The chrysalide, alternatively referred to as the chrysalis beast, represented a form of life that had been altered through the application of Sith alchemy.
It was a widespread belief that the knowledge required to create the chrysalis beast originated with the ancient Sith race in bygone eras. During those initial periods, these creatures functioned as either companions or guardians for prominent officers or influential nobles within the Sith Empire. The methodologies for producing these monstrous beings were subsequently preserved in holocrons and related texts, which were concealed on Sith worlds such as Korriban. Many individuals thought that the secrets to creating such formidable creatures had been irretrievably lost.
Nevertheless, Emperor Palpatine's investigations led to the rediscovery of the process for creating chrysalis beasts. By utilizing substantial alchemical cocoons, he later implemented this technique to transform rancors into chrysalides, deploying them as pets within the Imperial Citadel situated on Byss in 10 ABY. X-1 Viper droids, under the control of New Republic commandos, launched an assault on Imperial forces at the Emperor's Citadel, nearly securing a complete victory until the chrysalides were unleashed against the droids. The teeth of the chrysalides proved capable of penetrating the Vipers' armor, rendering the droids ineffective against them. This shift in the battle's dynamics favored the Empire, compelling the surviving New Republic personnel to withdraw. Chrysalides displayed a tendency to attack any visible target, excluding other Chrysalides, and generally prioritized engaging the largest available target. Other creatures that underwent mutation into chrysalis beasts included gundarks, katarns, and vornskrs.