Chiss

## Biology

### Physiology

Chiss look very similar to humans with several notable differences. Their skin is blue in nature, and in cases silver. Their hair is typically anywhere between a silver color to a shimmering blue-black naturally, and grows in styles similar to human hair.  Eyes are a glowing crimson red, with a lighter shade of red for their pupil.

Genetic analysis indicates common genetic markers between humans of their galaxy, and their species.  The running archaeological and paleontological theory is when the Chiss migrated to underground caves and dwellings, their genetic structure evolved into the Chiss of today in order to adjust to this subterranean environment.  This includes their increased hearing capabilities and infrared vision.

Their circulatory, neurological, digestive, and reproductive systems match humans of their galaxy.  Many of the conditions that affected humans also affected Chiss due to this similarity.  Milky Way humans, as common in Federation space, share eighty percent of the same genetic coding for each of these systems, allowing for human-standard medication to grant moderate effectiveness.

The average Chiss have highly active metabolisms, which allow for slimmer figures, and lower body temperature. An individual would have to go out of their way in order to become obese.  Outside of their galaxy these metabolic benefits would persist, with diminished returns within the Milky Way galaxy.

Most Chiss grow between 1.6 meters (5 foot - 3 inches) and 2.1 meters (6 foot – 11 inches) tall.  Just like humans, there are weird exceptions to this rule.   Depending on the point of history, both genders would have the same average height, or later in their history the male of the species would start averaging taller than the female members.  Inside of the Milky Way galaxy however their evolutionary track remains with having the same average height.

Chiss develop faster than human children.  Physical maturity is typically hit at ten years of age which is the human equivalent of twenty years of age, and emotional maturity typically coincides, although this depends on the cultural nurture.  Many Chiss are introduced into more abstract professions and tactical roles due to this level of mental growth.

### Lifespan

Chiss lifespans mirror in many ways the typical human lifespan.  Human advancements in Federation space have pushed their upper limit to the maximum lifespans humans can achieve.  Chiss from their original galaxy will be prone to earlier death due to the harsher conditions, and the micro-organism life force found within every substance in their galaxy.

### Medical Conditions

They share many of the same medical conditions your average human can experience.  The development cycle for their children can increase the likelihood of developmental disease occurring earlier in life.  Their increase mental acuity also lends the species to developing mental illnesses in their mid-life.

Many in their origin galaxy develop personality disorders due to the strict individualism and selfish nurture in their society.  This is not as common if they originate within the Milky Way galaxy.

## History

### Pre-Warp

All of this history occurred outside of the Milky Way galaxy within their original galaxy.  Warp technology was never developed in their galaxy due to the nature of hyperspace lanes within their galaxy. The origins begin before the formation of the Old Republic within their galaxy.

According to legends, their home world of Csillia was originally a tropical world until their star died.  At this point their advanced technology was used to migrate the Chiss survivors whom were unable to escape the planet underground.  This period forced the Chiss to reinvent themselves with a brand new language, and develop their own versions of many technologies.

The Chiss maintained independence for a long period of time, although their society encouraged selfish behaviors, and actions that would maintain their independence from larger organizations.  They supported efforts such as the Sith Empire, and Galactic Empire at various points in their history.  The specifics have been relegated to memory banks instead of instructed if they are born in Delta Vega’s colony.

A group of Chiss broke off from the Chiss Ascendency in order to integrate into the larger galactic scene. The group consisted of a single colonial ship contained one thousand women, men, and children from a variety of professions suitable for their own civilization. This ship encountered an anomaly which propelled them outside of their galaxy.

Upon entering the Milky Way galaxy, they arrived at the edge of Gorn and Lyran space at Mizar II. It was quickly determined their hyperdrive engines were useless within this region of space, and their regular engines would not take them far.  This was a short lived reality however as good fortunes were found on Mizar II.  There was a crashed Lyran cruiser was ripe for salvage, and the Mizarians offered assistance for feeding these colonists. The Chiss engineers on board the colony ship started modifying their vessel with parts from the Cruiser, and the Mizarians assisted bringing their vessel to Milky Way standards.  The year was 2262 when this endeavor was started.

The Chiss finished modifications in 2267, and proceeded out in the direction of Federation space.  This coincided a week after the events of Cestus III with the USS Enterprise and first contact with the Gorn Ascendency.

### First Contact

he Chiss colony ship could only travel Warp Factor 6, which is equivalent to current scale Warp 1.  They traveled in the direction of Ceti Alpha V, and encountered the USS Enterprise two weeks into their journey from Mizar II.  The colonial authority worked an agreement to be accepted as refugees by the Federation, and was permitted to wait near Vulcan space while it was formalized.

