Chiss Ascendancy

The **Chiss Ascendancy** is an independent interstellar government ruling over Chiss Space in the Unknown Regions. It is an aristocratic oligarchy ruled by the Six Ruling Families of the Chiss.

## History

The Chiss, characterized by a pronounced xenophobia and a belief in their inherent superiority, adopted an isolationist stance to preserve their perceived superiority over other species. Their reluctance to engage in trade beyond their borders was evident, yet despite this isolationism, Chiss goods, such as charrics, found their way into Republic markets by 3951 BBY.

During the resurgence of the Sith Empire in 3681 BBY, amid the Great Galactic War and the Cold War against the Republic, the Chiss Ascendancy stood as the sole ally of the Empire. In contrast to the subjugated species under the Empire's rule, some Chiss even served as Imperial Agents. The dynamics shifted with the rise of the Eternal Empire in 3636 BBY, leading the Ascendancy to relinquish its two wealthiest industrial worlds to Emperor Arcann as tribute in exchange for continued autonomy. However, with the fall of the Eternal Empire to the Alliance six years later, the Ascendancy swiftly reclaimed its worlds with the support of the Sith Empire.

In a historical context predating 1000 BBY, the Brotherhood of Darkness conducted a raid on the Unknown Regions, relocating a regiment of Chiss to Thule. Centuries later, Count Dooku recruited the Force-sensitive Chiss General Sev'rance Tann and her lover, Vandalor, into the armed forces of the Confederacy of Independent Systems before the Clone Wars. During this conflict, the Ascendancy engaged in diplomatic discussions with the Republic, expressing a stance of neutrality.

The Chiss played a crucial role during the later stages of the Yuuzhan Vong War, aligning with the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances against the invaders. Post-war, they maintained closer relations with the Galactic Alliance.

A significant conflict for the Ascendancy was the Swarm War, where the insectoid Killiks disrupted Chiss space. This led to a full-scale war initiated by Jacen Solo and his allies, ultimately resolved with the capture of the Colony's leader, Raynar Thul, and the destruction of the Dark Nest.

During the Sith–Imperial War, the Chiss became entangled in the conflict on the Fel Empire's side, as Fehlaaur'aitel'loro, the Chiss diplomat, assumed the role of a Moff and head of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps.
Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire allowed the Chiss Ascendancy to maintain autonomy but asserted control by elevating heads of Chiss houses to high-ranking positions within the new Empire. In 138 ABY, amidst the Second Imperial Civil War, the Ascendancy opted for neutrality, remaining unresponsive to Imperial requests for open liaisons, akin to the Hapes Consortium.

In the year 1001 ABY, the Galactic Federation Triumvirate sought passage through the Chiss Ascendancy's hyperlanes in their quest to locate the Resurgent.

Post the Battle of the Resurgent, the Chiss Ascendancy found itself engaged in diplomatic discourse with Lord Zulos of the Sith Dominion, who later assumed the title of Darth Ingenium. The outcome of these negotiations resulted in a significant accord between the Sith and the Chiss, wherein both parties committed to non-interference in each other's affairs. This diplomatic understanding aimed to establish a framework for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between the Sith Dominion and the Chiss Ascendancy, fostering a delicate balance in the galactic landscape.

## Government

The Chiss societal framework was structured around an oligarchy, guided by extended Ruling Families hailing from House Palace in the heart of Csaplar. Under the leadership of Aristocra, each clan within these families distinguished themselves with specific colors, reflecting their clan and family loyalties. The decision-making process involved a democratically elected parliamentary body representing the 28 colonies. From there, matters ascended through a cabinet of appointed governors and reached the ruling families, where decisions from the parliament or cabinet could be sanctioned for implementation.

Each extended ruling family shouldered specific government responsibilities: House Sabosen managed social issues like justice, health, and education; House Inrokini oversaw industry and science; House Csapla handled colonial affairs, agriculture, and resource redistribution; House Chaf assumed a pivotal role in diplomatic affairs, particularly in dealings with foreign empires; House Nuruodo took charge of military and foreign affairs. In a significant adjustment, House Mitth was jointly entrusted with military affairs alongside House Nuruodo, recognizing their shared responsibility in shaping the Chiss's defense strategies. House Csapla's role in redistributing resources held particular importance within the Chiss's collectivist-socialist economic system, securing their prominent position among the ruling families.

