Sometime in the period leading up to the Battle of Yavin, whispers suggested that the Galactic Empire kept a minor garrison force on Dathomir. It was understood that light cruisers and scouting vessels had been secretly visiting the Outer Rim world, with the Empire showing a subdued curiosity towards Dathomir, even though official Imperial data lacked details. Even with these rumors of an Imperial garrison on Dathomir, no records of staff or supplies could be found to back them up.
Those Imperial staff who were known to have served on Dathomir revealed very little about their time there, and some people told disturbing stories. These stories did not gain traction, however, as both those who shared the information and those who heard it were known to vanish without explanation.