The Guarlara, a Venator-class Star Destroyer, functioned as part of the Fifth Fleet within the Galactic Republic's Open Circle Fleet under the Republic Navy. It saw action during the Battle of Coruscant in 19 BBY, a key engagement of the Clone Wars. During this battle, the Guarlara briefly engaged the Confederacy of Independent Systems' flagship, the Providence-class Dreadnought known as the Invisible Hand, a vessel of the Confederacy of Independent Systems navy, leading to a short skirmish between these two warships.
In this encounter, the Star Destroyer sustained significant damage to its hull, but it also inflicted considerable damage upon the Separatist dreadnought. By hitting one of the Invisible Hand's gun magazines, the Guarlara was instrumental in causing the Separatist vessel to begin its fall towards the surface of the planet Coruscant.
The Guarlara, a Venator-class Star Destroyer, was equipped with two bridges and propelled by eight engine units. This Star Destroyer featured several stationary AV-7 Anti-vehicle Artillery Cannon on its starboard side, along with eight DBY-827 heavy turbolaser turrets (four on each side), and two medium dual turbolaser cannons. The sides of the Guarlara's hull displayed the emblem of the Galactic Republic's Open Circle Fleet of the Republic Navy. Furthermore, five red stripes were painted on both its port and starboard wings, indicating its affiliation with the Republic Navy's Fifth Fleet. Interestingly, the Guarlara shared its designation with a creature native to the grasslands found on Naboo.
During the Clone Wars of 19 BBY, the Confederacy of Independent Systems launched a bold attack on the Republic's capital planet, Coruscant. This assault was spearheaded by Kaleesh Separatist General Grievous. In a daring move, Grievous successfully captured Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine and held him aboard the Separatist flagship, the Providence-class Dreadnought Invisible Hand. This prompted the immediate recall of Republic forces from across the galaxy to defend Coruscant. Consequently, the Guarlara, along with over a thousand other Venator-class Star Destroyers from the Open Circle Fleet, entered the system with the mission to destroy as many Separatist warships as possible.
As the intense space battle unfolded above Coruscant, the Guarlara encountered the Invisible Hand, which was already weakened due to damage to its deflector shields. As the Venator passed the Separatist dreadnought's starboard side, its turbolasers locked onto the Invisible Hand, triggering a brief exchange of fire after the Guarlara launched an attack. The two warships exchanged heavy fire, resulting in significant damage to both vessels. The Invisible Hand managed to destroy one of the Venator's starboard medium dual turbolaser cannons and blasted a hole in its starboard hull, leading to the destruction of several cannons and the loss of life among the clone troopers of the 41st Elite Corps who were manning the turrets.
During the relentless exchange, one of the Guarlara's DBY-827 heavy turbolaser turrets was destroyed by the Separatist dreadnought. However, the Venator ultimately gained the upper hand by scoring a direct hit on a flak gun's magazine aboard the Invisible Hand, causing a massive explosion that engulfed the gun deck. This resulted in the dreadnought losing its stability in orbit and beginning a rapid descent towards the planet's surface as its crew struggled to regain control. Despite the damage inflicted by the Guarlara, the Invisible Hand was able to stabilize and continue its orbit around the planet.
The Guarlara was staffed by clone troopers from the Grand Army of the Republic's 41st Elite Corps. These clone troopers were responsible for operating the Star Destroyer's weaponry, including the AV-7 Anti-vehicle Artillery Cannons.
The Guarlara made its debut in the prequel trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, which premiered on May 19, 2005. Its name was first officially revealed in Star Wars: On the Front Lines, a reference book written by Daniel Wallace in 2017. The Guarlara was initially identified within the Star Wars Legends continuity in the entry for the Providence-class carrier/destroyer, which was released on May 4, 2005, within the Databank on StarWars.com.