Rufaan Tigellinus



Grand Admiral Rufaan Tigellinus was a Grand Admiral of the Imperial Starfleet. He was one of the original 12 Grand Admirals, raised to that newly-created rank by the Emperor after the Battle of Yavin.

Tigellinus is another Grand Admiral noted not for his military prowess, but rather his political. He made his mark in successful, fierce partisan warfare in the Imperial Court, apparently besting all comers, even Grand Admiral Thrawn, who after a prolonged fight with Tigellinus would be exiled to Wild Space by the Emperor. Whatever his career before Yavin, after his promotion to Grand Admiral, Tigellinus regularly was a topic of interest amongst the elites of Coruscant. He obtained the support of Moff Jamson Caglio in backing Tigellinus's protégé, Gerald Weizel, for Governor of Chandrila; a significant victory, since Caglio had been a longtime supporter of one of Tigellinus's opponents (Grand Moff Traeda). Tigellinus also courts, with unknown success, Traeda supporter Moff Disra (later famous for his role in the Hand of Thrawn affair) even though Disra is out of Palpatine's favor at the time. Shortly thereafter, Tigellinus was one of the Imperial Courtiers officiating at the New Year Fete Week celebration in the Emperor's absence, alongside Traeda and others. Around this period, Thrawn returned from the Outer Rim, and began partaking in politics; he quickly made an enemy out of Tigellinus, who while not a COMPNOR New Order fanatic like some of his fellow Grand Admirals, nevertheless fully believed in the superiority of humans (and especially what New Order theoreticians called 'High Human Culture'). After this, Tigellinus was inducted into the Order of the Canted Circle, unusual since his induction pre-empted more deserving candidates, and the Order (an ancient and astronomically exclusive social club of Coruscant) was inducting far more members than was usual. But at around the same period, Thrawn was promoted to Admiral, negating somewhat Tigellinus' success. At about the time prior to Empire Strikes Back, that Darth Vader left with Admiral Ozzel to hunt down the main Rebel base, Thrawn managed to get into the Order as well, an even more unusual event. Later, between Episode 5 and Episode 6, Thrawn was exiled to Wild Space (which nearly all observers attributed to a final victory by Tigellinus). Tigellinus consolidated power, and became Grand Moff of the Imperial Oversector (Sector 0), the most important sector, with the most wealthy worlds, fleets, and prestige, making Tigellinus the only Grand Admiral to also have legitmately held the title of Grand Moff as well. This occurred only after Tigellinus beat the alien Grand Moff Hissa as well as Thrawn (Moff Disra's aid would be required in this second contest) out for control of the Oversector.

Following the Battle of Endor, a number of Grand Moffs banded together in an effort to balance the political clout of Ysanne Isard on Coruscant, placing Grand Moff Hissa as the head of this Central Committee. Tigellinus's political savvy made him a natural choice for this group, but his own precarious position (Isard had usurped a considerable amount of his territory and funds) allowed Hissa to make a demeaning offer in exchange for his support. Tigellinus refused, based on advice from his trusted friend, Moff Disra. Enraged, the Committee moved against Tigellinus, killing him. They handed over the spoils of this victory to their newest member... Grand Moff Disra.

Though never published and thus not canonical, Star Wars Insider author Daniel Wallace indicates that Tigellinus' personal Star Destroyer was named Avatar. See here.