Founders
The Founders are the entity in Bomtown credited with authority over the Institution.
The Founders’ position in the societal hierarchy is evident early on: the captain of the Wilderness expedition promises the Founder will reward the tenacity of a wounded Keeper.
Later, the Keeper captain and Maker exchange a call-and-response, demonstrating their quasi-religious reverence for the Founders:
Keeper: “Founders’ eyes watch us.”Maker: “Watch us all.”
As Ricky collects his thoughts before printing his pamphlet, he thinks, “I know there are others who reject the Founders and their institution.” Despite the reverence shown by the Officers, there is some ill will toward the Founders in the city - or at least in the Annex.
When Ricky tells Hank that his pamphlet signals an impending revolution in the city, he identifies the slumlords, the wall, and the Institution itself as targets. He does not name the Founders.