The Imperial Stormtrooper Corps

The Imperial Stormtroopers are the elite forces of the Galactic Empire, and unlike the Imperial Army or Imperial Navy they are loyal to the Emperor himself rather than to particular systems or the Imperial Senate. They are, after all, funded through the Emperor's coffers and are indoctrinated to be unflinchingly loyal to him. The Imperial Stormtroopers are ever-present reminders of the absolute power of the Emperor, faceless enforcers of the Imperial Order and extensions of Emperor Holt's will. They are distinguished from all other military units by their signature white armor, though certain stormtrooper variants have their own armor and Imperial Knights wear crimson armor very similar to that of the stormtroopers.

The Imperial Stormtroopers date back to the very beginning of the Galactic Empire, to the Clone Troopers that served the Old Republic in the Clone Wars. They became Stormtroopers when the Republic transformed into the Empire, and have remained in service to the Emperors - and their successor states - as long as there had been an Empire. In the periods of interregnum, such as during the age of the Imperial Remnant, the stormtroopers were often fragmented, many serving their choice of the Imperial successor.

During the Sith-Imperial War, the Stormtroopers largely fought for the Sith and served Darth Krayt. However, Emperor Roan Fel was able to sway many back to his side, and they have remained devotedly loyal to the Emperors ever since.

Indeed, no Imperial Stormtroopers fought against the Empire during the Imperial Civil War - despite the Dark Lord of the Sith being the former leader of the Imperial Knights. The Sith were forced to make do with mercenaries, poor imitations of the real thing.


Though originally all Human clones, all Stormtroopers are enlisted soldiers drawn from a pool of Humans and aliens alike. The Stormtroopers, unlike the Imperial Army, do not permit draftees; only volunteers are permitted the honor of donning the white. Children of Stormtroopers tend to follow in their parents' footsteps, even serving in the same unit as their parents.

Though no longer quite so restrictive as they once were, the Stormtrooper Corps has stringent standards. Stormtroopers must be at least 190 cm tall, though the weight standards vary by species and gender. Their standards of physical fitness have no concession for species or gender, however, and require that Stormtroopers be strong, fast, and tough. The majority of the Corps are Human men, followed by Human women and then humanoid aliens with a tiny percentage of non-humanoids.


The Stormtrooper Corps is organized into the standard military rank structure. Imperial Knights are all commissioned as officers, but they are technically outside the chain of command except by special provision. Warrant officers are pilots and technical experts, while sergeants the backbone of the Corps.


The Stormtroopers are a military organization, but unlike the Imperial Army they answer directly to the Emperor and are sworn to the service of the Throne. Their devotion to the Emperor is absolute, and their obedience unquestioning. Stormtroopers value not only devotion, but also skill and expertise.


Stormtroopers are equipped with their signature armor, proof against most small-arms fire and expanding their already-formidable capabilities as soldiers through a combination of protective measures, communications gear, and sensors.

Stormtroopers are also issued personal shield generators, designed to protect them against heavy blaster-fire. Their shields can take several blaster rifle shots, but have limited charge and once collapsed remain down until the energy cells are replaced and the generators charged up again - recharging taking about thirty seconds after the energy cells are replaced. However, the shields are low-radiation models that are safe for use with Phase IX armor.

The main service rifle of the Stormtrooper Corps is the versatile BlasTech A-35 Weapons System, a weapon that served them well through the Imperial Civil War. However, Imperial Research and Development has undertaken to develop a new blaster rifle for the Stormtroopers and it is expected to be issued out to line units in the near future.

Stormtroopers utilize many of the same vehicles as the Imperial Army and Navy, including TIE Interceptors and Star Destroyers. Those vehicles are crewed entirely by Stormtroopers, marked apart from standard soldiers and sailors by their black uniforms.

• Scout Troopers: The most common stormtrooper variant, Scout Troopers wear a lighter armor and are trained as reconnaissance troopers, spies, and survivalists. They are especially excellent marksmen, and many are trained as snipers. They are typically armed with sidearms and marksmanship rifles equipped with powerful scopes and targeting computers.
  
• 501st Legion: The elite stormtroopers assigned to the command of Imperial Knights, these troopers are a step above their peers - and have been ever since their beginning as Darth Vader's elite unit five hundred years ago. They are marked by bright crimson stripes on their armor much like those of the Clone troopers, though the camouflage conceals that just as readily as the white base when activated. They are armed with the Merr-Sonn C-44 Blaster Rifle, typically with underslung sonic blasters, scatter-guns, or micro-rocket launchers.

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