Editing Typical Imperial Royal Guard (section)

==='''Description'''===
This most elite order of the Emperor's bodyguards is selected from the main body of the crimson-robed Royal Guard. They are stationed in small groups throughout the Empire as watchmen over all the palaces and monasteries that Palpatine haunts as well as guarding the Emperor. 

No other group of soldiers in the entire galaxy, Empire or Republic, is as highly trained or motivated. They have an awesome responsibility. With Palpatine's knowledge of the Force, and with the importance of his projects at the Clone Vats on Byss, these armored figures have the most important duty in the entire New Order. Each of them is clothed in lightweight, yet elaborate ceremonial armor, and armed with unique and exotic weapons. They are experts at armed and unarmed combat.

One reason the Emperor created the Sovereign Protectors was because he thought it unwise to limit the aspirations of his followers. By setting nearly unattainable goals and watching his men struggle to achieve them, he can keep them under better control. By creating higher and higher circles of elite status, it motivates them all to push themselves constantly.

Just as the Royal Guard are the finest of the Imperial stormtroopers, so the Protectors are the highest order yet. Palpatine may create still more elevated ranks in the future, but for now, the Protectors are the summit.

The training arid testing procedure that each Protector undergoes is elaborate and time consuming; it may take years to qualify, and the waiting list is enormous. Part of the selection process is based on traditional combat fitness, including tests of stamina, strength, dexterity, and the ability to endure pain. Other tests include mental acuity, reaction time, loyalty, intelligence. Once they have shown exemplary achievement in all these matters, the most crucial step is begun. Unlike all the other soldiers at the Emperor's command, the Sovereign Protectors are taught in the ways of the Dark Side.

Tutored in the Force by the Senior Dark Side Adepts in the Emperor's service, they are taught only elementary skills, so they must always be subservient. And subservient they are — so utterly unswerving in their loyalty that it is said that they can't even perceive any thing which might corrupt them from their service; others say they would kill themselves in an instant if ordered to by their Master. Whether true or not, that unthinking loyalty will be most useful to them later because those who distinguish themselves here are some times selected to become Dark Jedi themselves.