The Izvoshra were an esteemed group of Kaleesh fighters who acted as the dedicated protectors for the Kaleesh commander Qymaen jai Sheelal, who would later become Grievous. They were native to the planet of Kalee. These loyal companions were always by his side, sharing in both his past triumphs and his passion for combat.
The Izvoshra comprised an elite team of Kaleesh soldiers and bodyguards who consistently accompanied their military leader, Grievous.
Throughout the years, the Izvoshra, considered Kalee's finest warriors, served and fought under Qymaen jai Sheelal, their commander who later became Grievous. They formed his elite bodyguard, with each member acting as a khan in charge of their own forces. Grievous's increased intensity and resolve fueled the Kaleesh forces in a brutal war against the Yam'rii. Eventually, the Kaleesh drove the Yam'rii off their planet and initiated a series of disastrous campaigns on the desolate world of Huk. However, the Yam'rii unexpectedly sought assistance from the Galactic Republic. Consequently, the Republic and the Jedi intervened, siding with the Yam'rii, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Kaleesh due to starvation.
When Grievous enlisted with the InterGalactic Banking Clan as an enforcer, the Izvoshra were forbidden from joining him. Although he requested their presence, his request was denied, and they were replaced by the IGBC's army. Grievous then requested a more intelligent bodyguard, leading Count Dooku, an IGBC ally, to order the creation of the IG-100 MagnaGuard droids. Grievous quickly became a valuable asset to the IGBC through his actions. His exploits captured the attention of both Count Dooku and his Sith Master Darth Sidious, who had significant plans for him. Eventually, their commander was critically injured in a ship crash that nearly killed him, and he was offered a life-saving operation.
After undergoing cybernetic enhancements and becoming the General of the Droid Armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, Grievous replaced his elite group of warriors and bodyguards with the droid warriors known as IG-100 MagnaGuards. These droids would follow his orders with even greater obedience than his previous followers. He personally instructed them in all his knowledge. In a similar way to how his facemask honored his Kaleesh warrior heritage, he instructed the MagnaGuards to wear cloaks and half-hoods with mumuu markings, as a tribute to his original Izvoshra bodyguards. This also served as a nod to the traditions of the general's homeworld.
The Izvoshra were initially mentioned in Star Wars canon within "Battle Droids and Other Droids of War," a booklet from the Star Wars Encyclopedia series published by Altaya on July 27, 2021. Within Star Wars Legends, the Izvoshra made their debut in "The Eyes of Revolution," a comic penned and illustrated by Warren Fu, featured in the Dark Horse Comics anthology Star Wars: Visionaries, which was released on April 2, 2005. They were first identified as the Izvoshra in the Wizards of the Coast sourcebook Galaxy at War, a hardcover addition to the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook series, launched on September 15, 2009.
- Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: Build Your Own R2-D2 57 (Droid Directory: IG-100 MagnaGuards) (First mentioned) (Indirect mention only)
- " Battle Droids and Other Droids of War " — Star Wars Encyclopedia (First identified as Izvoshra)
- Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition (Indirect mention only)
- " The Separatists " — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars Starships & Vehicles 55 (History of the Ship: Grievous' Wheel Bike) (Indirect mention only)