Despite equal representation in the Chiss government, a deliberate effort was made to minimize family identity. Chiss leaders eschewed the use of names, relying on distinctive robes for identification to foster an impartial decision-making process. While power struggles were absent among the extended ruling families, three lesser clans vied for increased authority.

The Chiss's substantial financial resources sustained their supply lines and granted access to independent shipyards. These facilities played a crucial role in maintaining a constant patrol of Chiss vessels. Through strategic methods, the Chiss established a poacher base at the Etyyy hunting grounds on Kashyyyk, showcasing their adept navigation of diplomatic and economic landscapes.

## Military

The military force of the Chiss Ascendancy was a formidable and well-disciplined entity, tasked with safeguarding the advanced and meticulously ordered worlds under its influence. The Chiss's unwavering belief in rigid discipline permeated their armed forces, employing cutting-edge technology when necessary to repel potential threats. Within the context of the Unknown Regions, the Chiss perceived themselves as a bastion of order amidst the surrounding chaos.

Despite a history marked by near-constant warfare and conquest of other worlds, the Chiss were not inherently violent. Their preference leaned towards defensive postures, navigating threats from the Unknown Regions and Outer Rim, such as the Ssi-ruuk and the Vagaari, with whom they engaged in three wars. The Yuuzhan Vong War prompted Thrawn's collaboration with Palpatine to counter the extragalactic threat in the Unknown Regions. The later Killik incursion further tested their defensive capabilities.

The Chiss military apparatus comprised two primary organizations: the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force and the Colonial Phalanxes, both under the joint leadership of Houses Nuruodo and Mitth. The Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet diligently patrolled Chiss borders and space, serving as a diplomatic tool in addition to its military role. Each of the 28 colonies was safeguarded by a phalanx, led by a Syndic or House leader, responsible for countering any threats that evaded the fleet's vigilance. In times of crisis, segments of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet reinforced themselves by drawing upon nearby phalanxes, fortifying border patrols.

The Chiss Army and Navy operated tributarily, with each Chiss colony world dispatching a complete phalanx to Csilla for command by the joint leadership of Houses Nuruodo and Mitth. Around 978 BBY, the Ascendancy underwent a significant shift in doctrine, moving away from a defensive-only stance and enacting a prohibition on preemptive warfare. This strategic adjustment reflected the Chiss's commitment to adaptability while maintaining their core principles in the face of evolving galactic challenges.

## Society

During the Galactic Alliance era, direct interactions between the broader galactic community and Chiss civilians appeared notably absent. The understanding of the Chiss people primarily derived from engagements with military entities and limited interactions with political and diplomatic envoys. Consequently, the military and ruling elite stood out as the most comprehensively studied facets of Chiss society, or at the very least, the most extensively documented. Individuals belonging to a Ruling Family had the potential for being “released” and subsequently “rematched,” though the precise mechanics of these processes remained elusive. Notably, the Chiss lacked a formal institution of marriage. The leadership hierarchy within each Family was structured around siblings, accompanied by cousins and esteemed distant relatives, delineating a clear order of authority.

## Chiss Space

In total, the Ascendancy consists of Csilla and twenty-eight inhabited colonies, although the Ascendancy contains several hundred thousand-star systems within or near its borders. Information on all planets and star systems visited by the Chiss is kept in the Expeditionary Library on Csilla.

## Members

### Aristocra

* Cegha'sauwu'csapla
* Plett'itoni'chaf
* Rer'oman'inrokini
* Slirt'egaur'mitth
* Tless'otat'sabosen
* Zerm'enozi'nuruodo

## Affiliations

### Neutral

* Galactic Federation Triumvirate
	+ Fel Empire
	+ New Jedi Order
* Sith Dominion

## Trivia

* The Faction infobox was first created to be used for the Chiss Ascendancy.
	+ It was later adapted for several other factions.
* The plan was to have all nine ruling families be active, but a lack of information on the families Brast, Prard and Miurani made it necesarry to exclude them.
	+ Notably, both House Nuruodo and House Mitth are responsible for military affairs.
	+ House Nuruodo's responsibilities also clash with House Chaf as both are responsible for foreign policy.