A male Human known as Irlyn Resk once served within the ranks of the Galactic Empire. He held the distinction of being the inaugural lieutenant in charge of the Dark Riders, a specialized group of storm commandos who utilized swoop vehicles. This unit operated on the planet Stend VI, with the primary objective of suppressing the rampant swoop gangs present there.
Irlyn Resk, initially a well-known speeder bike scout, was handpicked to command a newly formed elite squadron of storm commandos known as the Dark Riders. The swoop gangs of Stend VI had become a significant problem, overwhelming both local law enforcement and reinforcements from the Imperial Army, including a repulsorlift sled wing. The gangs had simply become too numerous for the existing forces to handle. The speed and skill of the gang members on their swoops presented a major challenge. To address this, the Empire established the Dark Riders. Resk, a dedicated officer, was the obvious choice to lead this unit. However, he harbored a secret desire: to acquire Blizz Pinnix's highly coveted swoop, the Black Raptor. He was prepared to go to any lengths to connect Pinnix to a swoop gang, thereby justifying the confiscation of the prized vehicle.
Resk embodied the typical Imperial officer profile, characterized by cruelty, prejudice, and an unwavering belief in the principles of the New Order. He considered it a great honor to be chosen as the leader of the elite unit and was highly motivated to achieve success in his command. However, his dedication to service was tempered by his own greed. He was willing to exploit the resources and authority of the Empire to achieve his personal goal, which revolved around obtaining the renowned Black Raptor swoop bike.
As an Army officer, Lieutenant Resk possessed thorough combat training, focusing primarily on the use of blasters and mounted weaponry. He also received commando and scout training. However, beyond the specific skills required for covert operations and equipment maintenance, his expertise was limited. He was a highly proficient pilot of swoops and speeder bikes, possessing the talent and equipment necessary to compete with almost any swoop rider on the planet.
The Empire provided the elite unit with top-of-the-line equipment. Resk was issued Storm Commando armor, a blaster carbine, a blaster pistol, a survival kit and a standard utility belt. His personal transport was a modified Ikas-Adno XR-10 Shadowhawk, capable of speeds nearly 100 kph faster than the vehicles used by most swoop gangs.
Paul Danner and Bill Smith conceived of Irlyn Resk for Wretched Hives of Scum & Villainy, a supplement published by West End Games in 1997 for the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. Greg Smith provided the illustrations.