A retainer was a personal servant, usually in the service of a member of the nobility. They were loyal servants to their lieges, and often overprotective about their lords. In some cases, the retainer's family had served the nobles of their planet for generations. During the Galactic Civil War, as many nobles joined the Alliance to Restore the Republic, they took their retainers into service with the Rebellion with them. In other instances, retainers were ordered into detached duty within the Alliance by their lords. However, the loyalty of the retainer was firmly with their liege above the Rebellion.
The ruler of the Anointed People of the planet Abonshee, known as the Godking, employed retainers as part of his personal retinue. Twenty-five of his retainers joined the Godking on a hunting expedition he staged for visiting members of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. The Mon Calamari Rekara served as the retainer for Mors Odrion, an Alliance dignitary.
The "Loyal Retainer" was one of the original twenty-four character templates used by the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, first published in the first edition rulebook. If another player character was roleplaying as a noble, then it was suggested that the Loyal Retainer was in their service.
- Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game
- Star Wars Campaign Pack