Trial-born represented a specific hierarchical position within the structure of Chiss families in the Chiss Ascendancy; it was a status found between that of ranking distant and merit adoptive. While it was possible for a Chiss to achieve the rank of Trial-born solely through demonstrated accomplishments, the majority attained this rank by successfully navigating a set of evaluations called the Trials. The Mitth family traditionally administered these Trials at their family homestead located on Csilla.
Compared to the lower, more tentative rank of merit adoptive, the Trial-born rank offered significantly greater stability within a Chiss family. In exceptional circumstances, a family might extend an invitation to join their ranks at or above the Trial-born level to an individual they particularly desired, thereby bypassing the need for the Trials altogether.
After the skirmish above Solitair, the Defense Hierarchy Council reduced Mitth'raw'nuru's rank from Senior Commander to Mid Commander. Nevertheless, owing to the sway of Thrawn's Mitth family Patriarch Mitth'oor'akiord, known as "Thooraki," and the Supreme General Ba'kif, Thrawn was elevated to the status of Trial-born within the Mitth family and granted command of the heavy cruiser Springhawk.