The Loag During the time of the Old Republic, the Loag, a group of assassins, held the planet Merisee under their oppressive control. It seems that six Jedi eradicated them after a year-long struggle. During the violent removal of the cult, three Jedi lost their lives. Following this campaign, the Jedi secured the Loag Dagger, the very object upon which the assassins had sworn their blood oaths, and entrusted it to the Galactic Museum located on Coruscant.
During the Imperial era, the Loag resurfaced on Merisee. Their activities, though concealed from the average Merisee citizen, had a broad impact across the planet. Near a land bridge, the Loag maintained a clandestine stronghold within a dormant volcano that had been hollowed out.
Establishing contact with the Loag proved exceptionally challenging. Any public exposure of their existence would have prompted swift action from either Merisee's government or the Empire to eliminate them. The Loag cult accepted contracts from a diverse array of clients, including crime lords, dissatisfied governments, and even Imperial officers and dignitaries seeking to silence individuals. Throughout the galaxy, the Loag cult relied on numerous devoted informants to connect them with potential employers. Those informants who dared to betray the Loag invariably met their demise at the hands of Loag assassins. Even the informants themselves were unaware of when they were under surveillance. Although assassination fees were substantial (with the lowest known fee being 5,000 credits), the Loag were renowned for their ability to successfully complete their assignments.
Loag assassins attack Mikos Argdran.
During the Imperial era, the Loag experienced an internal conflict for dominance. The larger contingent prioritized maintaining the Loag's anonymity, heeding the lessons of the past and believing that any move for power was premature. Their focus was on conducting business, primarily off-world, and safeguarding their interests.
Conversely, a smaller faction, representing approximately five percent of the Loag but led by highly charismatic figures, advocated for greater visibility and the exertion of power and influence over Merisee's affairs. They were prepared to take matters into their own hands if they perceived any threat to the Loag. Furthermore, they were confident that the Empire would not suppress their power grab if they pledged allegiance to the Empire and the sector Moff, who held the virtually invisible and ineffective governor of Merisee, Branff Miro, in open contempt.
As late as 11 ABY, the Loag remained active, coinciding with the discovery that the Loag Dagger had gone missing on Coruscant.