Ruling Families
The Nine Ruling Families, previously known as the First Ruling Family during the era when the Stybla family governed the Chiss Ascendancy, and also as the Three Ruling Families, the Ten Ruling Families, and at one point even encompassing as many as twelve Ruling Families, constituted an elite group of Chiss families that held dominion over the Chiss Ascendancy within the Unknown Regions. The Chiss Syndicure, the highest political authority of the Ascendancy, included representatives from each of the Nine Ruling Families. A family symbol was displayed on the uniforms worn by Ascendancy military officers and cadets from each Ruling Family. Certain Great Families, positioned lower in the political structure, aspired to ascend into the higher echelons of the ruling class. Tribunals of the Syndicure's Aristocra usually featured representatives from both the Ruling Families and the Great Families. The Xodlak family, once counted among the Ten Ruling Families, experienced a demotion to the ranks of the forty Great Families, thereby reducing the number of Ruling Families to nine. It is important to note that the number of Ruling Families was not permanently set at nine. Historical records maintained by the Chiss reveal instances of as many as 12 Ruling Families existing simultaneously, and legends even speak of a time when only a single Ruling Family held power. The Ruling Families possessed the privilege of operating their own private fleets, independent of the Chiss Defense Force, to safeguard family interests on specific planets or within their family stronghold systems. They were even authorized to declare a family emergency, enabling them to mobilize family officers and warriors serving within the Defense Force to assist their private fleet.
The Ruling Families
During the time of the attack on Csilla near the conclusion of the Clone Wars, the Nine Ruling Families consisted of the following:
- Ufsa family [1]
- Irizi family [1]
- Dasklo family [1]
- Clarr family [1]
- Chaf family [1]
- Plikh family [1]
- Boadil family [1]
- Mitth family [1]
- Obbic family [1] Each family considered itself superior, resulting in intense rivalry. The Ufsa and Irizi families were allies, particularly in their opposition to the Mitth family, which often sided with the Obbic. The Chaf family had a minor rivalry with the Mitth but did not ally with the Irizi. The Plikh and Boadil families shifted their alliances based on perceived necessity. The Dasklo and Clarr families were bitter enemies, nearly triggering civil war when the Clarr warship Orisson appeared in a system controlled by the Dasklo. While some families, like the Boadil, prioritized trade and economic influence, others, such as the Irizi and Mitth, focused on providing exceptional officers to the Ascendancy military.
Former Ruling Families
During the era of the Nikardun campaigns and the plot to destroy the Chiss Ascendancy, the following families were previously Ruling Families:
- Coduyo family [3]
- Stybla family [3]
- Xodlak family [3]
Organization
Chiss Family Ranks
Within the Nine Ruling Families, there existed five distinct ranks: the Blood, the Cousin, the Ranking distant, the Trial-born, and the Merit adoptive.
Political Hierarchy
All Nine Ruling Families adhered to the same hierarchical structure, comprising: the Patriarch, who served as the head of the family; the Speaker, holding the position of chief syndic; the syndic, being a member of the Syndicure; the patriel, responsible for managing family affairs at the planetary level; the councilor, who oversaw family affairs at the local level; and the aristocra, representing a mid-level member within one of the Nine Ruling Families.