Alien Initiatives: A Turning Point for the Empire
General Lore
The rebellion of Malgus the Betrayer was a devastating blow to the Sith Empire, shattering its unity and weakening its offensive against the Republic. His defection and the alien factions that joined him were seen as a betrayal, and the Empire’s treatment of these disloyal species would forever be marked with suspicion and distrust. However, this period of turmoil also sparked change in the Empire’s military and societal structure.
In the wake of Malgus’s rebellion, the Empire found itself needing to rebuild and bolster its strength. Its military forces were significantly weakened, and the constant war with the Republic drained the Empire’s resources. In response to this, the Empire’s leadership, despite opposition from more conservative elements such as Grand Moff Regus, made the controversial decision to integrate its alien subjects into the Imperial military.
This shift in policy was born from necessity: only by increasing the ranks with willing and loyal alien soldiers could the Empire hope to survive the conflict. Species that had long been seen as inferior or expendable were now being recruited and given positions of power and responsibility. The Cathar, once seen as little more than savages, rose to prominence within the Empire, earning respect and influence. Similarly, the Kaleesh, among other alien species, pledged their loyalty to the Empire, proving their worth in battle and securing positions within the ranks.
The alien recruits, however, did not face an easy path. They encountered prejudice from more traditional members of the Empire who viewed them with disdain. Yet, these alien warriors, motivated by the desire to prove themselves and secure their place in the Empire, fought with unmatched determination. Their integration into the Empire marked a new era—one in which the Empire recognized the need to adapt in order to survive, even if it meant embracing those it had once considered enemies.
The alien factions, once marginalized, found new purpose and power in the Imperial ranks, helping to reforge the Empire into a more diverse, yet no less dangerous, force in the galaxy.
The Jedi Lore Keeper’s Perspective
For the Jedi, the Alien Initiatives are a reminder of the delicate balance of power, loyalty, and prejudice within the Sith Empire. From the perspective of the Jedi, the decision to integrate alien species into the Empire’s military was not one born of compassion, but rather out of necessity—a reaction to the weakening of the Sith’s unified front.
The Jedi see the aliens who chose to serve in the Imperial military as being trapped in a web of manipulation. While these individuals may have acted out of a sense of loyalty or survival, the Jedi know that such decisions rarely lead to lasting peace or stability. The Jedi are keenly aware of the underlying prejudice and division that still runs through the heart of the Empire, even as it tries to bolster its ranks with diverse forces. This uneasy integration of alien soldiers into the Empire, while effective in rebuilding the Sith war machine, reflects the hypocrisy at the core of the Empire’s philosophy: it embraces alien species only when it is advantageous, all the while seeing them as lesser beings.
The Jedi are also mindful of the Cathar and Kaleesh, two species that rose to prominence within the Empire’s ranks. While these groups may have found a measure of power, the Jedi see the eventual cost of such service. Alien warriors who ally with the Empire, despite the promises of power, often find themselves used and discarded once the Empire has secured its goals. The Jedi are well aware that these individuals are not seen as equals, but as pawns in a larger game, and their loyalty to the Empire may ultimately be their undoing.
From the Jedi’s perspective, the fact that the Empire is willing to adopt alien recruits speaks to the Sith’s desperation. The Sith have always seen themselves as the rightful rulers of the galaxy, and yet, their need for alien soldiers indicates a fracture in their belief system—a weakening of their hold on the galaxy that can only be filled by any means necessary, including alien species. This reflects the Empire’s inability to truly unify its ranks, and ultimately, it is a corruption of the Empire’s own ideals.
The Jedi see a greater danger in this shift: the potential for the Empire to leverage the strength and loyalty of these alien species to fuel even greater wars, with the galaxy's many species as pawns in a conflict that serves only the Sith. The Jedi believe that true unity comes from mutual respect, not the forced integration of outsiders for the sake of power. These alien warriors, though brave and noble in their own right, are being led down a path of manipulation, and the Jedi can only hope that the galaxy’s oppressed peoples will one day rise to challenge the Sith’s vision of the future.
Against the protests of its more conservative leaders–including heated objections from Grand Moff Regus–the Empire began a concerted effort to integrate its most devoted alien subjects into the military. Only by increasing its numbers with alien stock could the Empire survive the raging conflict against the Republic.
The new alien recruits face down prejudice and competition to prove their worth and secure power within the evolving Empire. Cathar clans have vaulted to prominence, while Kaleesh tribes and countless other species pledge their support to the Imperial fight. Fueled by these brave and committed alien warriors, the Empire rallies its strength and marches into a new era. (Codex Text - Star Wars the Old Republic)
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