Sith Empire Ranks and Organization

[Dawn of the Republic]

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Ranks: The Sith Empire​

The Emperor	Imperial Legion	The Sith Order	Imperial Inquisition	Moff Council
Body of the Emperor	Supreme Commander	Dark Lord of the Sith	Grand Inquisitor	Grand Moff
Emperor's Wrath	Grand Admiral	Sith Lord	Inquisition Ranks	Moff
Dark Honor Guard	Admiral/General	Sith Marauder	Initiate
x	Commander	Sith Acolyte
x	Private

Used with permission of @Prudence at http://www.thestarwarsrp.com/forum/index.php?members/prudence.1969/​

Welcome to the Sith Empire! Now that you've decided to join (or even if you're still thinking of joining), it's important to know what the organization and ranks are in the faction. The Sith Empire is organized into three sub-groups: the Imperial Legion, the Sith Order, and the Imperial Inquisition. The Legion is the main army of the Empire, made up of the best trained warriors in the galaxy, many of whom were formerly part of the Sacred Band of Ziost. Highly skilled and professional, these Stormtroopers can stand up to their Sith counterparts, and can prove dangerous even to the mighty Jedi Knights. Meanwhile, the Sith Order represents the re-organized Lords of the Sith. The Imperial Inquisition is a reformation of the Priesthood of Tund, which is now fully part of the Empire.

At the head of the faction is the Emperor, who rules with the support of the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Warlord of the Imperial Legion. This thread details all of the ranks in the Sith Empire, organized by sub-faction. Training is not required in the Sith faction, so those who join the Sith Order are welcome to start with the "Sith" rank. If you want, you can start as an Acolyte. If you choose to do this and go through training, however, it will be your responsibility to find someone to train your character, as training is not an official process within the faction.
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The Emperor
(Faction Leader)

The Emperor is the sovereign leader of the Sith Empire and rules from the Imperial capital of Korriban. He sees the entire galaxy as subject to his domain and rules with the intention of spreading Sith influence to its farthest corners. The position of "Emperor" evolved out of the former role of the Supreme Leader from the Sith Brotherhood. As a result, non-Sith can become Emperor, even though the present Emperor is a Sith (e.g., the first Emperor, Kyuss Thaun, was not a Sith). The Emperor rules the Empire with an iron fist and rigorously enforces the Empire's chain of command.

As Sith doctrine demands rule of the strong, the Sith Emperor is the strongest being in the Empire—whether he is Sith himself or non-Sith. The three sub-factions of the Empire all answer to the Emperor and he alone holds absolute power, as well as the final decision, regarding their actions. The Emperor is also in charge of maintaining order within the Empire, discouraging rivalries and infighting by force if necessary.

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Body of the Emperor​

The so-called "Body of the Emperor" refers to the direct servants of the Emperor. These include the Emperor's Hand and the Emperor's Eyes. These Imperials answer only to the Emperor himself and serve him in various roles throughout the galaxy. The details of these roles are below:

Emperor's Hand: In the past, the Emperor's Hand(s) was the role of the Emperor's personal apprentice/servant. Now, they serve as his assassins. Whenever the Emperor requires a being eliminated (whether they are Jedi, Mandalorian, or a fellow Imperial), the Emperor tasks this job to his Hand(s). The Hands' identities are usually kept a secret—as a result, they often hold other ranks within the Empire (Sith Master, Sith Lord, Commander, etc.). However, whispers of the Hands' actions circulate the Empire, making those select beings feared by all Imperials.

Emperor's Eyes: A position conceptualized by the first Emperor and made reality by the second Emperor, the Emperor's Eyes are the Emperor's personal spy network within the Empire. They keep tabs on the actions of other ambitious Sith in addition to being sent by the Emperor to spy on his enemies. Because of this, only the most loyal Imperials are drafted into service. Like the Hand, the Eyes have their identities hidden and maintain other ranks in the Empire.​

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Emperor's Wrath​

The Emperor's Wrath is the Emperor's personal apprentice. He or she plays the role of both the Eyes and the Hand, acting as the Emperor's ever-present eyes on the Empire, as well as his personal enforcer. Unlike the Hand or the Eyes, the Wrath's position as the Emperor's apprentice is known to the entire Empire. He or she holds authority equal to a Sith Lord and sits on the Dark Council. That being said, the Wrath is the only Sith Lord that does not answer to the Dark Lord of the Sith. Instead, he or she answers directly to the Emperor.

