The Emperor's walking stick was a Sith relic that took the shape of a sleek, ebony cane. It is most famously known for being used by Galactic Emperor Palpatine during the latter part of his rule, specifically during the era of the Galactic Civil War.
Centuries prior to the Clone Wars, a cyberneticist operating from a desolate, industrial Outer Rim Territories planet pilfered the cane. This scientist, becoming aware that a Mandalorian clan loyal to Ung Kusp had been commissioned to retrieve the cane, proposed a deal to Jaing and Durge, who were enemies of Kusp's clan. He offered to equip them with armor enhanced with advanced weaponry and reflex systems in exchange for their protection. Soon after the augmentations were completed, a Mandalorian assault team breached the scientist's facility and engaged Jaing, Durge, and the scientist's aide Nubyl, who was in a defense cyborg body. The trio fought off the attackers until one of the Mandalorians deployed a thermal detonator. Jaing was mortally wounded, Durge lost consciousness, and Nubyl experienced a system failure.
The Mandalorians reclaimed the cane; however, before their departure, Durge regained consciousness. Enraged by Jaing's near-fatal injury, he vanquished the Mandalorian invaders. The scientist recovered the cane and urged Durge to seek vengeance by eliminating the remaining Mandalorians, promising to resurrect Jaing. Subsequently, Durge embarked on a mission to hunt down Kusp's clan.
By 1 BBY, the cane had come into the possession of Galactic Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine frequently used the cane to project an image of frailty, even though he did not always require it. However, the corrupting influence of the Dark Side, coupled with advanced age, had significantly weakened his physical condition to the point where his mobility was genuinely compromised when he wasn't actively drawing upon the Force. When he visited the second Death Star in the days leading up to the Battle of Endor, Palpatine carried the cane, also taking it into his throne room.
Six years after his revival on Byss, Palpatine employed a similar cane during an encounter with a recently captured Skywalker on Byss.
The Emperor's cane made its debut appearance in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. According to the reference book From Star Wars to Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives, the original prop's dimensions were 20×94×3 centimeters.