Hey all!
Although I've lapsed in my posting, I HAVE been poking my head in a bit now and then, and now I have a question that can only be resolved on these boards.
My players and I are beginning a Klingon campaign set just after ST6: The Undiscovered Country. Our gallant crew is serving on a Bird of Prey and dealing with the chaos caused by the loss of Praxis and the repurcussions through the Empire.
I've read everything Klingon I can get my hands on, and one thing that seems to have slipped through the cracks (the ones in my mind), is the agonizer.
It showed up in the TOS Mirror, Mirror episode, and was later recycled for the TOS Klingons only to disappear.
My problem lies in how to reconcile such a device into the crew discipline on a standard Bird of Prey, and how to reconcile it to Klingon honor. I personally think such a device is somewhat less-than-honorable.
I am inclined to think of it as something left to the Captain's discretion, and used (if at all) for minor transgressions of duty- something that wouldn't warrant a court-martial or summary execution.
Also, I don't know how it would fit into the Klingon honor system, except that the Klingons use pain for ritual and ceremonial purposes (such as bachelor parties and rites of passage).
Perhaps the agonizer could be considered a form of penance (cleansing one's honor through suffering)?
Any thoughts, tips, hints, or otherwise evil suggestions will be cheerfully considered and inflicted upon my helpless victims