon [[ambassador]] to [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]]. In [[2371]], a [[Vulcan]] expedition found the [[Shroud of the Sword]] (of [[Kahless]]) among the remains of a [[Hur'q]] outpost in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. Using his influence as ambassador, Kor was able to acquire the Shroud from the Vulcans.
 
   
 
== Political career ==
Kor, however, had a penchant for drinking, but mostly for telling stories. On one drunken occasion in a tavern on [[Torna IV]], Kor held a group spellbound with the story of the ancient cloth and how it was going to lead him to the [[Sword of Kahless]]. One member of his audience, [[Toral, son of Duras]], was so intrigued he sent a [[Lethean]], named [[Soto]], after Kor aboard [[Deep Space 9]] to steal his memories of the discovery.
 
 
Kor was a member of the [[Klingon Oversight Council|Oversight Council]] for the Klingon Defense Forces when (future [[General]]) [[Martok]] attempted to join in [[2345]]. Kor was responsible for striking Martok's name from the officers' list because his family was from the lowlands of [[Ketha Province]], and due to his influence, Martok was barred from even enlisting as a common soldier. Martok remained bitter about this incident for nearly thirty years. ({{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
   
In early [[2372]], Kor, with the assistance of Starfleet officers [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jadzia Dax|Dax]] and Lieutenant Commander Worf, launched a quest to find the legendary Sword of Kahless in the Gamma Quadrant, using the data collected by the Vulcans. While unbeknownst to them at the time, they were being trailed by Toral, who intended to steal to Sword and use it to lead the Empire.
+
In the early [[2370s]], Kor was serving as the Klingon ambassador to {{dis|Vulcan|planet}}. In [[2371]], a [[Vulcan]] expedition found the [[Shroud of the Sword]] (of [[Kahless]]) among the remains of a [[Hur'q]] outpost in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. Using his influence as ambassador, Kor was able to acquire the Shroud from the Vulcans.
   
 
Kor, however, had a penchant for [[Public drunkenness|drinking]] and for telling stories. On one drunken occasion in a [[tavern]] on [[Torna IV]], Kor held a group spellbound with the story of the ancient cloth and how it was going to lead him to the [[Sword of Kahless]]. One member of his audience, [[Toral, son of Duras]], was so intrigued he sent a [[Lethean]] named [[Soto]] after Kor, aboard Deep Space 9, to steal his [[memory|memories]] of the discovery.
Following the successful discovery of the Sword, the enormous symbolism of it became a matter of contention between Worf and Kor. After realizing that the Sword would only serve to further divide the Klingon Empire, rather than reunite it (as the legends foretold), they set the Sword adrift in interstellar space. ([[DS9]]: "''[[The Sword of Kahless]]''")
 
   
  +
[[File:Kor and Worf regard the Sword of Kahless.jpg|thumb|left|Dax, Kor, and Worf find the Sword of Kahless]]
==Lost Influence==
 
  +
In early [[2372]], Kor, with the assistance of Starfleet officers [[Lieutenant Commander]] Jadzia Dax and Lieutenant Commander Worf, launched a quest to find the legendary Sword of Kahless in the Gamma Quadrant, using the data collected by the Vulcans. While unknown to them at the time, they were being trailed by Toral, who intended to steal the Sword and use it to lead the Empire.
[[Image:Kor2375.jpg|200px|thumb|right|''Dahar'' Master Kor aboard Deep Space 9 (2375).]]
 
In [[2375]], Kor, having long been out of favor with [[Chancellor]] [[Gowron]] and the [[Klingon High Council|High Council]], and unable to secure his own command, used his remaining influence to persuade Worf to re-commission him into the Klingon Defense Forces. With Worf's assistance, Kor would be commissioned to serve as the [[third officer]] aboard the [[IKS Ch'Tang|IKS ''Ch'Tang'']] during their daring cavalry raid into [[Dominion]]-held space.
 
   
 
Following the successful discovery of the Sword, the enormous symbolism of it became a matter of contention between Worf and Kor. After realizing that the Sword would only serve to further divide the Klingon Empire, rather than reunite it (as the legends foretold), they set the Sword adrift in interstellar space. ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}})
Unfortunately, during this time, Kor was suffering from frequent lapses in memory and concentration, often losing track of where and when he was. At a critical moment, when both Worf and Martok were incapacitated on the bridge while engaging the [[Cardassian]] base on [[Trelka V]], Kor suffered such a lapse. Kor believed himself to be once again engaging the Federation outpost at Caleb IV, at the side of his long dead friend, Kang. As a result of his lapse, the ''Ch'Tang'' was nearly destroyed, and the captain and [[first officer]] of their sister ship, the [[IKS Orantho|IKS ''Orantho'']], were killed. They were able to escape the system only to discover that they were in pursuit by a fleet of [[Jem'Hadar attack ship|Jem'Hadar fighters]].
 
  +
{{clear}}
   
 
== Lost influence ==
It was through the experience and bravery of Kor, and six volunteers, that the [[IKS Ning'tao|IKS ''Ning'tao'']] was able to successfully engage the [[Jem'Hadar]] fleet. Kor was subsequently able to save the crews of the remaining [[Klingon Bird-of-Prey|Klingon ships]], allowing them the time they needed to reach the Starfleet reinforcements located in the [[Kalandra sector]]. As a salute to the fallen ''Dahar'' Master, General Martok toasted Kor, noting that he was "a noble warrior to the end". ([[DS9]]: "''[[Once More Unto the Breach]]''")
 
 
[[File:Kor eats alone.jpg|thumb|''Dahar'' Master Kor eats alone aboard the ''Ch'tang'' (2375)]]
 
In [[2375]], Kor, having long been out of favor with Chancellor Gowron and the [[Klingon High Council|High Council]], and unable to secure his own command, used his remaining influence to persuade Worf to recommission him into the Klingon Defense Forces. With Worf's assistance, Kor was commissioned to serve as the [[third officer]] aboard the {{IKS|Ch'Tang}}, while they made a daring [[cavalry raid]] into [[Dominion]]-held space.
   
