The title of Warlord of the Empire was a purely honorific designation bestowed by Emperor Palpatine upon a carefully chosen group of Imperial military officers. This group primarily consisted of Grand Admirals, Grand Generals, and Grand Moffs, although the Warlord title technically held a superior position. Much like the starfighter designations of Tan and Baron of the Empire, the title of Warlord commanded respect only from the most devoted and capable members of the Empire's armed forces. It was specifically granted to those Imperial officers who demonstrated a pronounced combination of ruthless efficiency and innovative thinking. These individuals were not only known for consistently achieving what seemed impossible but also for doing so with unmatched panache. Unlike standard military ranks, Warlords of the Empire were not associated with a specific code cylinder or rank plaque, as their authority transcended the boundaries between different branches of the Imperial Military, thus earning them widespread deference. It is believed that the rank was created as an homage to the title given to those holding the rank of generalissimi in the ancient Atrisian Empire. Before the Empire's decisive loss at Endor, this title was regarded as one of the greatest distinctions the Empire could confer upon its soldiers.
Zsinj holds the distinction of being the first officer to receive this honor, followed by Pashna Starkiller and Thrawn.
Following the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY and the subsequent collapse of the Empire due to the Emperor's death, the term was shortened to simply Warlord. It became a loosely applied label for various unscrupulous military figures, as numerous ambitious officers seized the title in the power vacuum. These included minor figures like Inos Fonada and Walang Grazz, second-rate replacements like Bliss Shargael and Jmanuel Tethys, power-hungry individuals like Admiral Blitzer Harrsk, fanatical nationalists like Supreme Commander Ennix Devian, and extreme sadists like Delak Krennel.