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SWTOR Community Cantina Audio: Q&A Live With Musco, Hickman, And Schubert: [Editor's Update: One of our readers/listeners, Joe, was kind enough to transcribe the audio and I'v...
The Chiss are one of the stranger additions to the game to me the way they are introduced.
First off, as we know, the Chiss Ascendancy isn’t some little Empire on the fringe of space. They are a real Empire, much bigger than the Empire in this game was at the time of their discovery by the Sith. It’s unclear whether or not they were aware of the Republic before the Sith found them, but I found their decision to bow to the Sith surprising.
As any who have read up on the Chiss know, their Empire is located on almost the opposite side of the galaxy from the Empire/Sith. In fact, if the Sith had tried to carry through with their promise to invade, they would have had to move their entire fleet all the way through Republic space in order to do so. Doing so undetected would be near impossible is the point. That would have alerted the Republic to the presence of a large threat, they could have prepared for the war earlier than the Sith were ready to launch it.
Additionally, the Chiss could have outreached to the Republic or the Jedi more specifically and told them about the reappearance of the Sith. The Jedi would have been a ready made ally to fight the Empire while still maintaining their autonomy, with little to no risk of their land actually being occupied with the Republic as a buffer.
Also, it’s not like the Chiss were expansionist. After this war, the next mention of Chiss is not until 2000 years later when they are rediscovered. Why would they ally with an aggressive power, sacrifice their resources and man power for a war that would ultimately not create any gains for themselves against the largest galactic government in the galaxy.
For a people that pride themselves at being practical, their decision to join the Empire seems the polar opposite.
Now, there are only two reasons I can think of that would lead the Chiss to ally with them. The first is a simple one, they were simply unaware of the Empire’s location relative to their own during first contact. In other words, they bought the Empire’s bluff that they could conquer the Ascendency with little effort. The second is that they were unaware of the existence of the Republic and so did not know there was an ally there that would be more beneficial to them.
Then there is a third reason, which is both the weakest and the strongest case for them being Empire aligned. The game is trying to remain iconic to the previous lore so people feel familiar with the game. In almost all EU sources where the Chiss appear, they are aligned with the “bad guys”. The most iconic by far actually being Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Chiss nemesis of one of the most widely read Star Wars trilogies in the EU and debateably one of the best book series in the EU.
For whatever reason the Chiss joined the Empire, which will hopefully be explained in greater detail by the Chiss themselves (probably on Hoth), I’m glad to see them in the game. They are a unique species with an interesting culture, and I’m glad to see them in the role of agent in this game.
You failed to think of one of the simplest reasons why the Chiss would join the empire: Perhaps they simply believed that the Sith would conquer the Republic, and accordingly made a deal with them while the Republic acted as a barrier between them.
That’s kind of short sighted. Why would they ally against a power that was not a threat to them and is there only viable ally in future conflicts against the Sith, who would obviously not be satisfied with stopping with only the Republic if they were successful.
Best case scenario, the Sith are happy with them remaining their vassal for the rest of their existence. Worst case, the Sith decide to “Alter the deal” and tell them to pray they don’t alter it any further.
That’s not a bad reason though, just kind of weak in my opinion.
Another possible reason for the alliance could simply be the force was used to decieve the leaders into submission. It would not be the first time the dark side was used to force a speicies to follow or else. Or would it, timeline speaking, wait nope there was the sith race. Any hoo i digress, I too am very happy to see the Chiss as a playable race and actually see it as potientally the best reason to play an agent as im more the force wielder type.
What about this: The Chiss being cool and level headed did not know about either the Empire or Republic why would they, being an arrogant race they would have little to no knowledge of their surrounds. But when the Empire arrived touting “we will destroy you” it seems only logical to side with them thinking if they are the bad guys we side with them to strengthen our knowledge of our surroundings and side with an ally stronger or as strong as themselves. I mean if they are bad then that would mean the good guys would be more reasonable i mean come on they always are its what seperates bad from good and if they were stronger than our assialants they we could bater a deal with them. Thinking first of self preservation any race would bater a deal or at least try with a group that said bow to me of your own free will or i will make you.
You also have to remember that all of the characters and people existent in this chronological point in Star Wars’ history had no clue what the true outcome would eventually be, unlike us outsiders who have seen many events unfold in all of the major time periods. Maybe it does seem logical to join the side offering a strong voice of benevolent (or malevolent) dictatorship with the goal of overthrowing a system wherein the majority rules… as long as the majority is not free-thinking. The Republic put on a good face, but I think they were stagnant even way back then and if someone rose up offering a simple and effective alternative, I would get behind it all the way – as I think the Chiss would… but I digress.
Basically the Chiss seem to be a very logic-driven people and it makes sense that they would side with the faction where decisions were made swiftly and said decisions didn’t have to worm their way through however many committees over and over again before the original idea was a moot point… for which another committee would have to be held.
I would suggest that from a strategic standpoint, the Chiss would have as much to gain as the Sith in this war as the Sith do from them. When you consider that by joining the Sith, they immediately have the enemy surrounded and could potentially gain all the planets and systems on the back side of the deal for themselves once the Jedi ran off the fight the Sith on the front side of the battle. This is exactly how the Sith regained Korriban. It’s a rather shrewd move when you consider the potential of a double cross. It becomes simply a business decision. If they are backed into a corner of the galaxy so to speak, the only way to expand is into Republic territory. This would obviously not lend itself to becoming a Republic ally. They would have another war as soon as the first is over for them to expand. This way, play your cards right, not only do you expand, but remain as powerful or become more powerful than your “ally” in the process. This would ensure the Sith didn’t mess with them.
Then compare that to joining the Jedi. They would be on the backside of the battle, and nearest the Republic’s stronghold and protected ground. Their ability to expand would automatically be diminished as they are essentially pigeonholed. They would have to leave their corner to engage in battle and they could leave themselves weak if the unknown Jedi were to double cross and double back to take the Chiss planets while the war was on.
Join the Sith and you are an equal ally who can fight the Jedi on the warfront and potentially expand. Joint he Jedi and you become a glorified reinforcement with nowhere to expand to. With the Sith, you have less potential to become a slave and more to become an equal. With the Jedi you are most likely going to be stuck in your corner of the galaxy forever, having gained no respect.
I think the move is exactly the one I would make if I were in their position. It’s shrewd, it buys them time, it allows them to expand and to have an out. Even if the Sith lose, they can take a handful of Republic planets in the process and fortify their front line planets. I would even go so far as reporting the numbers of my Army and Navy to the Sith by half, leaving them in my Chiss system for reinforcements in order to double cross the weakened victor of the war. Let’s not forget, they know as little about us as we do of them.
If the rest of them are anything like Thrawn perhaps they felt threatened by the republic. Joining with the sith in an attempt to destabilize the region may have been able to slow down the republic’s expansion.