The Triarch was the ruling council of the Necrontyr Infinite Empire, a trio of Phaerons who governed every dynasty. Today it’s tied to the Silent King, Szarekh, and his push to unify the Necrons.
What the Triarch was
Before the Necrontyr became the Necrons, the Triarch sat at the top of their Infinite Empire. Three Phaerons made up the council, and the rulers of individual dynasties answered to them.
The head of the Triarch was the Silent King, named because he only spoke to his subjects through the other two Phaerons. It was meant to be a hereditary title, but Necrontyr lives were short, so it passed between royal dynasties many times. The last Silent King was Szarekh.
- Three Phaerons formed the council, with the Silent King as its head.
- Dynasty rulers were governed by the Triarch.
- The Silent King’s words reached the empire only through the other two Triarchs.
Why the Triarch mattered
The Triarch’s job was holding the Necrontyr together. Wars of Secession kept tearing at the empire, and the council looked for ways to unify their people again, whether through a common enemy like the Old Ones or the promise of immortality from the C’tan.
During the war against the C’tan, the two Triarchs beside Szarekh were killed. In the Age of the Dark Imperium, Szarekh re-established the Triarch with Hapthatra the Radiant and Mesophet the Shadowed Hand. When the three go to war, they ride the Dais of Dominion.
Triarch Praetorians
The Triarch’s agents and protectors are the Triarch Praetorians. They’re the only Necrons who stayed awake through the long hibernation after the War in Heaven, choosing to forsake sleep as penance and preserve what they could of their culture.
They answer to the ancient codes rather than any dynasty. Their authority sits outside normal Necron politics, and they can force their will on anyone who breaks the old edicts, even a Phaeron. While waiting for their brethren to wake, many posed as gods on primitive worlds, shaping cultures to fit Necrontyr ideals.
- They carry the Rod of Covenant, particle casters, and voidblades.
- Gravity displacement packs let them hover over a battle before striking.
- A host is assigned to every awakened tomb world to keep the codes upheld.
- They helped create the Awakened Council to settle disputes between early risers.
The Triarch in the 41st millennium
By late M41 the Praetorians had pledged themselves to the returned Silent King. Their goal now is unifying the Necrons against the Tyranid threat, and they’ll track down tomb worlds to make sure the old codes are followed once more.
A commander who finds a Praetorian host meddling in his battle may be frustrated, but only the boldest would openly challenge their edict.
Key facts
- The Triarch was the ruling council of the Necrontyr Infinite Empire, made up of three Phaerons.
- The Silent King led the Triarch and spoke only through the other two members.
- Szarekh was the last Silent King of the original Triarch.
- The other two original Triarchs died during the war against the C’tan.
- Szarekh re-established the Triarch with Hapthatra the Radiant and Mesophet the Shadowed Hand.
- Triarch Praetorians are the Triarch’s agents, the only Necrons who never hibernated.
FAQ
Who leads the Triarch?
The Silent King heads it. Szarekh was the last Silent King of the original Triarch, and he later re-established it with Hapthatra the Radiant and Mesophet the Shadowed Hand.
What are Triarch Praetorians?
They’re the Triarch’s former bodyguards and agents, now rapid-assault infantry who enforce the ancient codes. They stayed awake through the Necron hibernation and later pledged to Szarekh.
Do Triarch Praetorians answer to a Phaeron?
No. They sit outside the political structure and can impose their will on anyone who breaks the old edicts, even a Phaeron, though a commander might resent their interference.