Wilhuff Tarkin/Legends


 * "Evacuate? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances!"
 * &mdash; Wilhuff Tarkin during the Battle of Yavin

Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin (64 BBY – 0 BBY) was a high-ranking Imperial official and the first Grand Moff. He was most well-known for his command of the Death Star. He was a native of the planet Eriadu, where his family had history of political involvement.

Biography
Tarkin began his career in the Eriadu military; by 33 BBY, he had become lieutenant-governor of the Seswenna Sector. That year, his mansion was for a short time the residence of Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, who was on Eriadu representing the Republic in a trade summit.

By that time he had become acquainted with Senator Palpatine; as early as 29 BBY, Tarkin began to work closely with Palpatine, sharing his views on the superiority of humans and the need for strictly enforced order. As the Galactic Republic transitioned into the Galactic Empire, Tarkin rose in prominence through his connections to Palpatine. During this period Tarkin married into the wealthy Motti family on Phelarion, and began to reap the benefits of their lucrative megonite moss mining business.

A few years after the formation of the Empire, a group of citizens stood on a landing platform directly underneath his transport, protesting the Imperial taxation on Ghorman. Tarkin ordered his ship to land regardless, crushing hundreds to death. The event marked the first of many acts of cold blooded mass murder at the hands of Tarkin.



This incident was labeled the Ghorman Massacre by Rebels. Palpatine signaled his approval of such tactics by granting Tarkin the governorship of the Seswenna Sector. He would also eventually become a close advisor to the Emperor. This marked the early formation of his "Tarkin Doctrine" of suppressing dissent through state terrorism. Tarkin himself often told Palpatine that he should "rule through the fear of force rather than the force itself." He also had a unique relationship with Darth Vader, who trusted Tarkin's judgment and preformed special favors for him like sparing Admiral Motti’s life after Motti had openly defied Vader.

It is alleged that while commanding the Death Star, Tarkin considered using the superlaser to destroy Coruscant while the Emperor was there to become ruler of the galaxy. Motti actually insisted that they strike before they were removed. Emperor Palpatine himself suspected him of having more ambition than he let on, so he sent Vader to oversee the Death Star's construction and even had Mara Jade train to infiltrate Tarkin's estate.

Alongside Admiral Motti and High General Tagge, Tarkin formed a triumvirate that commanded the first Death Star. He issued the order to destroy Princess Leia's home planet of Alderaan in a brutal and unabashed show of force typical of the Tarkin Doctrine. He was killed when the Rebels destroyed the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin.

Behind the Scenes

 * Tarkin was played by Peter Cushing in A New Hope and Wayne Pygram in Revenge of the Sith.

Appearances

 * Darth Maul: Saboteur
 * Cloak of Deception
 * Rogue Planet
 * Boba Fett: Pursuit
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Empire: Betrayal (TPB)
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
 * Darksaber (flashbacks)