The Emperor's Wrath is personally chosen by the Emperor from among the ranks of the Sith Empire. However, any Sith Lord (including the Dark Lord), may challenge the Wrath for his or her position as the Emperor's new, more worthy apprentice. Likewise, only the Emperor's Wrath may challenge the Emperor for his seat on the throne.

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Dark Honor Guard​

The Dark Honor Guard are the most elite non-Force-sensitives in the Empire. Chosen from among the most loyal and talented soldiers in the Legion, they are hand-picked by the Emperor himself to serve as the personal bodyguards and the elite commando units commanded by the Emperor, the Dark Lord of the Sith, and the Supreme Commander.

The Dark Honor Guard is specifically trained to handle and kill Force-sensitives, including Jedi Knights and rival Sith Lords. They are also trained to deal with particularly skillful Mandalorian warriors—a recent evolution, born out of the need to combat the growing Mandalorian Dominion. The Honor Guard protects important military installations and leaders. Though they protect other members of the Empire, their ultimate loyalty, first and foremost, is to the Emperor.

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[Dawn of the Republic]

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Imperial Legion​

Composed of the Imperial Military and the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Legion collectively represents the Empire's non-Force-sensitive soldiers. Formed from the Sacred Band of Ziost, which served the Sith Brotherhood and the previous Sith Empire, the Legion evolved from a collection of slaves and allies into a legitimate fighting force as the Empire evolved into a more traditional government. While the Legion itself is impressive, one fighting force within it stands out above the rest.

Within the masses of the Imperial Legion there is an elite fighting force that puts even the stormtroopers to shame, and these are the members of 121st Division. Made up of the former brothers and sisters of the Sacred Band, as well as newcomers who have proven themselves to be fierce and lethal, the 121st are the rising stars among the Legion. The base title for these troopers are "shock troopers," but in truth titles can range for members of the 121st. Any member of the 121st should be able to stand toe to toe with a Jedi Knight or Mandalorian warrior and come out victorious.

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Supreme Commander
(Assistant Faction Leader)​

The Supreme Commander is the commander-and-chief of the Imperial Legion, equal in power and authority to the Dark Lord of the Sith, and answerable only to the Emperor himself. The position was formed from the old rank of Warlord, which served the early Empire and the Sith Brotherhood before that. The Supreme Commander is in charge of the Empire's war-effort and works with the Grand Admirals, the Generals, and the Admirals to coordinate Imperial strategy. He or she is selected by the Emperor himself.

Despite being a military rank, the Supreme Commander can be Force-sensitive and even a former Sith, particularly if said Force-user has a capable military mind. However, in order for a Sith to become the Supreme Leader, they must swear off the ranks and titles of the Sith Order, as they may hold no other rank but "Supreme Leader." It is also rare, however possible, for the Supreme Commander to become the Emperor—this happens in the event of no other suitable leader, or when the Supreme Commander is seen as stronger than the Dark Lord.

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Grand Admiral​

Next to the Supreme Commander, the Grand Admirals are in charge of the entire Imperial Legion and are comparable to the Sith Lords of the Dark Council. Their version is known as the Circle of Five and, as the name implies, consists of five distinguished military minds. Like the Dark Honor Guard, and unlike other positions within the Legion, the Grand Admirals are chosen by the Emperor himself. They are chosen, not just for their prowess as military leaders, but for their theoretical and strategic brilliance.

Grand Admirals are required to swear off other positions of political or military importance (i.e., Moff, Grand Moff), but, in return, are given free reign over the forces that are assigned to them (within reason). Each is allowed a capital ship to serve as their flagship. Many choose to command their own armadas within the Imperial Fleet. They also wear white military uniforms with light blue-tipped security code cylinders.

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Admiral/General​

Admirals and Generals are the commanding officers of the Legion's space and ground forces respectively. It is a position granted to those within the Legion who have proven themselves time and again at being successful in both combat scenarios and in matters of military strategy. It is not uncommon for them to also hold the title of Moff or Grand Moff, due to their intimate knowledge of system defense grids.

Generals tend to command large divisions (defined as 20,000 to 40,000 Imperial troops), while Admirals are given charge over small armadas and often command them from their own capital ship (see "flagship).