 
Unfortunately, during this time Kor was suffering from frequent lapses of memory and concentration, often losing track of where and when he was. At a critical moment, when both Worf and Martok were incapacitated on the [[bridge]] while engaging the [[Cardassian]] base on [[Trelka V]], Kor suffered such a lapse. Kor believed himself to be once again engaging the Federation outpost at Caleb IV, at the side of his long-dead friend Kang. As a result of his lapse, the ''Ch'Tang'' was nearly destroyed, and the captain and [[first officer]] of their [[sister ship]], the {{IKS|Orantho}}, were killed. They were able to escape the system only to discover that a fleet of [[Jem'Hadar attack ship|Jem'Hadar fighters]] was pursuing them.
==Appearances==
 
* [[TOS]]: "[[Errand of Mercy]]"
 
* [[TAS]]: "[[The Time Trap]]"
 
* [[DS9]]: "[[Blood Oath]]"
 
* [[DS9]]: "[[The Sword of Kahless]]"
 
* [[DS9]]: "[[Once More Unto the Breach]]"
 
   
  +
Kor was subsequently relieved of duty. His standing aboard ship changed from an honored hero of legend to a pitiful disgrace. Martok took no joy in Kor's humiliation. Martok mentioned this to Worf when discussing the [[duty roster]]. Both officers then agreed that they would speak to Gowron to find an assignment for Kor.
==Background==
 
''Kor was played by [[John Colicos]]. The character Kor in [[TAS]]: "[[The Time Trap]]" was voiced by [[James Doohan]].''
 
   
  +
It was through the experience and bravery of Kor and six volunteers that the {{IKS|Ning'tao}} was able to successfully engage the [[Jem'Hadar]] fleet. Realizing that the Jem'Hadar would soon overtake them, Worf had suggested using the ''Ning'tao'' to force the enemy out of warp and engage the fleet, intending to lead the attack himself. Before Worf could [[beam]] to the doomed ship, however, Kor &ndash; secretly informed by Martok's assistant, [[Darok]] &ndash; stunned him with a [[hypospray]] and took command himself. Before leaving, he promised Worf that when he passed into the halls of the honored dead, he would find Worf's beloved wife, Jadzia Dax, and tell her of Worf's love for her and that he had brought her honor.
{{featured}}
 
  +
  +
Kor died pulling off an amazing feat of tactical brilliance for his final mission. His single [[Klingon Bird-of-Prey]] stalled ten Jem'Hadar ships long enough for the remaining Klingon ships to reach the Starfleet reinforcements located in the [[Kalandra sector]]. Even General Martok put aside the past enough to [[toast]] the ''Dahar'' Master's bravery, noting that Kor had been "''a noble warrior to the end.''" ({{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
  +
  +
== Personal views ==
  +
Kor was from a [[generation]] of Klingons not known for standing on ceremony, eating when hungry and fighting when angry. Kor had a somewhat more progressive view when it came to interactions with other [[species]] and [[gender]]s. Having seen the [[Trill]] ambassador Curzon Dax as a [[brother]], he saw no difference calling Jadzia Dax a [[sister]] when it was time to fulfill their blood oath. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}}) Kor displayed a calm demeanor when interviewing James T. Kirk on Organia, admitting he held a great admiration for the captain and for Starfleet of the 23rd century; Kor recognized many similarities between Humans and Klingons, seeing the killer instinct within Humanity and likening himself and the captain to [[tiger]]s. ({{TOS|Errand of Mercy}}) Kor, however, felt that the Klingon social order was important, that nobility was something that Klingons in the early 24th century still held in esteem, and would enforce the status quo of Klingon society by striking the name of common applicants from officer candidate lists. ({{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
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== Appendices ==
 
=== Appearances ===
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<div class="appear">
 
* {{TOS|Errand of Mercy}}
 
* {{TAS|The Time Trap}}
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* {{DS9}}
 
