Chiss Ascendancy/Legends

The Chiss Ascendancy was a portion of the Galaxy just inside the Unknown Regions ruled by the Chiss.

Planets
In addition to Csilla, planets within its territories included Yashuvhu, Sarvchi, Crustai, Rhigar in the Rata Nebula, and planets in The Redoubt. In total, the Ascendency consisted of Csilla and twenty-eight inhabited colonies. Information on all planets and star systems visited by the Chiss were kept in the Expeditionary Library on Csilla.

Government
The Chiss were governed by an oligarchy of four extended ruling families from House Palace, located in Csaplar. Each clan with the families was headed by leaders known as Aristocra who wore particular colors to indicate their clan and family loyalties. Standard and day-to-day decisions were made by a democratically elected parliamentary body from each of the 28 colonies. Issues were siphoned up through the parliament to a cabinet of appointed governors, and then to the ruling families, where a decision made by the parliament and/or cabinet could be approved for action. Each of the extended ruling families was responsible for a set of government affairs to manage: House Sabosen was responsible for social issues such as justice, health, and education; House Inrokini was responsible for industry and science; House Csapla was responsible for colonial affairs, agriculture and redistribution of resources; and House Nuruodo was responsible for military and foreign affairs. The Csapla's redistribution of resources amongst the Chiss colonies and Csilla was particularly important, given the collectivist-socialist economic system of the Chiss, and led to their relative position at the head of the families, with the others acting in an advisory role. House Nuruodo would be ranked as second, considering the importance of warfare on Chiss society.

Each family was equally represented in the Chiss government, although they went to great lengths to ensure that family identity was eliminated wherever possible. The leaders of the Chiss did not use names, but instead wore colorful robes to distinguish themselves. This helped ensure that decisions were reached in a fair and equitable method. Although the four extended ruling families were not known to face power struggles, lesser five clans often vied for greater authority and power, such as the Chaf clan, which was considered the fifth ruling family.

Armed Forces
While their history was marked by nearly continual warfare and conquest of other worlds, the Chiss were generally not violent. They preferred to extend themselves only from a defensive posture, although their exposure to threats in the Unknown Regions and Outer Rim, such as the Ssi-Ruuvi and the threat of the Vagaari (whom fought three wars with the Chiss), the Yuuzhan Vong invasion and the later Killik incursion. There were two military organizations: the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet and the Colonial Phalanxes, which were both led by the Nuruodo family. The Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet patrolled the Chiss borders and space, although segments were known to combat forces beyond the realm of the Chiss in times of dire need. This fleet was considered to be a tool of foreign affairs rather than a military asset. Each of the 28 colonies was protected by a phalanx, which was commanded by a Syndic, or House leader, and responsible for handling any threats that slipped past the fleet. In times of crisis, Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet segments drew upon the nearby phalanxes to strengthen themselves and tighten boarder patrols. The formation of the Chiss Army and Navy was tributary, with each Chiss colony world sending a complete Phalanx to Csilla for command by the Nuruodo family.

In 965 BBY, the Ascendancy passed the Non-Aggression Law, prohibiting pre-emptive warfare.

Foreign Affairs
The Chiss were suspicious of all aliens, believing themselves to be superior to all others. Because of this, the Chiss were as isolationist as possible.

At some point prior to 1,000 BBY, the Chiss may have had some form of contact with the New Sith Empire, resulting in the Sith establishing a Chiss colony on Thule.

During the later stages of the Yuuzhan Vong War, the Chiss joined the Galactic Alliance in the fight against the invaders, and apparently maintained close relations with the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances following the peace treaty.

Appearances

 * Outbound Flight
 * Survivor's Quest
 * Force Heretic I: Remnant
 * Force Heretic II: Refugee