CHISS

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The Chiss are near human species hailing from the planet Csilla in the Unknown Regions. Their existence was a mystery to the galaxy at large until some five more after the Battle of Endor when Grand Admiral Thrawn, a Chiss rallied to the scattered Imperial forces and almost destroyed the New Republic. Even then Thrawn’s species remained virtually unknown until decades later. The Chiss control over two dozen star systems from the Chiss home world. New Republic scientist (and many Chiss historians) believe that the species is descended from a very old Human colony perhaps even predating the founding of the Old Republic. The Chiss species has a rigid disciplined society that xenosociologist attribute to the cold climate of their home world. They do not show signs of decades of greedy behavior so most relate Chiss colonial expansion to a desire to impose order onto chaotic nearby star systems. Chiss society is controlled by four ruling “families”-not true biological groups, but effectively four separate branches of government. The Csepla clan dictates colonial issues, natural resources and agriculture; The Nuruodo family (the clan of the famed Grand Admiral Thrawn) controls the military and foreign affairs; the Inrokini handle industry, the sciences, communication and non-military technology. The Sabosen clan oversees justice, public health and education. Chiss codes of conduct forbid them to strike first. Thrawn violated this code by executing a preemptive strike against the Outbound Flight project, a Jedi expedition launched just before the fall of the Old Republic. His exile eventually brought him to the attention of the Emperor. Once attacked, the Chiss do not rest until the attackers are destroyed or completely subjugated. The Ssi-ruuk Imperium was all but destroyed by Chiss fleets after the republican conquerors assaulted outlying Chiss colonies for example. Chiss who have dealt with the Empire of the New Republic have almost universally been operatives of the Nuruodo family.

**Personality:** As a species, the Chiss are disciplined, cold and arrogant. They strive to gain the advantage in any tactical or social situation. Chiss who consort with non Chiss never completely shake their xenophobic instincts. Around non-Chiss and other potential enemies a Chiss remains pensive and aloof, constantly plotting tactics to ensure victory in a possible confrontation. After suffering a defeat or setback, a Chiss often contemplates what might be done differently to ensure victory next time. Chiss display a great deal of interest in the arts and sciences of other cultures. They study the culture of a potential enemy the way a biologist would observe the behavior of a dangerous insect-with detachment and extreme caution.

**Physical Description:** The Chiss have blue skin and glowing red eyes, the shades of which grow darker depending on the level of oxygen in the atmosphere they breathe. The higher the level of oxygen, the more intense the color of a Chiss’s eyes and skin. Their hair is usually black, although in some rare cases it turns gray with age. This is particularly common among females and is signifies someone whose children will have great impact on Chiss society. Male and female Chiss tend to be more powerfully built than baseline humans, but otherwise they exhibit the same variances that exist between humanoid sexes. They stand between 1.6 and 2.1 meters tall.

H**ome World:** Csilla, a frigid world in the Unknown Regions.

**Language:** Chiss speak and read Cheunh, a complex language. To master the language, non-Chiss must spend 2 points for the Read/Write Cheunh skill and 2 points for the Speak Cheunh skill. Chiss can speak Basic with ease, but few know the language since it is uncommon in their empire.

**Example Names:** Chiss have long three-part names, which they abbreviate when dealing with non-Chiss. Case in point, the Chiss named Mitth’raw’nuruodo is better known as Thrawn. Other abbreviated names: Drell, Prakk, Karyce, Lev, Sorn, Szarda, Voss, Zilvad.

**CHISS SPECIES TRAITS**

• • Ability Modifiers: +2 Intelligence

• • Medium: As medium size creature. Chiss have no special modifiers due to their size.

• • Speed: Chiss base speed is 10 meters.

• • Low-light vision: Chiss can see twice as far as a human in dim light.

• • Human Sub-type: This trait meas that Chiss are considered human for purpose of determining whether the character is susceptible to certain diseases that only effect humans. Additionally, Chiss are considered human for purpose of determining whether the character qualifies for racial templates that require the character to be human, and Advanced Classes that require the character to be human.

• • Knowledge Is Power: A Chiss may add +2 to any Knowledge skill that they have at least 1 skill rank in.

• • A Chiss may chose 2 of the following skills as class skills: Knowledge (any), Profession (any), Craft (any), Drive, or Pilot.

• • Free Language Skills: Read/Write and Speak Cheunh.