** {{e|Blood Oath}}
 
** {{e|The Sword of Kahless}}
 
** {{e|Once More Unto the Breach}}
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</div>
  +
 
=== Background information ===
 
Kor was played by actor [[John Colicos]] in all of the character's live-action appearances and was voiced by [[James Doohan]] in {{TAS|The Time Trap}}.
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==== Name ====
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There was originally some question as to the pronunciation of Kor's name, as Kirk actor [[William Shatner]] decided the way the moniker was said should be altered. "''Bill had some idea that it sounded like 'canine corps' or something like that, so he decided to change it,''" explained John Colicos. "''I said, 'But if it's going to be pronounced "Koor," then I'm going to be selling Coors beer.' So, there was a bit of palaver about that, but we wound up doing what we did because it was Bill's suggestion.{{'}}''" (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, pp. 17-18) This pronunciation for Kor's name was listed in the pronunciation guide for "Blood Oath". {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/439.txt}}
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In [[Marc Okrand]]'s ''tlhIngan Hol'' language, Kor's name was '''qor'''. (''[[The Klingon Dictionary]]'' 2nd ed., p. 58)
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==== Introduction ====
  +
The script for {{e|Errand of Mercy}} detailed that, upon being introduced in that episode, Kor was "holding himself proud and erect and firm&hellip; obviously a man accustomed to command&hellip; warrior."
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  +
Having worked with John Colicos before, "Errand of Mercy" Director [[John Newland]] selected him to play Kor. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #130, p. 77) Newland suggested Colicos for the part immediately after being assigned to direct the installment. {{YouTube|type=v|ca44g-LnwlI}} Colicos was living in either Toronto or New York at the time. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 17; {{STC|104|19}}) He later recalled, "''I got a phone call, 'Would you come out to California to do an episode of ''[[Star Trek]]''?' I said, 'Yes, of course.' The script was sent. It arrived about two hours before I went to the airport, so I learned the lines on the plane between chicken sandwiches.''" (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 17) Never having heard the species name "Klingon", Colicos was extremely unsure how to portray the role. ({{STC|104|19}}) After arriving at the [[NBC|''Star Trek'' studios]], he immediately went to have Kor's Klingon makeup applied for the first time. The fact that the character was meant to be an ambitious military commander led Colicos &ndash; who was given the opportunity to influence his makeup, due to it being such a last-minute job &ndash; to suggest drawing influence from Genghis Khan for Kor's appearance. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 17)
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Kor was initially to have appeared in {{e|Day of the Dove}}; the writer of that episode, [[Jerome Bixby]], very much wanted to cast John Colicos as the installment's main Klingon character. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #164) Kor was included by Bixby in the third revised story outline for "Day of the Dove", which he submitted on {{d|28|May|1968}}. The Klingon character was also the subject of a note Bixby sent to ''Star Trek'' Producer [[Gene Roddenberry]], along with the newly revised outline. The note read, "''Have used the Klingon KOR from 'Errand of Mercy'. The character was strong, the actor wonderful.''" (''[[These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Three]]'') Colicos was again offered the role and could hardly have been more excited by the prospect of appearing in "Day of the Dove". However, he was unavailable, being involved in a film production in Italy. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #164) According to Bixby recollecting what Colicos had said, the actor was so frustrated that he couldn't portray Kor in "Day of the Dove" (due to his film commitment) that when he first read the episode's script he wept, threw himself at walls, banging his head, and almost jumped off a balcony, but resisted the urge to do so. (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 71; ''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #164) Ultimately, Kor was written out of the episode's script by [[Fred Freiberger]], with a revised final draft script submitted by him on {{d|19|August|1968}}. The elimination of Kor definitely had some aftereffects. For example, it was implied in the episode that there was already some pre-existing familiarity between Kang, who was created to replace Kor's role in the story, and Captain Kirk. Also, a line of dialogue which needed to be cut was one of the first the Klingon spoke in the script, when he exclaimed, "''Kirk! The last time we met &ndash; an incident! This time, you will be cut up in your own stew!''" (''[[These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Three]]'')
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In fact, John Colicos was twice asked to reprise the role of Kor during the original broadcast run of {{s|TOS}}; Gene Roddenberry wanted to make the character a recurring one. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 18) In a {{y|1999}} interview, Colicos admitted, "''I always wonder how it all would have materialised had I been more available during the original series.''" ({{STM|55|38}})
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====Reappearances====
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During the writing of the episode {{e|Blood Oath}}, the writing staffers who worked on {{s|DS9}} struggled with deciding what direction to take the character of Kor in, more than they did with Kang and Koloth. "''We weren't sure about him,''" conceded [[Ira Steven Behr]]. "''His character was a tougher nut to crack.''" [[Peter Allan Fields]], who was credited with writing the episode's story and teleplay, based Kor's persona on the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] character {{w|Falstaff}}. ({{ds9c|132}})
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When John Colicos was needed to play Kor in "Blood Oath", DS9's casting personnel managed to quickly find the actor. ({{ds9c|131}}) Being invited to return as Kor surprised Colicos, though. "''When I first read parts of the script I said, 'No, no, no, you're making a travesty of what has become a cult figure, this super marshal warrior.' I had a long talk with [[Michael Piller]] and he said I only had the first part of the script and that they were going to do this and that. He said that I was going to become a heroic figure in the end.''" ({{STC|104|19}})
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One issue that John Colicos had with the script for "Blood Oath", while the DS9 producers were uncertain whether to kill off the entire trio of returning Klingons or allow one to survive, was that he wanted Kor to be kept alive. "''I said, 'If one of us is left alive, then I, like Ishmael, have to be left to tell the story.' I said I didn't want to be killed off, otherwise I'd have preferred just to be remembered as the initial Commander Kor that people saw in the original series [...] I really would not have done it. The way the character evolved, I thought that unless I got some opportunity to leave in the public's mind the idea that Kor didn't just turn into a fat, old Falstaffian drunk, but that he had some heroic, redemptive qualities left in him, there was no point in my doing the show. I didn't want to destroy a whole image just for the sake of one appearance.''" Following much consideration and writing, the DS9 producers decided that Kor was the one who would live. "''I don't know whether or not my being the first Klingon on ''Star Trek'',''" Colicos mused, "''influenced them in any way.''" ({{STM|55|38}})
