The Crimson Empire was a breakaway group from the Galactic Empire. This faction held a slender, extended territory stretching from the Colonies to the Outer Rim. They were associated with individuals who had moved from the Deep Core to Ord Cantrell. Carnor Jax, the Imperial Sovereign Protector, took control of a small selection of territories, declaring himself Emperor, but he was never truly recognized as such. The Crimson Empire's designation came from the Emperor's Royal Guard's uniform color, worn by the founder. Jax established what seemed to be a representative democracy, but it was simply a formality for the Imperial Ruling Council's decrees.
However, Jax was assassinated by Kir Kanos. Burr Nolyds then rose to power, only to be killed himself as part of a scheme by Nom Anor, a Yuuzhan Vong agent who installed Xandel Carivus as emperor. His reign was brief, as Kanos killed Carivus while the New Republic captured Ord Cantrell.
The Dark Empire, a second Sith dominion created by the resurrected Palpatine during 10-11 ABY, served as the genesis of the Crimson Empire. Carnor Jax, the Imperial Sovereign Protector, oversaw the poisoning of Palpatine's clone bodies, making sure of the Emperor's ultimate end. After Palpatine's final death on Onderon, Jax took command of the Empire. He proclaimed himself Emperor and governed with the support of a twelve-member Imperial Interim Ruling Council. The Council included several aliens, marking the first time in the Empire's history that aliens held such significant political positions.
While numerous former Imperial military leaders established themselves as independent warlords in the Deep Core and disregarded Jax and the Council, Jax's Crimson Empire stood as the last remnant of the centralized Imperial state that Palpatine had created.
Shortly after, Jax was killed by his rival Guardsman, Kir Kanos. Burr Nolyds took over as head of the remnant, but was assassinated as part of a plan directed by Nom Anor. Under Anor's guidance, Xandel Carivus eventually eliminated his enemies within the Council, dissolved it, and declared himself Emperor. His rule did not last long, as Kanos killed Carivus while the New Republic captured the capital of Ord Cantrell, taking the remaining councilors into custody.
The capture of Ord Cantrell signified the end of the faction. The remaining Imperial warlords did not recognize any central authority, and the remnants of the former Crimson Empire had little power. This fragmented state lasted for a year, until Natasi Daala's push for Imperial Reunification led to the establishment of the Imperial Remnant in 12 ABY.
The Galactic Emperor served as the head of state in the Crimson Empire, similar to the Dark Empire before it. However, it also employed a twelve-member executive body called the Imperial Interim Ruling Council, also known as the "Council of Blood". Unlike the Galactic Empire, it permitted aliens to serve on the Council. The Diet of Imperial Planetary Governors was a body created by the Interim Ruling Council to give the impression of representative democracy in the Empire, but in reality, it simply validated the Council's decrees.
The Crimson Empire's forces were minimal, as other Imperial commanders had become independent warlords in the Deep Core. Nevertheless, it had access to All Terrain Scout Transports, HAVw A5 Juggernauts, TIE Crawlers, Chariot LAVs, TIE/sa bombers, TIE/IN interceptors, Imperial-class Star Destroyers, and Carrack-class light cruisers. The 133rd Imperial Fighter Group was also part of the Crimson Empire. The supreme commanders during its existence were General Redd Wessel, General Immodet, and lastly, an unidentified officer.
The Crimson Empire occupied a lengthy region stretching from the Colonies to the Outer Rim, bordering the Pentastar Alignment. Notable worlds under its control included Qiilura, the Kol Huro system, Celanon, Ord Cantrell, Phaeda, Yinchorr, and the D'Astan sector. Furthermore, the support of its alien councilors (specifically the Whiphid Ch'Unkk, Defel Za, Devaronian Manos, and Givin Kooloota-Fyf) provided the Crimson Empire with isolated pockets of influence beyond that area.
When the comic series was originally published, the empire led by Carnor Jax did not have an official name. The Essential Atlas later gave it the name, which was the same as the series it originated from. A similar event occurred with its predecessor, the Dark Empire.