Harsh was a male Human who served the Galactic Empire. During the Galactic Civil War, he held the rank of Moff in the Outer Rim Territories, specifically overseeing the Bosph sector. He opposed the Alliance to Restore the Republic. As a young man, he dreamed of commanding a vessel as large as a Star Destroyer, so he attended the Imperial Academy. There, he excelled and graduated with top honors, having been influenced in politics by a senator. After graduating, Harsh joined the Imperial Navy. He eventually became the captain of the Star Destroyer called the Cauldron. Early in the Galactic Civil War, Harsh led stormtroopers to a successful victory against Rebel forces on the planet Chabosh during a battle, but he was seriously injured. Despite the recommendations of a medical droid, Harsh declined a cybernetic limb replacement and waited for the wound to heal naturally.
Following his triumph and subsequent recovery, Harsh became renowned. Emperor Palpatine himself promoted him to the rank of Moff. Given control of the sector of Bosph, Harsh governed with extreme control, bombarding the planet Bosph and killing many of its inhabitants under Palpatine's orders. After the Emperor's death, Harsh, residing on Otunia, worked with Seth Kabul (a Human) to seize control of Kabul Industries, a mining company. With the company's leader, Lorn Kabul (Seth's brother), removed, Seth could then align the company with the Empire. Lorn was successfully killed, but his daughter, Arista Kabul, survived and destroyed the Kabul Industries mines, thwarting Harsh's scheme.
Harsh, a male Human, was born to a minor bureaucrat. As a child, he obtained a toy Star Destroyer, which he played with until a bully destroyed it. In response, Harsh used the stone that broke the toy to injure the bully's face. Later, Harsh attended the Imperial Academy, where he befriended a senator who mentored him in politics. He graduated with honors and, with the senator's support, quickly advanced in the Imperial Navy, achieving the rank of captain and commanding the Imperial-class Star Destroyer called the Cauldron.
At the beginning of the Galactic Civil War against the Alliance to Restore the Republic, Harsh was deployed to the planet Chabosh. He led a fleet in an orbital blockade after the Rebel overthrow of the Imperial governor. Harsh personally commanded a company of stormtroopers in the final assault on the Rebels' stronghold, which was protected by deflector shields. During the successful attack, Harsh was seriously wounded and returned to the Cauldron. A 2-1B surgical droid advised him that his leg needed a cybernetic replacement. Harsh refused and threatened other patients with a blaster to prevent treatment. His leg eventually healed, and he became a legend. He was rapidly promoted past more senior officers, and one year after his victory on Chabosh, Emperor Palpatine personally made him a Moff. The ceremony took place in the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, where he was given control of the Bosph sector in the Outer Rim Territories.
As Moff of the Bosph sector, Rebel activity was minimal. However, the Emperor learned of the ela b'Yentarr, a Force-sensitive group of the Bosph species native to the sector. Under the Emperor's orders, Harsh blockaded the Bosph homeworld, then bombarded it, killing many inhabitants. Around 4 ABY, Harsh resided on Otunia and survived the Empire's defeat at the Battle of Endor, where Palpatine died.
After the Emperor's death, Lorn Kabul, head of Kabul Industries, refused to partner with the Empire. Harsh, unhappy with this, arranged with Lorn's brother, Seth, to kill Lorn. In exchange for political favors for Seth, Harsh would gain access to the mine's resources. Seth would plant charges in a mining tunnel to detonate when Lorn and his daughter, Arista Kabul, visited for an inspection. After delays, Harsh contacted Seth via hologram to demand action, and the plan was executed the next day. The charges detonated, killing Lorn, and Seth became the company's head, forming the desired partnership. Harsh then went to the Kabul Estate with Imperial forces to secure it for Seth.
However, Arista Kabul survived. Seth, aware of this, sent men to eliminate her without Harsh's knowledge. Arista, with her Gamorrean companion, Grissom, infiltrated the Kabul Estate shortly after Harsh's arrival and visited Seth. Instead of killing Seth, Arista and Grissom had Tek, a Jawa criminal, destroy the Kabul mines, leaving her uncle with nothing, and then fled the planet.
Harsh dreamed of commanding vessels like his Star Destroyer toy as a child. Even at a young age, he was aggressive, attacking another child for destroying his toy. His mentor, the senator, taught him the importance of winning both political and military battles. When wounded on Chabosh, Harsh refused a cybernetic limb, believing it made him incomplete, and threatened others to ensure his wishes were met, willing his leg to heal naturally. As Moff of the Bosph sector, Harsh ruled with strict control.
During his collaboration with Seth Kabul, Harsh became frustrated with delays, although the potential wealth pleased him. He was both wise and charismatic. Harsh had pale skin, brown eyes, and was bald during his time with Seth Kabul.
Harsh was skilled with blaster pistols, blaster rifles, simple weapons, heavy weapons, and vibroweapons, as well as all types of armor and starship piloting.
Harsh carried a blaster pistol, a datapad, and a comlink while on duty. During his time working with Seth Kabul on Otunia, he wore a standard Imperial officer's uniform.
Harsh's first appearance was in "Three Against the Galaxy," a comic story in Star Wars Tales 3 on March 29, 2000. It was written by Rich Hedden and illustrated by Rick Leonardi.