Mistryl Shadow Guard

Three years before its destruction, Emberlene used its might and wealth to conquer its neighbors. They subjugated dozens of worlds in their sector, plundering their wealth, and destroyed anything of value that they couldn't take with them.

The remaining planets in the sector decided that they could not stand idly by and wait for the armies of Emberlene to crush them underfoot. Pooling their resources, the governments of these worlds hired a mercenary army to fight for them. The mercenaries struck hard and fast, devastating Emberlene's forces and reducing the planet's infrastructure to rubble. Ensuing firestorms and air strikes against populated areas effectively ended the Emberlene threat, reducing its people to abject poverty.

In the years after their destruction and partial reconstruction, the Eleven Elders decided to create a lie from this disaster. From a young age, the citizens of Emberlene were taught that many years ago, while the Galactic Empire was still young and early resistance had not been crushed, Emperor Palpatine ordered the destruction of Emberlene as an example to all. Emberlene had been a rich planet, full of splendor and beauty, and had made it apparent that they were ruled by no one but themselves. Fearing the planet's growing power and prestige, the Emperor sent his forces to destroy Emberlene as an example to those who thought they could escape the rule of the Empire. This lie was created to instill a sense of loyalty and pride in the people of Emberlene, as well as a false sense of duty amongst the Mistryl.

Since then, the Mistryl hired themselves out as mercenaries, to earn enough money to support the millions of refugees left after the planet's destruction, and loathing the Empire's role in the disaster.

At some point, Loruna Scathe left the Shadow Guard and formed a rival organization, the Azure Cabal, that competed with Mistryl Shadow Guard for contracts.

Shadow Guards were sometimes employed by the Smugglers' Alliance, and in 11 ABY, two of them helped the Alliance take control of the Spice Mines of Kessel and later fought against the Death Star prototype when it attempted to blow up the planet.

The Shadow Guard typically operated in small teams led by a commander known as the Team Prime. In 0 BBY, the team led by Manda D'ulin consisted of six warriors, including herself, Karoly D'ulin, Pav D'armon, Shada D'ukal, Sileen and Cai, together with two heavy starfighters, Skyclaw and Mirage.

If a larger force was required, several teams could be called in—for example, Team Prime D'ulin planned to assemble a force of twelve ships to escort the Hammertong convoy. On the other hand, Mistryl sometimes traveled as master-and-apprentice pairs, and individual warriors could be contracted out long-term as bodyguards. After the breakup of Manda D'ulin's team, Shada D'ukal traveled the galaxy with trainee Dunc T'racen aboard the freighter The Fury, before becoming Mazzic's bodyguard, a position she held from at least 9 ABY until she left the Shadow Guard to become Talon Karrde's lieutenant in 19 ABY.

True to their mythos that Emberlene had been ravaged by Imperial forces, the Mistryl claimed that they never worked for the New Order, although when that loathing got in the way of a job, they often forgot this animosity, either through convenience or necessity.

While the Guard were deadly at any time, the Shadow Guard were especially adept at close-quarters combat. They were well trained in martial arts, and had extensive weapons training as well. They were trained to use hold-out blasters and vibroblades, and were also educated in the use of more exotic weapons such as , shock whips, and zenji needles.

The Mistryl were legendary for their stealth and ability to remain unnoticed at all times. They had access to a huge database of profiles of galactic citizens. When needed, a guard could quickly use one of these and assume that person's identity in order to either get close to a target or get away from an area.

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