A zealous advocate for the New Order and its fundamental principles, Ishin-Il-Raz stood among the original twelve Grand Admirals within the Imperial Navy. He was appointed by Emperor Palpatine two years prior to the famed Battle of Yavin. Early on, Il-Raz played a role in establishing the Commission for the Protection of the Republic. When it was reformed in 19 BBY, he rose to lead the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order, becoming a pivotal influence in shaping its Humanocentric philosophies.
His dedication eventually caught Palpatine's eye, leading to his appointment as Grand Admiral, despite Il-Raz's utter lack of military background. This choice sparked considerable disapproval, and Il-Raz was aware his selection was purely political. He began to worship Palpatine, initiating a string of brutal massacres in an attempt to gain the Emperor's favor. These acts of cruelty only diminished his public image, and when Palpatine met his end at Endor in 4 ABY, Il-Raz was largely disregarded by his fellow Grand Admirals, who became warlords and engaged in infighting. Devastated by Palpatine's death, Il-Raz contemplated ending his own life. Eight months after Endor, he piloted his Star Destroyer into the Denarii Nova, resulting in his own death and the deaths of thousands more.
Ishin-Il-Raz, a Human male, emerged as a significant figure within the Commission for the Protection of the Republic. Displaying exceptional oratory skills, Il-Raz became COMPOR's primary spokesperson at a relatively young age. Established during the midst of the destructive Clone Wars, the Commission for the Protection of the Republic was a group of volunteers dedicated to supporting Chancellor Palpatine through various means, including rallies, resource drives, and profitable ventures. A fervent patriot, Il-Raz remained steadfast when Chancellor Palpatine dissolved the Republic and established the first Galactic Empire, declaring himself the Galactic Emperor. COMPOR was then reorganized and renamed as the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order, with the goal of institutionalizing discrimination and promoting Human High Culture, primarily through propaganda. Il-Raz played a crucial role in the creation of COMPNOR, spearheading many of its foundational concepts.
Il-Raz served as the main speaker at COMPNOR's inaugural rally on Imperial Center after the Empire's formation. Addressing the assembled crowds at the Glitannai Esplanade, he declared that COMPNOR would guide the Empire into an era of prosperity lasting a millennium, and he urged Imperial citizens to volunteer and join the Commission, warning that those who did not would face ostracism. Although Palpatine himself did not attend, he dispatched his advisor, Crueya Vandron, to observe. The Emperor was impressed by Il-Raz's dedication to the New Order and continued to monitor him for years.
Il-Raz continued his service to COMPNOR, earning a reputation as a devoted follower of Palpatine and the Empire. His political advancement caught Palpatine's attention, and despite Il-Raz's complete lack of military experience, he was among the twelve Grand Admirals appointed by Palpatine two years prior to the Battle of Yavin. This rank was a new creation by Palpatine to reward his most loyal servants, including Josef Grunger, Octavian Grant, Rufaan Tigellinus, and Demetrius Zaarin. Lacking any martial talents, he felt isolated among his more capable peers. He soon became head of COMPNOR's Select Committee, influencing numerous recruitment drives following COMPNOR's founding.
Consequently, Il-Raz's appointment, along with others, faced criticism after the rank's creation. Many argued that Palpatine lacked military insight and that such important appointments should be reserved for those with genuine warfare experience. Palpatine's critics often pointed to Ishin-Il-Raz as the weakest and least talented of the Grand Admirals. However, no one openly criticized the Emperor, and Il-Raz retained his position, fully aware that it was a political appointment based on his work with COMPNOR.
Although Il-Raz knew the reasons behind his Grand Admiral appointment, he aimed to prove his worth to Palpatine. He began to idolize Palpatine, and his military actions were designed to gain the Emperor's favor. To this end, he committed atrocities such as the massacre of Myomar and the bombardment of the planet Shalam. While these genocides earned him respect from some, he was often associated with criminals like the Devaronian war criminal Kardue'sai'Malloc. Despite being one of Palpatine's least popular Grand Admirals, Il-Raz's position remained secure until the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY.
The Battle of Endor was disastrous for the Empire. Palpatine and Darth Vader were killed aboard the second Death Star, plunging the Empire into chaos. The Death Star's destruction by the Alliance to Restore the Republic claimed the lives of many high-ranking Imperials, including Grand Admiral Nial Declann. While his colleagues became warlords and fought over territory, Ishin-Il-Raz became depressed, realizing that his lofty position was due to Emperor Palpatine, who was now gone. He knew his career was ruined and that he couldn't compete with the other Grand Admirals.
Visibly upset by his idol's death and fearing the loss of his career, Il-Raz's mental state deteriorated, leading him to launch attacks on random Outer Rim worlds. Most ignored him, seeing him as no threat, though Peccati Syn lent him Secrets of the Dark Side, the sacred text of the Church of the Dark Side, hoping to alleviate his depression. Syn's efforts failed, and Il-Raz became increasingly unstable, ultimately deciding on suicide. Eight months after Palpatine's death, Ishin-Il-Raz took command of his Star Destroyer, Emperor's Disciple, and flew it into the Denarii Nova, killing the entire crew and many others. Over thirty-seven thousand lives were lost, including his own. Ishin-Il-Raz died chanting the ideals of the Select Committee, to which he had dedicated his life.
Il-Raz had black hair, green eyes, and tan skin. He was deeply devoted to the Imperial cause, serving his superiors with unwavering loyalty. His devotion to the Emperor was so profound that Palpatine's death left him without purpose. Il-Raz was intelligent and aware of his limitations, knowing he lacked the tactical skills of his peers. Early in his life, he was a strong leader and talented public speaker, known for his fierce politics. However, after his unprecedented appointment in 1 BBY, he was seen as an outcast rather than a leader.
As a COMPNOR creator, Il-Raz supported Human High Culture and Imperial rule through dictatorship. He readily committed mass killings to further his goals, disregarding the lives of others, especially non-Humans. On his orders, thousands were killed to impress Palpatine. During his COMPNOR days, Ishin used propaganda and fear-mongering to maintain the population's loyalty. After the Battle of Endor, Il-Raz became mentally unstable and unable to cope with Palpatine's death. Paranoia about losing his position led him to suicide, clinging to his beloved Empire's ideals until the end.
Ishin-Il-Raz was created by Daniel Wallace for The Essential Chronology in 2000. Wallace expanded Il-Raz's backstory in "Who's Who: Imperial Grand Admirals," in Star Wars Insider 66, with Abel G. Peña making minor adjustments. Il-Raz later appeared in a HoloNet news article in Star Wars Insider 84, written by Daniel Wallace and Pablo Hidalgo. Joe Corroney illustrated Ishin-Il-Raz in both Insider articles, basing his renderings on Maikel Das, a contributor for the Official German Star Wars Fan Club magazine.
The Who's Who: Imperial Grand Admirals article in Insider 66 was originally intended for Star Wars Gamer, but appeared in Insider when the magazine was discontinued. The original Gamer article, titled Dirty Dozen: The Imperial Grand Admirals, stated that Il-Raz began studying naval tactics after realizing he was loathed, making him slightly more competent. Unlike other Grand Admirals, Il-Raz's Insider biography differed little from the original Gamer version.