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Once the "Blood Oath" script had been heavily rewritten, John Colicos was very pleased with the way it wound up depicting Kor. ({{STC|104|19}}) He remarked, "''It was fascinating, all of these years later, to come back to ''Star Trek'', and to come back as an almost entirely different character. He'd grown into this almost Falstaffian blimp of a character.''" ({{STM|55|38}}) Colicos was curious how even his look had changed so drastically in the intervening years. The revised makeup involved in playing the part in "Blood Oath" regularly required Colicos to get up at 4 am. ({{STC|104|19}})
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====Reception====
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The way in which John Colicos established Kor in "Errand of Mercy" pleased several production staffers. Fellow Klingon-playing actor [[Mark Lenard]], who appeared as a [[Amar captain 001|Klingon captain]] in {{film|1}}, described Colicos as "a very good Klingon." (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 35) At one point, Spock actor [[Leonard Nimoy]] commented that Colicos' initial portrayal as Kor was "''wonderful. He had that authority.''" ({{STC|144|23}}) John Newland was likewise impressed with the same performance, saying of Colicos, "''[He] gave me everything I wanted.''" (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #130, p. 77) Writer and editor [[Robert Greenberger]] once cited Kor as his favorite Klingon. (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 71)
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The official promotional material featuring Kor in his introductory appearance was restricted. "''There is only ''one'' photograph, a head shot of me as Kor that was taken as a publicity still, so there must be many pirated pictures around,''" Colicos once said in the late 1980s. "''I keep getting color photos sent from all different parts of the world, with Bill [Shatner] and myself in a scene. People keep sending them for autographs, so it has become a very identifiable face.''" (''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' #138, p. 18) In a poll to determine favorite Klingons voted by readers of ''{{dis|Starlog|magazine}}'' (a poll which ran between issues 143 and 149 of the magazine, from June 1989 to December of that year), Kor came second to Worf. (''Starlog'' #149) Indeed, many [[Trekkie|''Star Trek'' fans]] came to regard John Colicos as the "King of Klingons," with the actor himself noting, "''There seems to be a cult following on Commander Kor.''" Colicos also remembered that at a 25th Anniversary [[Star Trek convention|''Star Trek'' convention]] at Mason Phillips Square in {{y|1991}} he was given a warm welcome by the attendees, of whom there were fourteen thousand. "''I was the mystery guest. When they announced my name and I came out I thought I was the President of the United States,''" Colicos reminisced. "''It was unbelievable.''" ({{STC|104|19 & 20}})
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===Apocrypha===
  +
[[File:Kor, 2258.png|thumb|Kor discusses L'Rell with his father (2258)]]
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A young Kor appears in the comic miniseries ''[[Star Trek: Discovery - Aftermath]]''. Kor is portrayed as disliking and distrusting Chancellor [[L'Rell]], but he accepts her offer to lead her personal security team at a summit with Federation representatives, including Capt. [[Christopher Pike]] and Lt. [[Spock]].
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Kor was mentioned in the {{novel}} ''[[Dwellers in the Crucible]]'', where his full name was given as "Kor ''epetai'' Zareht".
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In the short story "[[Star Trek: Enterprise Logs|Though Hell Should Bar The Way]]", Kor attacked the USS ''Enterprise'' commanded by [[Robert April]]. This delayed the ''Enterprise'' in getting supplies to [[Tarsus IV]], resulting in the deaths of four thousand colonists.
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In the 1992 [[comic book]] "[[Debt of Honor]]", Kor worked together with Captain Kirk and [[Romulan]] [[Commander]] T'Cel to fight a species of hostile [[insectoid]] [[creature]]s.
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Kor was the main antagonist in the ''[[Star Trek - Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive]]'' crossover series, where he supplied advanced [[rifle]]s to Gorilla general Marius.
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Kor appears in the short story "[[Constellations|The Leader]]", where his son D'kar tried to kill Kirk in revenge for his father's loss of honor at Organia. In another short story, "[[The Unhappy Ones]]", Kor, Koloth, and Kang were sent to [[Beta Thoridar]] to settle a dispute between the smooth-headed ''QuchHa''' Klingons and the [[cranial ridge|ridged]] ''HemQuch'' Klingons.
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In the novel ''[[Treaty's Law]]'', Kirk and Kor worked together to defend a Klingon colony from an [[alien]] race called the Narr. Kirk and Kor again worked together in the novel ''[[The Tears of the Singers]]'', to investigate a mysterious phenomenon near Taygeta V which threatened to destroy the planet.
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The novel ''[[Forged in Fire]]'' detailed the friendship of Kor, Koloth, Kang, and Curzon Dax and the start of their blood feud with the Albino.
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In the comic books "[[Errand of War!]]" and "[[Deadly Allies!]]", Kor and Kirk worked together to thwart the [[Excalbian]]s, who had started a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire as part of their continuing [[experiment]]s on the nature of [[good]] and [[evil]].
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In ''[[Star Trek: Year Four - The Enterprise Experiment]]'' miniseries, Kor attacked a [[mining]] outpost on Loren 5 and destroyed Deep Space Station K-22 as part of a plot to take control of Preserver artifacts on Loren 5.
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[[File:Kor (alternate reality).jpg|thumb|Kor in the alternate reality]]
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The [[alternate reality]] version of Kor appeared, captaining the {{IKS|Klothos}}, in ''[[Star Trek: Nero]]''. Therein, he leads the capture of [[Nero]] and the ''[[Narada]]'', following the ship's collision with the {{USS|Kelvin}} in [[2233]]. In this version of Kor, he has not been affected by the augment virus and appears as a normal Klingon. He also appears in [[Countdown to Darkness, Issue 4|Issue 4]] of the [[IDW]] comic series ''[[Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness]]''.
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The [[mirror universe]] counterpart of {{mb|Kor, son of Rynar (mirror)|Kor}} was featured in the novel ''[[The Sorrows of Empire]]''.
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Kor appeared in the ''[[Star Trek Online]]'' expansion ''Agents of Yesterday''. In the tutorial for the TOS starfleet faction, Kor sends a boarding party onto the player's starship, then the player faces him with the USS ''Enterprise''. In the mission "[[Battle of Caleb IV]]", Kor allies himself with the [[Na'kuhl]] and sets a trap for a group of Federation starships, including the player character. The player is able to defeat Kor, but he gets revenge by destroying their ship.
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===External links===
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* {{startrek.com|database_article/kor||external}}
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*{{wikipedia|Kor (Star Trek)|Kor}}
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*{{mbeta|Kor, son of Rynar}}
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*{{STOwiki}}
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{{featured|date=January 2005|id=52403}}
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[[de:Kor]]
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[[fr:Kor]]
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[[es:Kor]]
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[[Category:Klingons]]
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[[Category:IKS Ch'Tang personnel]]
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[[Category:Klingon military personnel]]
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[[Category:Ambassadors]]
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[[Category:Klingon government officials]]
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[[Category:Governors]]

