Imperial Guard

"We are the Imperial Guard, the Emperor's chosen. We live and die as he commands."

- Imperial Guard Captain to the Scorekeeper's Herald.

The Imperial Guard, also known as the Dark Honor Guard, was a force of elite warriors who had a reputation as being the deadliest and most disciplined soldiers in the Sith Empire. At the end of their training, the soldiers of the Guard were bound to the will of the Emperor by a ritual, resulting in them becoming totally loyal fanatics who were willing to die for him. They were distinguished by wearing red colored armor, and were armed with electrostaffs and blaster pistols. They were assigned to guard the Emperor's citadel, protect the Sith Academy on Korriban or eliminate individuals the Emperor wanted dead.

Organization and philosophy
Members of the Imperial Guard were considered the ultimate non-Force-sensitive fighters in the Empire and served the Emperor alone. Even the members of the Dark Council had neither control nor authority or even insight into their activities. Many citizens of the Empire knew them as protectors of the Sith Academy on Korriban and the sanctum of the Citadel on Dromund Kaas. The mandate of the Guard meant that they were deployed wherever they were required by the Emperor.

History
Before the Jedi Civil War, Revan and Malak discovered Dromund Kaas, they attempted to infiltrate the Empire by attempting to bribe an Imperial Guardsman, Yarri, into getting them into the Emperor's Citadel. But they were unaware that the Guard was bound to the Emperor's will and would never betray him, causing them to fall to the dark side and leave to wage war on the Republic.

In 3,950 BBY, when Lord Scourge exposed a conspiracy on the Dark Council, the Emperor unleashed the Imperial Guard on Darth Nyriss and two others less likely to answer his summons. After the entire Dark Council was killed, the Imperial Guard enforced martial law on Dromund Kaas until order was restored.

During the Great Galactic War, the Guard saw action in engagements like the second Battle of Bothawui. Guardsmen were also present when Teneb Kel arrived at the summons of the Dark Council and later escorted the Sith Lord Calypho away after he was defeated.

In the Cold War, they were deployed on during the assault on the Republic prison world of Belsavis. In addition, a contingent was present during the invasion of Corellia where they assisted the First Son and the Children of the Sith Emperor.

Equipment and training
Guardsmen were clad in blood-red robes and armor where they served for life. They were chosen for duty and initiated through a series of deadly tests and traditions. Those that proved to be too old for active duty were instead relegated to the post of instructors for the next generation. This was until their skills began to deteriorate whereupon they were eventually slain by a new recruit during their training. The training of a member of the Imperial Guard meant that they were fanatical in their loyalty and unmatched in martial skill. Even a lone member was a formidable opponent that was able to stand against either Jedi or even a Sith should such an occasion arise.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic, Blood of the Empire Act 1: Shades of the Sith
 * Timeline 5: The Battle of Bothawui
 * Timeline 6: Onslaught of the Sith Empire
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic 8: The Lost Suns, Part 2
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic