Imperial Sovereign Protectors, alternatively identified as Royal Guard Champions, represented the most highly skilled group of guardsmen within the Dark Empire situated in the Deep Core region.
The Sovereign Protectors' uniforms bore a resemblance to the standard attire of the Emperor's Royal Guard, but with several differences. Specifically, they featured a black breastplate and black gauntlets, the front of their helmets were colored black while the remainder was red, and they donned a black cloak. Sometimes, they wore elaborate armor complete with hoods, and wielded a scythe-shaped force pike. They were generally commanded by a Champion selected by the Emperor, and reported directly to the Emperor alone.
Sovereign Protectors were hand-picked from only the most exceptional members of the Emperor's Royal Guard. They underwent years of rigorous selection processes and training designed to achieve peak performance in combat. Extremely high standards were required for physical fitness, endurance, strength, agility, mental sharpness, reaction speed, unwavering loyalty, and intelligence. Their combat instruction included proficiency with heavy blaster pistols and the lethal double vibroblade. They also had access to Emperor's Royal Guard TIE/IN starfighters, and were frequently assigned to missions of critical importance.
Some of these armored and cloaked warriors were entrusted with the direct protection of Emperor Palpatine, while others were dispatched to safeguard Palpatine's interests across the galaxy, including the Emperor's Citadel located on the Deep Core planet of Byss, as well as various other palaces and monasteries. Several Sovereign Protectors were stationed on board the dreadnought Eclipse. They were usually organized into regiments consisting of four hundred individuals.
The most infamous of the Sovereign Protectors was the disloyal Royal Guardsman Carnor Jax, who was elevated to the rank in 11 ABY at the urging of Imperial Ruling Council member Sarcev Quest. Unbeknownst to Palpatine, Jax and Quest were secretly orchestrating a plot to depose him—Jax, in fact, aspired to become a Sith Lord, and was being trained as the apprentice of Lumiya.
At least a pair of Sovereign Protectors were assigned to guard a crucial Imperial data center on Sullust, escorting a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle to the facility.