Latest revision as of 16:36, 26 September 2023

"Long live the Empire!"
– Kor's parting words, 2375 ("Once More Unto the Breach")

Dahar Master Kor, son of Rynar, was a male Klingon military officer and ambassador in the 23rd and 24th centuries. He was among the most influential warriors and respected military leaders of the Klingon Empire. In the United Federation of Planets, he was known chiefly as being partly responsible for the institution of the Treaty of Organia that ended war with the UFP, and for being an adversary of Starfleet Captain James T. Kirk and Chancellor Gowron and a friend of Kang, Koloth, Curzon, and later Jadzia Dax, as well as Worf, son of Mogh.

Kor was the last son of the House of Kor and descendant of the Klingon Imperial Family. He also had a son. He was descended from Klingons affected with the augment virus created in 2154, a product of 22nd century Klingon genetic engineering. By the 24th century, he was cosmetically indistinguishable from an average Klingon. (ENT: "Divergence"; TOS: "Errand of Mercy"; DS9: "Blood Oath")

Throughout his illustrious career, Kor played key roles in many legendary battles against the Federation and Romulan Empire. Kor's influence in the Empire eventually elevated him to the status of Klingon Dahar Master. (DS9: "Blood Oath")

Military career

By the 2260s, Kor had achieved the rank of commander and was assigned to a Klingon warship. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy")

Conflicts with the Federation

In 2267, following the breakdown of peace talks between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, a Federation-Klingon War broke out. The neutral planet of Organia, located in a strategic position between the two powers, became a political hot spot between the Empire and the Federation.

Klingon invasion of Organia

Part of Kor's invasion force on Organia

On stardate 3102.7, Commander Kor led a battalion of five hundred Klingon soldiers in an invasion and occupation of Organia, where he briefly became their military governor. As governor, Kor ruthlessly maintained order on the planet, ruling with an iron fist by maintaining a stringent list of rules, any violation of which was punishable by death. Unknown to Kor at the time, Captain Kirk, posing as an Organian, and Lieutenant Commander Spock, posing as a dealer in kevas and trillium, were among the subjugated. The two Starfleet officers mounted vain guerrilla attacks against Kor and his army. Meanwhile, in orbit around Organia, the Klingon and Federation fleets faced each other in battle.

Kor, 2269

Captain Kor (2269)

Once the hostilities between the two began to reach its climax, all ships suddenly and mysteriously became paralyzed and all weapons became superheated and temporarily rendered useless. Unknown to both sides at the time, the Organians were, in fact, an advanced non-corporeal species, despite their primitive way of life. As quickly as it started, the Organians effectively ended the occupation, the war, and Kor's governorship. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy") The Organians continued to promote peace between the two powers by imposing the Organian Peace Treaty. (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles")

Within two years, Kor became the commanding officer of the IKS Klothos. In 2269, Kor again faced his enemy Captain Kirk in battle, when the Klothos engaged the USS Enterprise in the Delta Triangle region. During the battle, the two starships became entangled in a "time trap," a phenomenon unique to that region, pulling the ships into an alternate universe known as Elysia.

Kor attempted to escape, but the Klothos was unable to break free from the region, partly due to its unusual properties, including draining dilithium crystals of their energy. Through cooperation, the crews of the Enterprise and Klothos were able to formulate a strategy by combining their warp power in an effort to overcome both ships' individual power deficiencies.

IKS Klothos

IKS Klothos (2269)

Prior to their attempt, however, Kor had one of his officers, Kali, plant a bomb-like device in the computer room of the Enterprise, set to explode once the starship cleared the phenomenon and reached warp eight. Both ships were able to escape the region, and the destruction of the Enterprise was averted moments before the ship reached warp eight. Nevertheless, Kor claimed responsibility for formulating their combined escape and returned to Klingon space none the worse for wear. (TAS: "The Time Trap")

Kor's ship, the Klothos, was one of the first Klingon vessels equipped with a cloaking device. Kor was said to have spent three days in the engine room taking it apart and studying it before their first mission. This proved critical when he later commanded one of the two Klingon divisions aboard the Klothos, along with Kang, in an attack against the Federation outpost at Caleb IV. During the attack, Kor successfully tricked his opponent by launching a small initial attack, and then striking with the bulk of his forces when the Federation began repair efforts. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Conflicts with Romulans

Kor was involved in several combative entanglements with the Romulan Star Empire. In 2271, Kor led the Klingon Empire to a glorious victory over the Romulans at the legendary Battle of Klach D'kel Brakt. Kor liked recreating the battle so much that he called it up each time he went to the holodeck. On one occasion before he went on his quest to kill The Albino, he was playing this battle in the holosuite and got so drunk with Breshtanti ale that Odo had to put him in a holding cell to sleep it off. (DS9: "Blood Oath") Worf once recalled a story he had heard about Kor during his own childhood, which described Kor's "attack on Romulus." (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless")

Later career

Kor, with fellow warriors Koloth and Kang, held the Korma Pass against T'nag's army in a glorious battle in a trinary star system, where they forced the enemy to fight with the blinding light of three suns in their eyes. The battle ended with the mountainside covered with so many dead that there was not a square meter of ground to be seen. They together feasted on T'nag's heart in celebration of their victory. (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless", "Once More Unto the Breach")

Kor became a close friend to Curzon Dax, the Federation ambassador to Qo'noS, in 2289. In one of their escapades, Kor and Dax broke into the duke's harem on Renavi. In 2370, when Kor and Jadzia Dax, Curzon's successor, were reunited, Dax knew Kor well enough to recall that he had a scorcher burn on his fourteenth rib, and that his left QiVon ached every time his ship hit warp eight. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach", "Blood Oath")

The Albino

The Albino (2370)

During the late 2280s, a band of depredators led by the Albino began raiding Klingon colonies. Three Klingon warships, led by Kor, Koloth, and Kang, were sent out to stop him. Their mission was successful, as they captured most of the depredators. However, the Albino was able to escape. In the Albino's last message to the Klingons, he promised to take his revenge on the firstborn of each of the three captains. Within the space of a few years, he kept his word and managed to infect the warriors' three innocent children with a genetic virus that eventually killed them all. (DS9: "Blood Oath")

In the novel The Tears of the Singers, Kor was married to Kali. Based on this, Kali may have been the mother of the child Kor lost to the Albino.

