The title of Warlord of the Empire was a ceremonial title appointed by Emperor Palpatine to a select few Imperial military officers, primarily Grand Admirals, Grand Generals, and Grand Moffs, although the rank itself was technically higher than these ranks. Similar to the starfighter titles of Tan and Baron of the Empire, Warlord was only recognized by the most skilled and loyal soldiers of the Empire. The title was presented specifically to those Imperial officers who had a particular expressed interest in both ruthlessness and creativity, and were considered to not only repeatedly redefine the impossible, but to do so with inimitable panache. Unlike other standard military ranks, Warlords of the Empire did not have an assigned code cylinder or rank plaque, as it transcended distinctions