Triarchs

The Harrom-el are the founding and ruling species of Compact of Species. They are the highest authority within the Compact.

Description
Triarchs are taller than a Tribune. Their eyes are described as black or yellow, they have pale white skin, and are likely very thin, with hands described as "skeletal" and "slender," and tipped with claws. Their mouths are full of long, sharp teeth. Triarchs appear to be genderless, referred to as "it" instead of other pronouns.

Triarchs prefer dark, humid, and warm environments, oppressively so to most other species.

Most toxins are less effective against Triarchs than they are against all other species, even Tribunes. The Triarch within the Redemption of Sol lasted several minutes in an atmosphere poisoned by Echo.

They have long lifespans, some living up to thousands of years.

History
Little is known about prehistoric Harrom-el. They presumably evolved on Foundation One, and developed a planet wide civilization. When they created the radio, they discovered two races relatively close by interstellar standards, the Sandarans and the Thricin.

The Harrom-el founded the Compact of Species alongside the Sandarans and Thricin. Together, they explored and expanded their civilizations across many star systems. As the Compact expanded, they faced multiple alien nations, and brought them into the Compact as well. The Thricin became the Devoured early in the Compact's history, and not long after the Great Betrayal took place, leading to the extinction of both the Thricin and the Sandarans. As the sole remaining founder, the Triarchs became the ultimate authority of the entire Compact, and the major force behind its actions.

Culture
Triarchs are rarely seen outside of Chariots, which they use as personal vehicles to impart the Compact's will. Those that interact with citizens of the Compact outside of Foundation take temporary names instead of using their true names. Consequentially, very little of Triarch culture is known outside of Compact propaganda. They are described as "pragmatists" alongside the "optimists" and "dreamers" by the Triarch within the Redemption of Sol, implying that their actions throughout their history are seen as working toward a "greater good" or were necessary for survival.

As depicted in Compact propaganda, Triarchs are the oldest and wisest still surviving organic race in the galaxy. As such, they are the most well equipped to shepherd new races into true civilization. Within the Compact, a Triarch's word might as well be gospel. While their political power is immense, Triarchs are depicted more as saint-like figures than true deities. In doing so, they are allowed to make mistakes and become martyr figures killed by species with racial madness.

It is likely that Triarch culture currently is aligned with the policies of the Compact. Whether they truly believe their path is righteous or if their motivation is for selfish survival is unknown. Triarch civilians, if they even exist, have not been introduced.