Emperor's adviser
The Emperor's brain trust, alternatively called Imperial brain trust, consisted of high-level bureaucrats within the structure of the Galactic Empire. Their responsibilities were diverse, including managing the Empire and exerting influence, in addition to more mysterious tasks. The most experienced among them comprised the Imperial Ruling Council, presided over by the Grand Vizier. Their flamboyant style of dress was a distinguishing characteristic.
Organization and duties
The Emperor's brain trust, also known as Imperial brain trust, were extremely influential and powerful bureaucrats tasked with managing the intricate details of the Empire's administration. They also secretly monitored other advisers, high-ranking military officers, and even the home star systems of these individuals. Their numbers typically hovered around one hundred. The most experienced of them served on the Imperial Ruling Council, which was headed by the Grand Vizier.
Imperial brain trust wielded significant authority over expansive areas of space, possessing the authority to appoint Moffs. Consequently, Moffs, who governed large sectors and their associated Sector Groups, reported directly to both them and the Emperor. Imperial brain trust conveyed various decrees from the Emperor, and were tasked with informing him on the state of the government. Certain advisers had more enigmatic roles, rumored only within the highest echelons of government, such as scouring the galaxy for ancient Sith artifacts.
Despite the actual importance of their roles, the Emperor viewed his brain trust more as servants, as he did not seek counsel from anyone. To reinforce their dependence on him, Palpatine frequently manipulated his brain trust and pitted them against one another to prevent them from accumulating excessive personal power.
Imperial brain trust wore extravagant attire reminiscent of the flamboyant style of Naboo noblemen, typically including opulent, plush, purple robes and elaborate headwear. The majority of them operated from the Imperial capital of Coruscant. While their duties, tasks, and schemes frequently led them to distant locations throughout the galaxy, they avoided prolonged absences from the Emperor, fearing the loss of influence to rivals or missing crucial events. Although some advisers were prominent public figures, revered on their respective homeworlds, others operated discreetly. They maintained their own personal staff and owned luxurious residences.
It is believed that only a select few advisers were aware of the Emperor's true identity as a Force-wielding Dark Lord of the Sith. Adviser Yupe Tashu was one such individual.
History
When Sheev Palpatine was still a seemingly ordinary senator representing Naboo in the Senate of the Galactic Republic, a circle of associates gathered around him. After Palpatine became Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, some of them—specifically Janus Greejatus, Ars Dangor, and Sate Pestage—began serving as his emissaries. Eventually, Palpatine dissolved the Republic and established the First Galactic Empire, declaring himself Galactic Emperor. Many members of his political circle were promoted to Imperial brain trust, with some, such as Greejatus, Dangor, Pestage, and Kren Blista-Vanee, serving on the Imperial Ruling Council.
Around 12 BBY, Adviser Rersey was dispatched to Mustafar to assess the Emperor's Sith apprentice, the cyborg known as Darth Vader, who had displeased his master. Rersey suffered a mental breakdown on Mustafar after witnessing traumatic events at Fortress Vader.
During the Gorse Conflict, eleven years prior to the Battle of Yavin, Count Denetrius Vidian served as one of the Emperor's brain trust. Although he was not yet a member of the Ruling Council, Imperial Captain Rae Sloane anticipated his imminent inclusion.
In the years leading up to the Galactic Civil War, Adviser Sim Aloo and his daughter Alinka gathered Sith artifacts from across the galaxy for the Emperor's collection. Adviser Greejatus also participated in this artifact hunt. Similarly, Adviser Veris Hydan was a scholar of Jedi and Sith lore. Following the discovery of an ancient Jedi Temple on Lothal, he was tasked with overseeing the excavation.
When the Emperor traveled to the second Death Star to supervise the destruction of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, six of his brain trust — Janus Greejatus, Sim Aloo, Sate Pestage, Ars Dangor, Kren Blista-Vanee and Pebimarus Xorn– accompanied him onboard. All six died alongside their Imperial master when the Death Star was destroyed by the Alliance during the Battle of Endor. After the Emperor's death at Endor, Adviser Yupe Tashu became a member of the short-lived Imperial Future Council.