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The Empire inStar Warsis a vast churning machine spanning large swathes of the galaxy. Its fleets are filled with those of a singleminded coldness to assert order and control over other worlds. Enrolling other planets into the iron grip of their organization with glee.
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Its ranks are numerous, and there are a multitude of names, but one of the highest is the title of Moff. Four little letters asserted at the start of an individual’s name come with a lot of power and influence but are near impossible to attain for those of a lower station.
What Is A Moff?
Though it may sound odd, the title of Moff is essentially apolitical rank held within the Empire. It basically meansSpace Governorfor a system of planets within the territory of the Empire and later First Order.
It’s a rank bestowed to only a few, as it takes quite a cruel and calculating mind to rise up far within this cutthroat organization’s ranks. It also says a lot about the ego of the person eyeing up this particular seat as they’re givenfull reign of multiple worldsand the billions that dwell upon them. Only those obsessed with power last long in this particular place of employment. The most iconic of these ladder-climbing villains wasMoff Tarkin, who wasin charge of the original Death Star weaponbefore it exploded.
It’s a position thatThe Emperor(Sheev Palpatine) created to keep order within the vast early days of the growing Empire. Plus, itremoved power from planetary dignitaries, turning them into a Vassal World that reported to or was kept firmly under the heel of the Moff in charge.
Such a simple employment system also ensured that those who rose within the ranks to this role were the most ruthless, merciless, and cunning individuals in the entire Empire. Theperfect employeesof the perpetually planning patriarch of this cold imperium.
There are alsoGrand Moffs, which are essentially the same thing, but they’re in charge ofOversectors, which areclusters of systemsinstead of just one. So it’s the next step up for those looking to further their careers.
How To Become A Moff
Depending on your ambition, it’s arguablynot too difficult to become a Moff. Most of the early leaders got to where they were purely byclimbing the ranks of the Empire, showing exceedingly excellent and reliable performance in important roles, such as spearheading secret projects or having an exemplary run of a space station or other vital Imperial outpost and programs.
Another way is toget cozy with a Sithof particular influence, though that comes with risks. Tarkin, for example, had already risen to therank of Admiralwithin the New Republic by the time Palpatine began his behind-the-scenes plays to take power. He was alsothe first Grand Moffappointed as an example of what can be achieved with loyalty to the Empire.
The Power Of A Moff
The power of a Moff in a functioning Empire is one to be feared. It takes very little for them tomuster a force capable of swiftly ending any rebellion in an entire systemof planets. Entire battlefleets, Stormtroopers in their thousands, and great wings of fighters can be dispatched with reasons known only to the Moff, with no one other than their superiors daring to question their judgment or reasoning.To go against the Moff is to go against the Empireand the Emperor himself, and those that do usually find themselves on the receiving end of a firing squad or sent to a brutal penal colony.
Most keep their heads down and ensure orders are followed whenever a Moff is present. Though, as mentioned above,their reach is not infinite, their actions and methods are not completely without question, as any larger requests for troops and equipment would need to be cleared bythe Council of Moffs. Primarily to ensure that the individual making such a request was doing so for a good reason and not for their own personal gain.
After all, the ranks of the Moffs are filled with some verypower-hungry people. So it’s not uncommon for them to try andbackstab each otherwith hidden powerplays. Moff Gideon, for example, kept hissecret force user clone experiments hiddenfrom the council while requesting more troops, specialized guards, and Imperial fighters for his own reasons. Even in hiding, there was astrict bureaucracy and chain of command. When their actions demand punitive consequences, they’re dealt with swiftly by Grand Moffs, The Imperial Council, and the Emperor.
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Also, all this power comes with the constant threat of someone always waiting in the wings to take over or conspiring to bring you down.It makes for quite the paranoia-inducing position of employment.
Notable Moffs
Only a fewhave survived their ascension through the ranksof the Empire to attain the rank of Moff. Whether through sheer cunning and skill, luck, or just knowing the right Dark Lord, they’ve managed to attain ‘Moff-hood.’ Though some would go on to become Grand Moff’s, others would have theircareer progress stymiedby politics or abruptly cut short for one reason or another.
Still, there have been anotable few among this group of evil individuals, and their achievements and goals are just as diverse as their attitudes and personalities. We won’t list every single one in the mainline canon and beyond, but there is a handful worth mentioning.
Moff Gideon
Appearing inThe Mandalorian, Gideon acts as the antagonist for the majority of the first season and the back half of the third. A remnant of thepost-destroyed Empirethat operates in secret, he was part of theShadow Council along with other Moffsof various unknown and secretive sectors. He would bedefeated repeatedly.
Grand Moff Tarkin
The big bad Tarkster himself that was played by the legendary Peter Cushing, Tarkin wasin charge of the Death Star. He first appeared in the first trilogy of movies, and though he was detonated along with the space station, he’s continued to pop up in the canon in pre-original timeline media as his backstory is continually filled out. His role in the rise of the Empire and the fall of the Old Republic has been made clearer with time.
Grand Moff Valco Pandion
A maniac that appeared in theStar Wars novel Aftermath. Pandion was a Moff that made the brave decision todeclare himself a Grand Moffright after the Emperor was detonated on the second Death Star and Vader was being crispy cooked on an Endor funeral pyre. So there was no one to stop him. He didn’t last long, though. While the Empire as a whole was either routed, defeated, or surrendering,Pandion refused and went down fighting, more or less.
Moff Ubnrik Adelhard
Another that reached the high ranks of Moff, Ubnrik started out as just alowly Stormtrooper for the Empire, but over the years, he climbed the ranks and attained “Moffhood.” He used his new position to do things such asgassing an entire planetover rumors of dissent,blockading an entire sectorto prevent the truth of Palpatines death from getting out, andregularly killing anyone that spoke against himor the Empire in general.
