Ranking distant

Ranking distant was a family rank of the Chiss Ascendancy. In the Chiss hierarchy, it was situated above Trial-born^[1] but below the rank of cousin. Although Chiss could be granted the rank of ranking distant based on merits alone, most were born into the position.^[2] The bloodline and descendants of individuals who held the rank were tied with the Ruling Family they were a member of.^[1]

History

In 27 BBY,^[3] Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano, core name "Formbi," was a ranking distant of direct but peripheral family lineage among the Fifth Ruling Family. In the same year, Force Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo, core name "Thrawn," held a welcoming ceremony for Admiral Ar'alani in a welcoming chamber at the Crustai asteroid base. The Corellian smuggler Jorj Car'das found the welcoming chamber configuration less elaborate than those featured for the arrival of Aristocra Formbi. He believed that a senior military officer of the Chiss Defense Fleet like Ar'alani didn't rank as highly as a ranking distant of a Ruling Family.^[1]

In 22 ABY,^[4] Aide Chaf'ees'aklaio, core name "Feesa," of the Fifth Ruling Family explained to Dean Jinzler how Chiss families were set up. Feesa described how the family rank of ranking distant could be granted based on merits alone, or by blood.^[2]

Behind the scenes

The rank of ranking distant was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 2004 novel Survivor's Quest.^[2] The 2006 novel Outbound Flight established Aristocra Chaf'orm'bintrano as a ranking distant,^[1] but it is not clear if he had moved in family ranks later. This article assumes he only held the rank of ranking distant in Outbound Flight.

Appearances

• Outbound Flight (and unabridged audiobook) (First appearance, in book)
• Survivor's Quest (and unabridged audiobook) (First mentioned, in book)

Notes and references