EMPEROR'S ROYAL GUARD
Species: Human
Born: Various
Birthplace: Various
Homeworld: Coruscant, Byss
Affiliation: Galactic Republic, then Galactic Empire
Weapon: Force pike
Vehicle: Lambda-class shuttle
Debut: Return of the Jedi
Eerie red-robed sentinels loyal to Emperor Palpatine, the royal guards were a group of elite guardsmen who would lay down their lives for their master.
The origins and training of the red-robed guards is unknown, but they were originally assigned as unofficial bodyguards for Palpatine during his tenure as Supreme Chancellor, though he maintained they were created as an efficient streamlining of cumbersome bureaucracy. Rather than using the unwieldly ceremonial rifles of the Senate guards, Palpatine's guards were given deadly force pikes to settle troubles. The red guards stayed with Palpatine through his declaration of a new order, and remained throughout his Empire. They travelled with him at all times, protecting him with a fierce loyalty.
Even after his death, the guards remained loyal - except for a group who spread across the galaxy following the Imperial warlords. They mourned him - and added a black hem to their robes - and retreated to Byss, to await his reawakening in a clone body. Again they guarded him with their lives, but could not stop the New Republic from destroying him for the last time. As no one knew how many guards Palpatine kept, no one could be sure of their fate. |