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Commander​

Commander is a Legion rank that is found in both the Navy and the Military. Commanders in the Military are considered elite soldiers—the best of the best—and command a company of troops (100 to 300 soldiers). Commanders in the Navy are generally ace pilots who command starfighter squadrons, though particularly skilled leaders can be given command of corvettes or carrier vessels. It is uncommon for a Commander to hold a political rank (i.e., a Moff, Grand Moff), though it isn't unheard of if said Commander is particularly gifted.

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Private
(Optional: You may skip this rank and start as a Commander.)​

Private is a Legion rank that is found in both the Navy and the Military. Privates are the officers fresh out of the Imperial Academy who have yet to gain any true experience in the Legion. They serve under Commanders, Generals, and Admirals and preform missions to increase their experience. This allows them to move quickly through the ranks. They were grey military uniforms and do not carry any form of security code cylinders yet.

 

[Dawn of the Republic]

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Sith Order​

Thousands of years ago, the Sith took control of the galaxy and ruled from Coruscant as the greatest tyrants history has ever known. They were beaten back by their mortal enemies, the Jedi Knights, but that has never stopped the Sith from trying to regain what was once there and take over the Republic once more. For millennia, the Sith Empire waged countless wars against the Republic and the Jedi, but each time they were beaten back. Finally, one hundred years ago, the Sith Empire fell, a testament to the arrogance and lust for power of the Sith Lords who allowed themselves to be destroyed by the Jedi Knights.

Time has done little to change that. During the time of the Brotherhood they stood begrudgingly as equals to their former slaves in the Sacred Band of Ziost; they continued to see themselves as power incarnate, fueling their dark abilities through their passions. For many years, the only beings who recognized the true terror that the Sith represented was the Border Alliance. However, after their reorganization into the Grand Army of the Republic, and the subsequent battles fought, fear of the Sith rolls once more through the galaxy like a foreboding bell.

The Sith see themselves as the true representation of the Force. Their ranks reflect this mentality. Whereas the Jedi are organized on a path that seeks justice, the Sith embody the struggle for power and strength at the heart of the dark side. When the Sith Brotherhood was dissolved and the cold control of the Sith Empire was once again restored, the Sith returned to the old moniker of the Sith Order. While Order, chain of command, and uniformity are the blood that run through the veins of the Empire, this new philosophy has been adopted easier in some areas than others. While the SBZ became the rigid and strict Imperial Legion, the Sith still remain fueled by ego, pride, and ambition. Respect is demanded more now, however, as those who find themselves standing against an Immortal, Darth, or the Dark Lord may find themselves smitten for general purpose.

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Dark Lord of the Sith
(Assistant Faction Leader)​

The Dark Lord of the Sith is the supreme leader of the Sith Order and the highest authority in the Sith religion. He or she is also the leader of the Dark Council. Answerable only to the Emperor, the Dark Lord oversees the day-to-day business of the Sith Order and rules from the sacred world of the Sith, Moraband. He or she is also considered the most powerful Sith, unless the Emperor is also a Sith, in which case the Dark Lord is second in power.

The Dark Lord of the Sith holds the unique honor of being able to commune with the ancient Sith spirits that inhabit the tombs in Moraband's Valley of the Dark Lords. This allows them to call upon the wisdom of their ancestors, as well as to learn the secrets of the ancient Sith. This position of power is often coveted by other Sith, and it is not uncommon for a lower Sith Lord to challenge the Dark Lord of the Sith for his or her position.

Like the Emperor, the Dark Lord often has an apprentice, who is also allowed to challenge the Dark Lord for their title should the need ever arise.

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Sith Lord​

The Sith Lords are the equivalent of the Jedi Generals: masters of the dark side of the Force and brutal warriors that command Sith forces. At one time, Sith Lords were part of the warrior caste; however, now the title applies to both those skilled in lightsaber combat and those who devote themselves to mastery of the Force. Beneath the Dark Lord of the Sith, the Sith Lords are powerful religious authorities within the Empire and also command a great deal of respect within the Imperial Legion.

At any given time, there are five Sith Lords (not counting the Emperor's Wrath and the Dark Lord). All five hold seats on the Dark Council, a shadowy imitation and mockery of the Jedi Council, which acts as the ruling body over the Sith Order. Vacancies on the Dark Council are filled by only the most powerful Sith, though lower-ranking Sith may challenge a Lord for his or her title and seat. The Dark Council convenes in its chambers in the Imperial Capital on Korriban.

