Fortress of Legacy: An Interview with Patriarch Prard’ago’rono”
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Tirena’voss’aral: “Good evening, citizens of the Ascendancy. Tonight, on Voices of the Families, we have the honor of welcoming a distinguished guest from one of our most steadfast and historic Houses. Joining us is Patriarch Prard’aga’rono of House Prard. Known for their legacy of vigilance and unshakable resolve, House Prard has stood as a fortress throughout our people’s history—defending not only its own but the very essence of what it means to be Chiss. Patriarch Dagaro, thank you for joining us. It is a privilege to have you here.”
Prard‘aga‘rono: “It is an honor to be here tonight with you and all of our people watching tonight.”
Navossa: “For those in our audience less familiar with your House, could you share its legacy within the Ascendancy and what role it plays today?”
Dagaro: “The crest of House Prard is a silhouette of our old capital – fortress city in the mountains surrounded by high walls.
During the time when Houses fought one another our city held and the Patriarch at the time renamed the city. It translates to “City that cannot be besieged” in our House Dialect.
And the city stood until we disassembled it to help build the Ascendancy.
But Prard remains. Ever vigilant. Defending what it means to be Chiss.
We survived the collapse of the ancient Chiss Ascendancy and even the sixth restored Ascendancy.”
Now like a mighty fortress, we remain.
Navossa: “A remarkable legacy, indeed. Your words paint House Prard not just as a survivor of history, but as a living testament to the resilience and vigilance of the Chiss. When you speak of remaining like a ‘mighty fortress,’ I’m curious—how does that ethos shape your House’s decisions within the Council of Families today?”
Dagaro: “Like a city withstanding a siege , every action House Prard takes is only after careful consideration.
In the Council once we commit, we engage issue, in a spirit of cooperation.
But we adjust as needed should new information be made available, never losing sight of the objective.”
Navossa: “That balance between steadfast commitment and adaptability is striking. In practice, how does House Prard decide when it is time to hold firm against opposition, and when it is wiser to adapt to new information? Could you share an example where this principle shaped an important decision in the Council?”
Dagaro: “After the Ascendancy joined the Imperial Union, House Prard put forward a proposal to exile all Chiss who had citizenship in any anti-imperial organization. The other Houses were concerned this was overreach and after careful reconsideration, we agreed.”
Navossa: “An illuminating example. It helps to reveal both the strength of your convictions and your willingness to yield for the greater balance of the Ascendancy. May I ask—how does House Prard today define loyalty to the Ascendancy? And where is the line, in your view, between healthy dissent and disloyalty?”
Dagaro: “Our metric is the core concepts of what defines a loyal House is based on Virtue of Service and Merit of Power. If a Chiss House does not serve Chiss Society and it accumulates power through the work it does for the community without harming other loyal Houses or the Ascendancy as a whole. Dissent is different ideas and disloyalty is seeking to undermine the Chiss for the benefit of an individual or outside organization. If one’s actions may have a negative impact on the Ascendancy and you still choose to proceed that risks grounds for disloyalty.”
Navossa: “You’ve drawn distinction between dissent, which strengthens debate, and disloyalty, which weakens the whole. That raises an important question of scale—loyalty begins within one’s family, yet must serve the Ascendancy as a whole. From your perspective, how should the needs of individual Chiss families be balanced with the needs of the greater Ascendancy?”
Dagaro: “I do not think it is a case of either or. In the purest sense, what is good for the Ascendancy is good for the Individual Chiss families. Any family that seeks to elevate itself above the Ascendacy violates their Virtue of Service and has betrayed what it means to be Chiss.”
Navossa: “A firm position—that the health of the Ascendancy and the health of its families are bound together. Yet in practice, differences do arise. How should the Council resolve a case where a family believes its survival or prosperity requires a course that others see as contrary to the Ascendancy’s greater interest?”
Dagaro: “We have had families rise and decline throughout history. I cannot speak for the whole Council, only for how House Prard shall vote in such cases. Any House that believes it own survival and prosperity are dependent on an action that is contrary to the greater interest of the Ascendancy is taking a dangerous action. The Ascendancy is the Government of the Chiss People, and the Chiss Houses represent all of Chiss Society. The only time I can think of a House taking actions that is contrary to the Ascendancy was House Yar, and all of Chiss Society; including the Houses, and also the CEDF, took the necessary action to remove that infection.”
Navossa: “You’ve drawn a clear line—when a House acts against the Ascendancy, it acts against all Chiss, and history shows the consequences of that path. Yet beyond our borders, the galaxy is far less unified. Let me ask: how does your House view the role of the Ascendancy in wider galactic affairs—one of strict isolation, cautious engagement, or something still evolving?”
Dagaro: “House Prard is of the view that the Chiss People should not depend on outsiders to conduct our own affairs. This does not mean isolation, but engagement based on benefits to the Chiss people. Some of our House members are among the diaspora, serving as an important link to lesser space that only benefits our people. As the Syndicure’s policies from joining the Imperial Union to the Foreign Labor Decree are in line with this vision, House Prard gives our full endorsement.”
Navossa: “You’ve described a careful balance between self-reliance and engagement. Turning inward to the Council of Families’ role, how does House Prard approach the stewardship of Chiss culture in a galaxy where contact with other civilizations is steadily increasing? How do you ensure our traditions remain strong even as our people encounter new ideas and influences?”
Dagaro: “As a mighty fortress we stand against any influences that to undermine who we are as Chiss. So through education and presenting ourselves as an example, we take all necessary actions to make sure new ideas are only incorporated into Chiss Society after careful evaluation. The Foreign Labor Decree was such an action by the Ascendancy. The alien laborers who had not been vetted were poisoning our society. They helped to facilitate the abusive neglect of the New Republic and other actions that have put OUR civilization at risk. And the protection of Chiss Civilization is the highest priority of House Prard.”
Navossa: “It’s evident that House Prard takes seriously its role in guiding and protecting Chiss culture. Building on that, every House contributes uniquely to our shared heritage. What do you believe is House Prard’s distinct cultural contribution to the Ascendancy?”
Dagaro: “Encouraging a Chiss centered view on all aspects of life. I cannot speak for other Houses and I will not pretend to, but I can only say that is the objective of House Prard.”
Navossa: “House Prard, as you say, clearly prioritizes guiding Chiss culture and maintaining a Chiss-centered perspective. With such a role in shaping our shared heritage, what do you see as the greatest responsibility of an Aristocra today?”
Dagaro: “As an Aristocra I represent the House within the Council of Families, not myself, but all of House Prard. No Aristocra should see a House as their personal property but a duty of stewardship. In the same manner the Grand Syndic is the Steward for the entire Ascendancy, an Aristocra is steward of a House.”
Navossa: “In closing, what message would you like to share directly with the Chiss people watching this broadcast?”
Dagaro: “Centuries ago, the Houses came together and permanently ceded sovereign power to create the Ascendancy. In exchange, Houses cannot be destroyed, only removed from the Council of Families or Exiled. Houses are not noble bloodlines, at least not anymore. Instead they represent the nobility of the Chiss People, pillars of our civilization holding us all together.”
Navossa: “That concludes our conversation with the Patriarch of House Prard. From the steadfast vigilance of their legacy to their guiding role in preserving Chiss culture, it is clear that the principles of stewardship, service, and loyalty continue to shape not only their House, but the Ascendancy as a whole. We thank the Patriarch for sharing these insights and for reaffirming the enduring strength of our people.
From all of us here at Syndicure 1, I am Tirena’voss’aral. May the vigilance of the Houses continue to safeguard the future of the Chiss, and may your own actions honor the heritage that unites us all.”
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