Inquisitors

The Inquisitors, or the Imperial Inquisitors, were a secret organization of Force-sensitive agents within the Galactic Empire, specifically under the command of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. They were first introduced in the Star Wars: Rebels animated series and have since become an essential part of the Star Wars canon. Their primary responsibility was the eradication of any remnants of the Jedi Order and discovering hidden Force-sensitive individuals, while pursuing and destroying any potential opposition to the Empire.

The Inquisitorius program was established by Emperor Sheev Palpatine after the conclusion of The Clone Wars and the enactment of Order 66, exterminating the vast majority of Jedi. Consequently, Darth Vader, formerly the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, was entrusted with training and supervising the Inquisitors. Many of the Inquisitors were former Jedi who had turned to the dark side, while others were Force-sensitive individuals who had never been part of the Jedi Order. They were trained to employ dark side techniques, focusing on combat and interrogation skills. The organization's headquarters were located on the planet Mustafar, where their training took place under Vader's watch.

The Inquisitors were led by the Grand Inquisitor, a Pau'an male who was once a Jedi temple Guard before turning to the dark side. He directly reported to Darth Vader and commanded a group of Inquisitors, who were only identified by numerical titles, such as The Second Sister or the Ninth Brother. The Grand Inquisitor possessed substantial authority and autonomy over their subordinates, deploying them as necessary in their missions. Upon the Grand Inquisitor's death, the hierarchy was changed, and the remaining Inquisitors were assigned to specific sectors across the galaxy.

Inquisitors primarily wielded double-bladed spinning lightsabers, characterized by a circular hilt that allowed for versatile combat styles and a unique intimidation factor. In addition, Inquisitors typically wore uniforms reminiscent of Imperial aesthetics, featuring black armor and attire complemented with the rank insignias and red highlights. The organization also had access to specialized resources such as starships, including the TIE Advanced V1 and the Imperial Inquisitorius-class cruiser.

Apart from the Grand Inquisitor, several other notable Inquisitors held significant roles within the organization. For instance, the Second Sister, a human female, played a prominent role in the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, hunting down the surviving Jedi Padawan, Cal Kestis. The Fifth Brother and the Seventh Sister, both introduced in the Star Wars: Rebels series, worked together to combat the rebel cell led by Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger. Other Inquisitors, such as the Eighth Brother, Sixth Brother, and Ninth Brother, participated in various comic series and novels within the canon.

As the original Star Wars trilogy progressed and the Rebel Alliance grew in strength, the Inquisitors faced significant setbacks and defeats. Ultimately, the organization's decline began with the death of the Grand Inquisitor during the events of Star Wars: Rebels. The remaining Inquisitors were subsequently eliminated either by the protagonists of the series or by Darth Vader himself as punishment for their failures. By the time of Episode IV: A New Hope, the Inquisitorius was no longer an active organization within the Empire.