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Sith Marauder​

The Sith Marauders are the equivalent of the Jedi Knights; the most numerous of the Sith ranks. Formerly, this rank was split among the Sith Immortals and the lower Sith, but changes within the Empire have merged the ranks as the Sith Order transitioned from fighting the Republic and the Jedi Order, to fighting the more battle-hardened Mandalorians and the Army of Light. Now, while Inquisitor Sith are trained in the Imperial Inquisition, Marauders are trained to be balanced between their skills with a lightsaber and their power with the Force.

Marauders are often found leading platoons in the Imperial Legion or striking off on missions of their own. Others choose to instruct other Sith and are put in charge of maintaining the various academies of the Sith. Ambitious Marauders, however, train to one day challenge a Sith Lord for his or her seat on the Dark Council.

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Sith Acolyte
(Optional: You may skip this rank and start as a Marauder.)​

Sith Acolytes, also known as Sith apprentices, are the equivalents to the Jedi Padawans. They are new to the ways of the dark side and are taught at the Empire's various academies. The most able among them will be taken on by a Sith Marauder as an apprentice. From there, they will learn to become true Sith. Some Sith Lords even chose to train acolytes, allowing them to mold a young Sith from the moment their training begins.

In addition to their training, Acolytes are encouraged to participate in missions for the Empire, allowing them to gain experience they will need as they move through the ranks and become true masters of the dark side.

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[Malon]

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Imperial Inquisition​

The Imperial Inquisition was born out of the Priesthood of Tund. Originally branded religious fanatics separate from the main Sith Order, the priesthood remained active and engaged in Sith affairs. Led by the enigmatic Darth Cain, their founder, the priesthood evolved into the Imperial Priesthood when the Sith Brotherhood transitioned into the second Sith Empire. Under the Empire, the priesthood handled highly religious matters, such as the burial of important Sith or the coronation of new Emperors. Their evolution continued with the advent of Emperor Malon's rise to the throne. Under Malon's rule, and under the supervision and direction of Darth Cain, the Imperial Priesthood was welcomed into the Empire fully and reorganized into the Imperial Inquisition.

Members of the Inquisition have two very important tasks: enforcement of the Sith ways and the elimination of dangerous Jedi. The Inquisition was founded with maverick Sith, such as the late Darth Ruwn, in mind, and it was intended to bring these Sith back into line with the traditional Sith ways or eliminate them before they could become a threat. This duty also extends to non-force sensitive internal threats. Sith (or members of the Legion) who were at risk of falling under the sway of the light side were also subject to the Inquisition—who either convince them to remain in the darkness or eliminate them before they can fall into the hands of the enemy, thus exposing Imperial secrets to those who would threaten the Empire.

The Inquisition was also dispatched to handle Jedi activity within the Empire. Should Jedi begin to act in Sith space, it was the Inquisition that would handle these threats, either by disrupting their operations, ensuring their missions fail, or outright eliminating them entirely. Some Inquisitors were trained expressly as assassins or juggernauts meant to deal with high-profile Jedi targets. Finally, Inquisitors would also be dispatched to deal with suspected Jedi spies among the Sith ranks, with the goal being to weed them out and eliminate them before they could leak critical Imperial secrets.

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Grand Inquisitor​

The Grand Inquisitor is the de facto leader of the Inquisition and is typically also a member of the Dark Council, holding the rank of Sith Lord ("Darth"). The Grand Inquisitor is equivalent to the High Priest (or Priestess) of the old Priesthood of Tund. He or she answers to the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Emperor directly. The Grand Inquisitor monitors and directs the day-to-day operations of Inquisition, based on instructions given to him by his superiors.

In addition to running the Inquisition, the Grand Inquisitor is an important figure in the Sith religion, below only the Emperor and the Dark Lord themselves. He or she maintains the sacred texts of the Sith and oversees the enforcement of its doctrines. He or she is also responsible for organizing important religious events for the Empire, such as funerals of important figures and the coronation (should one be required) of a new Emperor.

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Templar/Inquisitor/Priest​

Once an Initiate has passed their training, they may formally begin doing the work of the Inquisition. They are now separate from the Sith Order but more deeply involved in the inner workings of the Empire than ever before. It is at this point (or long before) that an Initiate makes a choice as to what specialization they will take-and by extension-what duties they will perform: the Templar, the Inquisitor and the Priest.