They passed standard tests for what the Federation looks for in new members, and they were approved settlement on Delta Vega within the Vulcan system, as no other Federation member species saw it as a suitable planet for habitation.  The Chiss setup an underground colony with a surface station

### Warp

Delta Vega Colony developed with assistance from the Andorians and Vulcans for many years within Federation space.  The colony dictated when their members were ready for service in Starfleet and remained outside of Starfleet for years.  After Wolf 359, Chiss started sending officer candidates to Starfleet Academy and other citizens enlisted into primarily Operations, Engineering, and Science positions.

## Culture

### Beliefs

Self-reliance at all costs is drilled into their core, and to proceed with logic in their actions. The Chiss of their prime galaxy are xenophobic due to the required reliance on themselves when the galaxy as a large could have helped during their crisis all years ago. Delta Vega colonists and Chiss in Federation space align more with the core values of their utopia with mindsets both Vulcan and Andorian in nature.

Philosophy, Anthropology, Science, and Mathematics come naturally for the Chiss in both galaxies, despite their origin’s xenophobic tendencies. These were core methodologies for understanding the world around them, and form strategies for potential adversaries. In Federation space they developed their artistic side as part of these tenants for a just and free Chiss society within the United Federation of Planets.

### Family

In their original galaxy family units were not common. Instead they would rely upon the infrastructure for the ruling family they were birthed into. The state provided everything they would need outside of the traditional family unit, and this allowed for the optimal up-bringing for the Chiss.

In Delta Vega, they studied the norms for most species within Federation space, and gradually migrated towards independent family units. These often resembled large households, and it was not uncommon for inter-‘family’ gatherings to deepen their ties together. Outside species integrated into a family would also be required to learn their family dynamic as this bond is maintained despite their departure from the colony.

### Society

In their original galaxy, everything is on the table in order to further the Chiss, and their reign over the region. The ends justify the means regardless of the moral and ethical implications involved. From the outside they are viewed as either a neutral or evil group due to this view.

### Behavior

Every interaction must have a strategic or logical angle to their response. Security and tactical officers are more likely to appreciate the Chiss’ need for their tactical approach. Their xenophobic tendencies in their prime galaxy are the only aspect which throws off the strategic and logical aspects of everyday decisions.

Delta Vega Chiss in turn are xenophiles, and benefit in their strategic and logical pursuits. They are more likely to gravitate to cooperative roles in society as a result of this starkly different mindset. This is perfect for the core ideology Starfleet was founded upon, and they would apply their skills for the benefit of the Federation.

### Rituals

Every interaction must have a strategic or logical angle to their response. Security and tactical officers are more likely to appreciate the Chiss’ need for their tactical approach. Their xenophobic tendencies in their prime galaxy are the only aspect which throws off the strategic and logical aspects of everyday decisions.  [3]

Delta Vega Chiss in turn are xenophiles, and benefit in their strategic and logical pursuits. They are more likely to gravitate to cooperative roles in society as a result of this starkly different mindset.  This is perfect for the core ideology Starfleet was founded upon, and they would apply their skills for the benefit of the Federation.

### **Recreational**

Recreation was not a word within their original universe. However they pursued art outside of their obligation to society. It helped develop aspects of their adversaries, and express themselves in this society hell-bent on progress above all else.

In the Delta Vega colony, recreational activities formed and were encouraged. Many participated in the sport of Strategema and Three Dimensional Chess, forming their own leagues within the colony. The only physical sport they participated in was Racquetball, due to the math required along with the strategy.

### Language

Their ancestral language is Cheunh for their original galaxy. This language required forming larger words from seemingly unrelated words in order to convey complex ideas. There were few core words as a result, and Federation equivalents were formed from piecing together words. Spoken Cheunh was thus convoluted and complex, which initially threw the universal translators for a loop.

Written Cheunh was not much better as there was never a phonetic alphabet formed for the language. This required heavy instruction in proper use of the core words and their combinations for any attempt to form proper words and grammar.

Delta Vega Chiss developed a methodology for teaching this language outside of their colony. They published a set of texts for use within standard language instructions in the primary years, and a larger anthology designed for secondary education or Starfleet Academy instruction. In the mid-2300s Chiss linguists became professors at Starfleet Academy in order to offer Cheunh as an elective, and as part of introducing the larger galaxy to their people.

### Naming Conventions

Traditional naming conventions are composed of three distinct sections typically separated by an apostrophe. The first section and last section of their names indicate family names, with the latter specifying the ruling family affiliation or profession, and the middle formed their given name. Due to how long and complex these names are, they would typically have a common nickname associated with it. Many use the last sound of their first name, their given name, and the opening sound of their last name in order to form their common nickname. There are cases where they used their given name if the first and last names don’t make sense.

Delta Vegas colonists kept the first two portions of their names structured in the same way. The final portion of their name would either indicate a profession, or function as a second given name. Many relationships formed outside of the Chiss household utilized this final partition for their mates’ name (Per final example).