The Reckoning

In 2290, Kor, Kang, Koloth, and Curzon Dax pledged a blood oath to avenge the deaths of the Klingons' sons, the offense committed by the Albino. They nearly caught him at Galdonterre, but one of their subspace messages was intercepted and he once again was able to escape.

Kor, 2370

Dahar Master Kor on Secarus IV (2370)

After decades of searching, Kang learned of the whereabouts of the Albino in 2370 on the planet Secarus IV. Kang traveled to Secarus IV and discovered his compound. The Albino knew immediately of his arrival and invited the trio to a "fair fight" and one last, glorious battle. Kang contacted both Kor and Koloth for a rendezvous on Deep Space 9, in preparation of their final attempt to complete their long quest.

Three months later, Kor, Koloth, and Kang, with the aid of Jadzia Dax, prepared their attack on the Albino's compound, only to discover that it was a trap. Using the element of surprise, they bombarded the compound with tetryon particles, forcing the Albino and his sentries into face-to-face, hand-to-hand combat. Koloth was fatally wounded fighting the Albino's personal guard. Following a fierce duel, Kang was able to slay the Albino (held at bay by Dax) before he died as well. Having fulfilled their blood oath, both Kang and Koloth died glorious and honorable deaths. (DS9: "Blood Oath")

Political career

Kor was a member of the Oversight Council for the Klingon Defense Forces when (future General) Martok attempted to join in 2345. Kor was responsible for striking Martok's name from the officers' list because his family was from the lowlands of Ketha Province, and due to his influence, Martok was barred from even enlisting as a common soldier. Martok remained bitter about this incident for nearly thirty years. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

In the early 2370s, Kor was serving as the Klingon ambassador to Vulcan. In 2371, a Vulcan expedition found the Shroud of the Sword (of Kahless) among the remains of a Hur'q outpost in the Gamma Quadrant. Using his influence as ambassador, Kor was able to acquire the Shroud from the Vulcans.

Kor, however, had a penchant for drinking and for telling stories. On one drunken occasion in a tavern on Torna IV, Kor held a group spellbound with the story of the ancient cloth and how it was going to lead him to the Sword of Kahless. One member of his audience, Toral, son of Duras, was so intrigued he sent a Lethean named Soto after Kor, aboard Deep Space 9, to steal his memories of the discovery.

Kor and Worf regard the Sword of Kahless

Dax, Kor, and Worf find the Sword of Kahless

In early 2372, Kor, with the assistance of Starfleet officers Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax and Lieutenant Commander Worf, launched a quest to find the legendary Sword of Kahless in the Gamma Quadrant, using the data collected by the Vulcans. While unknown to them at the time, they were being trailed by Toral, who intended to steal the Sword and use it to lead the Empire.

Following the successful discovery of the Sword, the enormous symbolism of it became a matter of contention between Worf and Kor. After realizing that the Sword would only serve to further divide the Klingon Empire, rather than reunite it (as the legends foretold), they set the Sword adrift in interstellar space. (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless")

Lost influence

Kor eats alone

Dahar Master Kor eats alone aboard the Ch'tang (2375)

In 2375, Kor, having long been out of favor with Chancellor Gowron and the High Council, and unable to secure his own command, used his remaining influence to persuade Worf to recommission him into the Klingon Defense Forces. With Worf's assistance, Kor was commissioned to serve as the third officer aboard the IKS Ch'Tang, while they made a daring cavalry raid into Dominion-held space.

Unfortunately, during this time Kor was suffering from frequent lapses of memory and concentration, often losing track of where and when he was. At a critical moment, when both Worf and Martok were incapacitated on the bridge while engaging the Cardassian base on Trelka V, Kor suffered such a lapse. Kor believed himself to be once again engaging the Federation outpost at Caleb IV, at the side of his long-dead friend Kang. As a result of his lapse, the Ch'Tang was nearly destroyed, and the captain and first officer of their sister ship, the IKS Orantho, were killed. They were able to escape the system only to discover that a fleet of Jem'Hadar fighters was pursuing them.

Kor was subsequently relieved of duty. His standing aboard ship changed from an honored hero of legend to a pitiful disgrace. Martok took no joy in Kor's humiliation. Martok mentioned this to Worf when discussing the duty roster. Both officers then agreed that they would speak to Gowron to find an assignment for Kor.

It was through the experience and bravery of Kor and six volunteers that the IKS Ning'tao was able to successfully engage the Jem'Hadar fleet. Realizing that the Jem'Hadar would soon overtake them, Worf had suggested using the Ning'tao to force the enemy out of warp and engage the fleet, intending to lead the attack himself. Before Worf could beam to the doomed ship, however, Kor – secretly informed by Martok's assistant, Darok – stunned him with a hypospray and took command himself. Before leaving, he promised Worf that when he passed into the halls of the honored dead, he would find Worf's beloved wife, Jadzia Dax, and tell her of Worf's love for her and that he had brought her honor.