Templars are the strong arm of the Inquisition. Their primary purpose is to serve as a direct counter to high profile Jedi Knights and Sith Warriors, and are sent to publicly destroy those who would sew dissent within the Empire. They serve an additional purpose as front-line chaplains within the Legion, acting as vanguards that draw on the strength of their troops' loyalty to cut swaths of destruction in the ranks of the enemy. The Templars focus almost entirely on combat and are often seen wearing heavy armor, as well as bearing the mark of their station: the crossguard lightsaber. The Templars are the fewest in number among the Inquisition.

Inquisitors are stealthy and enigmatic, and are deeply faithful toward the religious aspects of the Sith. They serve primarily to act in the shadows, spying on the enemies of the Sith inside and outside of the Empire. The Inquisitors also work closely with the intelligence branch of the Empire, and given their name, are the largest group within the Inquisition. They are often mistaken for Sith assassins, however, their training focuses more on utilizing Sith magick and rituals to hide themselves from their enemies and conceal their identities/intentions so that they may draw out confessions from enemies of the state.

Sith Priests are the second most plentiful in number of the Inquisition. Unlike the Templars and Inquisitors, the Priests do not hold a specific role as direct combatants or agents. Their purpose lies more in the realm of diplomacy and the exploitation of knowledge. They study the more refined Sith sorcery of the priesthood and actively go out to spread the word of the Empire, indoctrinating non-Force sensitive locals and cementing faith and fidelity within Imperial territory. Priests are often sent before an invasion to parlay with the local leadership, advising them to surrender rather than be decimated by the Imperial Legion.​

It is important to take specific note of the unique variation of Force training that members of the Inquisition experience. While members of the Sith Order are encouraged to compete with one another to achieve higher stations and to advance their own agendas, the members of the Inquisition do not tolerate such behavior and root it out with extreme prejudice. The members of the Inquisition derive their power from loyalty and fanaticism and encourage co-operation, romance, and alliances among their agents in order to enhance this variant form of passion. Their single-minded focus on uplifting the Empire is both their duty and their strength-and allows the Inquisitors to subvert the ambitious and greedy nature of the dark side.

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Initiate
(Optional: You may skip this rank and start as a Priest/Templar/Inquisitor.)​

While those who seek to pursue a path of power within the Sith Order may begin their training as an Acolyte. Those seeking the secrets of Sith Knowledge as well as a greater purpose to devote themselves to choose to join the Inquisition as Initiates. At the beginning of their training, Priests and Priestesses are no more than extensions of the will of the Empire. They are quickly taught to perform basic religious rites and indoctrinated with zealous and fanatical teachings that enforce the Sith paradigm. Those few who survive the ruthless training are allowed to formally rise into the ranks of the Inquisition.

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[Malon]

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The Moff Council​

The Moff Council is composed of prominent political and military minds and acts as the Empire's major political body. During the early days of the Empire, the Moffs were given free reign and controlled military forces like generals and admirals—many even had their own flagships. However, after the majority of the Council was killed during a bombing on Korriban, the Emperor restructured the Council to accommodate for its shortcomings and to make it more efficient.

The Council makes political decisions for the Empire and also act as the rulers of the worlds and systems they oversee. Following the bombing of the Council on Korriban by a rogue Sith-turned-Jedi, Force-sensitive Moffs are no longer permitted due to the often volatile nature of their allegiances.

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Grand Moff

Grand Moffs oversee large regions of space as opposed to a single planet or planetary system. There are a total of four Grand Moffs on the Moff Council: the Grand Moffs of the Tion Cluster, of Sith Space, of the Core Worlds, and of the remaining Outer Rim Systems. These Grand Moffs act as superior officers to the Moffs that oversee individual planets or planetary systems in their territory.

Grand Moffs are often selected for their military and political prowess. It is therefore common that the Grand Moffs are also Admirals and Generals within the Imperial Legion. In rare circumstances, they can also be Commanders in the Legion or prominent political figures (i.e., king, queen, count, etc.) within their planetary/system-wide government.

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Moff

A Moff is, quite simply, a planetary or system-wide governor. In addition to being referred to as "Moff," it is not uncommon for them to be known by the prefix "Governor." They act as their planet or system's ruler and command vast authority among the local populace (though they do not by any means own the planet). They are overseen by the Grand Moffs. It is not uncommon for a Moff to hold a position—such as Commander, General, or Admiral—in the Imperial Legion. Such Moffs tend to have more authority than those who are strictly planetary or system governors.

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