A vast galactic empire that encompasses hundreds of star systems, the Realm, one of the three major empires of its galaxy, has been around for over 2000 years, uniting its member worlds under common law. Worlds can choose to be a part of it or not, but the trade opportunities and other benefits (such as protection, support, and a say in political matters) make it an easy choice for most worlds...but not all. Those choosing to abstain from membership are not treated as enemies, but are generally looked upon unfavorably the Realm as a whole.

The Realm Empire is a peaceful one, but understands that peace comes through strength, so it has a massive fleet of warships (known as Realmships) and an ever-growing army made up of races from all the member worlds. This military mindset is mostly due to differences with the two other empires, the Harcor and Garen empires. The Harcor are the closest (their empire being made up mostly of the war-like Harcorian race, but encompassing other races as well), and while there is a continually tenuous peace, they and the Realm have been at war a number of times over the centuries, wars fought over territory, resources and ideology. The mysterious Garen empire is further away, but arguably the greater threat, as they are an expansionist and xenophobic race that thrives on conquest and makes use of "the mystic", or magics, and delves into the dark, secret things of the universe. And unlike the Harcor empire, they have no diplomatic relations with the Realm.

The ruler of the Realm is know as the Realmsovereign, though he oversees a group vast councils with members from all Realm worlds. There are three levels of the councils--the Realm Council, made up of ambassadors from all Realm worlds; the High Council, a large but less crowded council of ascended ambassodors; and the Grand Council, a group of thirty dignataries that answer directly to the Sovereign and have the most power in matter of Realm law and politics. The current Realmsovereign is Xarmun Reh, a M'qarian who has served for the past thirty years after being appointed following the death of his father, the former Sovereign. A Realmsovereign serves for life, and is nominated by the High Council and approved by the Grand Council. Xarmun Reh's appointment was near-unanimous, as his father was well-loved in the Empire, and he has continued the tradition of wisdom and justice.

It was he who first established the Realmwatch, wanting a personal, elite guard of extraordinary warriors answering directly to him. He searched the empire for individuals of exceptional ability and character, and found a group, forming them into a team, initially meant as bodyguards, but who soon grew into something much more. They became a symbol of the strength and dignity of the Realm, and soon he began sending them on missions of great import, be they military, rescue or diplomatic. They became loved by an Empire that is continuously fascinated with them, and have become the pride of the Realm.

Depending on the time and situation, the Realmwatch--made up of Blue Victor, Galaxia, Legionon, Chosen, Sun Kin, Traveler and Meta4--is either based on the Realm Throneworld or one of the flagships of the Realm Fleet. They each hold the rank of Realm Commander, and are answerable only to the Realmsovereign himself. They can take ships or troops under their command at any time if the need arises. They have all proven themselves again and again as heroes and defenders of the Realm--saving lives, stopping threats from within and outside of the Empire, and have become legends across interstellar space. While they are embraced by most, there are some (mostly on non-Realm worlds within the Empire's borders) who see them as enforcers for an oppressive ruler and a very powerful threat.

The Realmwatch first visited a far-off planet called Earth when an escaped group of very powerful criminals known as the Deviators ended up there after a teleportation malfunction. The 'Watch was able to trace and follow them there, just in time to intervene as the Deviators battled a foursome of Earth heroes called "Forte" (see Forte 2000 #63). Forte and the 'Watch joined forces to defeat the Deviators, and parted as friends and allies as the 'Watch returned to their own galaxy. The Realmsovereign was captivated with tales of these heroes and their world. When the Deviators managed to escape again and recreate the teleportation accident, returning to Earth to overthrow it (see Forte 2000 #145), the Realmwatch followed, only to find that Forte, with four new members added to its ranks, had defeated the villains themselves, a feat that would have been a challenge for the 'Watch itself. Tales of this spread across the Realm, fueled by the Realmsovereign's obsession with the Earth heroes, and flagship of the Realm fleet was renamed "The Forte". When an Earth villain secretly manipulated the Realm and Harcor empires into a pending war (see Forte Chronicles #1: Into the Realm), current Forte member Dyna Girl--along with earlier Forte members Anvil, Lightsedge and Tomarssuk--thwarted his plans and stopped the war, becoming heroes of the Realm and legends thereafter. These four Forte heroes were made honorary Realm citizens, made members of the Realmwatch, and were given Realm Commander rank in appreciation of their deeds.

Though separated by countless light years, The Realmwatch and Forte seem to keep encountering each other, and become stronger allies with each new meeting. Friendships (and perhaps more) have already started forming between them.