Kor died pulling off an amazing feat of tactical brilliance for his final mission. His single Klingon Bird-of-Prey stalled ten Jem'Hadar ships long enough for the remaining Klingon ships to reach the Starfleet reinforcements located in the Kalandra sector. Even General Martok put aside the past enough to toast the Dahar Master's bravery, noting that Kor had been "a noble warrior to the end." (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Personal views

Kor was from a generation of Klingons not known for standing on ceremony, eating when hungry and fighting when angry. Kor had a somewhat more progressive view when it came to interactions with other species and genders. Having seen the Trill ambassador Curzon Dax as a brother, he saw no difference calling Jadzia Dax a sister when it was time to fulfill their blood oath. (DS9: "Blood Oath") Kor displayed a calm demeanor when interviewing James T. Kirk on Organia, admitting he held a great admiration for the captain and for Starfleet of the 23rd century; Kor recognized many similarities between Humans and Klingons, seeing the killer instinct within Humanity and likening himself and the captain to tigers. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy") Kor, however, felt that the Klingon social order was important, that nobility was something that Klingons in the early 24th century still held in esteem, and would enforce the status quo of Klingon society by striking the name of common applicants from officer candidate lists. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Appendices

Appearances

Background information

Kor was played by actor John Colicos in all of the character's live-action appearances and was voiced by James Doohan in TAS: "The Time Trap".

Name

There was originally some question as to the pronunciation of Kor's name, as Kirk actor William Shatner decided the way the moniker was said should be altered. "Bill had some idea that it sounded like 'canine corps' or something like that, so he decided to change it," explained John Colicos. "I said, 'But if it's going to be pronounced "Koor," then I'm going to be selling Coors beer.' So, there was a bit of palaver about that, but we wound up doing what we did because it was Bill's suggestion.'" (Starlog #138, pp. 17-18) This pronunciation for Kor's name was listed in the pronunciation guide for "Blood Oath". [1]

In Marc Okrand's tlhIngan Hol language, Kor's name was qor. (The Klingon Dictionary 2nd ed., p. 58)

Introduction

The script for "Errand of Mercy" detailed that, upon being introduced in that episode, Kor was "holding himself proud and erect and firm… obviously a man accustomed to command… warrior."

Having worked with John Colicos before, "Errand of Mercy" Director John Newland selected him to play Kor. (Starlog #130, p. 77) Newland suggested Colicos for the part immediately after being assigned to direct the installment. [2] Colicos was living in either Toronto or New York at the time. (Starlog #138, p. 17; Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, p. 19) He later recalled, "I got a phone call, 'Would you come out to California to do an episode of Star Trek?' I said, 'Yes, of course.' The script was sent. It arrived about two hours before I went to the airport, so I learned the lines on the plane between chicken sandwiches." (Starlog #138, p. 17) Never having heard the species name "Klingon", Colicos was extremely unsure how to portray the role. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, p. 19) After arriving at the Star Trek studios, he immediately went to have Kor's Klingon makeup applied for the first time. The fact that the character was meant to be an ambitious military commander led Colicos – who was given the opportunity to influence his makeup, due to it being such a last-minute job – to suggest drawing influence from Genghis Khan for Kor's appearance. (Starlog #138, p. 17)

Kor was initially to have appeared in "Day of the Dove"; the writer of that episode, Jerome Bixby, very much wanted to cast John Colicos as the installment's main Klingon character. (Starlog #164) Kor was included by Bixby in the third revised story outline for "Day of the Dove", which he submitted on 28 May 1968. The Klingon character was also the subject of a note Bixby sent to Star Trek Producer Gene Roddenberry, along with the newly revised outline. The note read, "Have used the Klingon KOR from 'Errand of Mercy'. The character was strong, the actor wonderful." (These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Three) Colicos was again offered the role and could hardly have been more excited by the prospect of appearing in "Day of the Dove". However, he was unavailable, being involved in a film production in Italy. (Starlog #164) According to Bixby recollecting what Colicos had said, the actor was so frustrated that he couldn't portray Kor in "Day of the Dove" (due to his film commitment) that when he first read the episode's script he wept, threw himself at walls, banging his head, and almost jumped off a balcony, but resisted the urge to do so. (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 71; Starlog #164) Ultimately, Kor was written out of the episode's script by Fred Freiberger, with a revised final draft script submitted by him on 19 August 1968. The elimination of Kor definitely had some aftereffects. For example, it was implied in the episode that there was already some pre-existing familiarity between Kang, who was created to replace Kor's role in the story, and Captain Kirk. Also, a line of dialogue which needed to be cut was one of the first the Klingon spoke in the script, when he exclaimed, "Kirk! The last time we met – an incident! This time, you will be cut up in your own stew!" (These Are the Voyages: TOS Season Three)

In fact, John Colicos was twice asked to reprise the role of Kor during the original broadcast run of Star Trek: The Original Series; Gene Roddenberry wanted to make the character a recurring one. (Starlog #138, p. 18) In a 1999 interview, Colicos admitted, "I always wonder how it all would have materialised had I been more available during the original series." (Star Trek Monthly issue 55, p. 38)

Reappearances

During the writing of the episode "Blood Oath", the writing staffers who worked on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine struggled with deciding what direction to take the character of Kor in, more than they did with Kang and Koloth. "We weren't sure about him," conceded Ira Steven Behr. "His character was a tougher nut to crack." Peter Allan Fields, who was credited with writing the episode's story and teleplay, based Kor's persona on the Shakespeare character Falstaff. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion (p. 132))

When John Colicos was needed to play Kor in "Blood Oath", DS9's casting personnel managed to quickly find the actor. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion (p. 131)) Being invited to return as Kor surprised Colicos, though. "When I first read parts of the script I said, 'No, no, no, you're making a travesty of what has become a cult figure, this super marshal warrior.' I had a long talk with Michael Piller and he said I only had the first part of the script and that they were going to do this and that. He said that I was going to become a heroic figure in the end." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, p. 19)