#### Example Names

* Miith’raw’nuruodo – Thrawn
* Hess’irolia’nuruodo – Irolia
* Miith’klu’pro – Klu
* Kaas’tersa’dija – Tersa or Stersad

## Technology

### Ships

Their ship designs were imitations of both Sith Empire and Galactic Empire designs. They are very clean, and blocky in nature. The Delta Vega colonists adapted the Cheyenne model of quad nacelles to every vessel they created, including their small craft designs.

### Stations

Chiss stations in their galaxy are imitations of others in the galaxy, but typically with more tactical fortitude. In Delta Vega they relied on Vulcan and Federation designs for their orbital stations.

### Weapons

The Chiss loved to develop in a similar way the various Galactic Empires did within their galaxy. The Delta Vega colony adapted Naboo blaster design for phaser technology.

### Unique Technology

Bacta Tanks were quite common within their galaxy for medical regeneration. This is the one piece of technology that still works within the Milky Way galaxy.

## Original Home Planet - Csilla

### Overview

Csilla is an ice-locked planet in an Unknown Region of their galaxy.  This planet consists of a dead surface region, and a vast underground tunnel network.

### Ecosystem

The surface is frigid cold with no opportunity for warmth on the surface.  It is generally ‘night’ during all times of the day due to the lack of a star.  All life can only be found in the underground tunnels.

### Government

The Chiss Ascendancy is a representative oligarchy. There are four ruling families, functioning as branches of government, which must approve the actions of the public representatives. The public representatives are split into the Cabinet and Parliament, with the Cabinet handling intricacies of governance and are picked by the ruling families, and the Parliament chosen by colonial elections.

The ruling families are as follows:

* Csapla – Involved in colonial affairs, natural resources, and agriculture
* Nuruoda – Involved with military and foreign affairs
* Inrokini – Involved with industry, science, communication, and civilian technology
* Sabosen – Involved with justice, public health, and education

No single ruling family maintained absolute control over the Ascendency, which allowed for consistent expansion.

### Space Infrastructure

This society has a propensity for law and order, and their space forces reflected this effort. They maintained the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force with the duties of expanding the Chiss Ascendancy or defending their existing territory. This fleet contained the majority of their capital starships.  Each colonial world also maintained their own fleet known as Phalanxes with independent operation from the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force for the purpose of defending their specific colony.

Any officer placed in a senior position was barred from membership within their ruling family affiliation in order to maintain a neutral chain of command. This also allowed for proper advancement off of their subordinates’ merit rather than family connections. This was one of the least corrupt aspects of the Ascendency.

### Ground Infrastructure

Most of the Chiss resources were placed in their space forces, and they also recognized the need for ground forces. A wide range of armored vehicles and infantry armors were created to fit a wide range of tactical scenarios. Each colony maintained an armory of these technologies, and each capital ship would maintain a small contingency of these forces.

Many installations were underground in nature, and any above ground installations would utilize underground heating and energy methodologies.

### Important Landmarks

Any landmarks would be underground, and thus would not be a defining mark of the planet. The surface world was quite dead.

## Current Homeworld - Delta Vega

### Overview

This world was an ice world with a cave network buried under layers of ice. Ice covered every corner of the planet.

### Ecosystem

The planet almost mirrored a desert with ice dotting every spec of the surface. One would have to drill deeper in order to find liquid water or the cave systems. It benefitted from the presence of the Vulcan system’s star for much needed warmth in comparison to Csilla.  Despite this harsh surface climate, life has evolved.

### Government

They adopted a representative system based off of each profession used in society.  As new technologies emerged, new professions emerged with representatives of that profession. The representative council legislated and executed legislation and a separate justice system emerged as the balancing act. When they integrated with Starfleet, a third branch was formed of alien species.

### Space Infrastructure

They only maintain a couple of defensive ships, and mostly small craft. Their design philosophy is only incorporated into Starfleet vessels later when more intergalactic conflicts arose. Vulcans and Andorians supplemented their lack of space presence.

### Ground Infrastructure

They maintain most of their infrastructure underground, much like their origin world. The ground station functioned as a diplomatic hub, and a security checkpoint for the security of the remaining colony.

### Important Landmarks

Like their original homeworld, the only landmarks are giant ice sheets all over the place.

## Roleplay Implications

### Backstory Implications

Most Chiss will be originating from the Delta Vega colony or elsewhere in the Federation within The Next Generation era and later. Otherwise they will have to somehow make the trip from their galaxy into the Milky Way galaxy. The later will involve the politics of their galaxy.

### Typical Character Implications

Delta Vega colony or Federation citizens will have the utopian ideas in their upbringing. The other galaxy Chiss will tend to be more selfish in their decisions, and untrusting.