One issue that John Colicos had with the script for "Blood Oath", while the DS9 producers were uncertain whether to kill off the entire trio of returning Klingons or allow one to survive, was that he wanted Kor to be kept alive. "I said, 'If one of us is left alive, then I, like Ishmael, have to be left to tell the story.' I said I didn't want to be killed off, otherwise I'd have preferred just to be remembered as the initial Commander Kor that people saw in the original series [...] I really would not have done it. The way the character evolved, I thought that unless I got some opportunity to leave in the public's mind the idea that Kor didn't just turn into a fat, old Falstaffian drunk, but that he had some heroic, redemptive qualities left in him, there was no point in my doing the show. I didn't want to destroy a whole image just for the sake of one appearance." Following much consideration and writing, the DS9 producers decided that Kor was the one who would live. "I don't know whether or not my being the first Klingon on Star Trek," Colicos mused, "influenced them in any way." (Star Trek Monthly issue 55, p. 38)

Once the "Blood Oath" script had been heavily rewritten, John Colicos was very pleased with the way it wound up depicting Kor. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, p. 19) He remarked, "It was fascinating, all of these years later, to come back to Star Trek, and to come back as an almost entirely different character. He'd grown into this almost Falstaffian blimp of a character." (Star Trek Monthly issue 55, p. 38) Colicos was curious how even his look had changed so drastically in the intervening years. The revised makeup involved in playing the part in "Blood Oath" regularly required Colicos to get up at 4 am. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, p. 19)

Reception

The way in which John Colicos established Kor in "Errand of Mercy" pleased several production staffers. Fellow Klingon-playing actor Mark Lenard, who appeared as a Klingon captain in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, described Colicos as "a very good Klingon." (Starlog #138, p. 35) At one point, Spock actor Leonard Nimoy commented that Colicos' initial portrayal as Kor was "wonderful. He had that authority." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 144, p. 23) John Newland was likewise impressed with the same performance, saying of Colicos, "[He] gave me everything I wanted." (Starlog #130, p. 77) Writer and editor Robert Greenberger once cited Kor as his favorite Klingon. (Starlog #138, p. 71)

The official promotional material featuring Kor in his introductory appearance was restricted. "There is only one photograph, a head shot of me as Kor that was taken as a publicity still, so there must be many pirated pictures around," Colicos once said in the late 1980s. "I keep getting color photos sent from all different parts of the world, with Bill [Shatner] and myself in a scene. People keep sending them for autographs, so it has become a very identifiable face." (Starlog #138, p. 18) In a poll to determine favorite Klingons voted by readers of Starlog (a poll which ran between issues 143 and 149 of the magazine, from June 1989 to December of that year), Kor came second to Worf. (Starlog #149) Indeed, many Star Trek fans came to regard John Colicos as the "King of Klingons," with the actor himself noting, "There seems to be a cult following on Commander Kor." Colicos also remembered that at a 25th Anniversary Star Trek convention at Mason Phillips Square in 1991 he was given a warm welcome by the attendees, of whom there were fourteen thousand. "I was the mystery guest. When they announced my name and I came out I thought I was the President of the United States," Colicos reminisced. "It was unbelievable." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 104, pp. 19 & 20)

Apocrypha

Kor, 2258

Kor discusses L'Rell with his father (2258)

A young Kor appears in the comic miniseries Star Trek: Discovery - Aftermath. Kor is portrayed as disliking and distrusting Chancellor L'Rell, but he accepts her offer to lead her personal security team at a summit with Federation representatives, including Capt. Christopher Pike and Lt. Spock.

Kor was mentioned in the novel Dwellers in the Crucible, where his full name was given as "Kor epetai Zareht".

In the short story "Though Hell Should Bar The Way", Kor attacked the USS Enterprise commanded by Robert April. This delayed the Enterprise in getting supplies to Tarsus IV, resulting in the deaths of four thousand colonists.

In the 1992 comic book "Debt of Honor", Kor worked together with Captain Kirk and Romulan Commander T'Cel to fight a species of hostile insectoid creatures.

Kor was the main antagonist in the Star Trek - Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive crossover series, where he supplied advanced rifles to Gorilla general Marius.

Kor appears in the short story "The Leader", where his son D'kar tried to kill Kirk in revenge for his father's loss of honor at Organia. In another short story, "The Unhappy Ones", Kor, Koloth, and Kang were sent to Beta Thoridar to settle a dispute between the smooth-headed QuchHa' Klingons and the ridged HemQuch Klingons.

In the novel Treaty's Law, Kirk and Kor worked together to defend a Klingon colony from an alien race called the Narr. Kirk and Kor again worked together in the novel The Tears of the Singers, to investigate a mysterious phenomenon near Taygeta V which threatened to destroy the planet.

The novel Forged in Fire detailed the friendship of Kor, Koloth, Kang, and Curzon Dax and the start of their blood feud with the Albino.

In the comic books "Errand of War!" and "Deadly Allies!", Kor and Kirk worked together to thwart the Excalbians, who had started a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire as part of their continuing experiments on the nature of good and evil.

In Star Trek: Year Four - The Enterprise Experiment miniseries, Kor attacked a mining outpost on Loren 5 and destroyed Deep Space Station K-22 as part of a plot to take control of Preserver artifacts on Loren 5.

Kor (alternate reality)

Kor in the alternate reality

The alternate reality version of Kor appeared, captaining the IKS Klothos, in Star Trek: Nero. Therein, he leads the capture of Nero and the Narada, following the ship's collision with the USS Kelvin in 2233. In this version of Kor, he has not been affected by the augment virus and appears as a normal Klingon. He also appears in Issue 4 of the IDW comic series Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness.

The mirror universe counterpart of Kor (β) was featured in the novel The Sorrows of Empire.

Kor appeared in the Star Trek Online expansion Agents of Yesterday. In the tutorial for the TOS starfleet faction, Kor sends a boarding party onto the player's starship, then the player faces him with the USS Enterprise. In the mission "Battle of Caleb IV", Kor allies himself with the Na'kuhl and sets a trap for a group of Federation starships, including the player character. The player is able to defeat Kor, but he gets revenge by destroying their ship.

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