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Sources: Rassilon, Omega and That Other Guy TARDIS Index File
Run by chinquix
aka The Yssgaroth*
The Great Vampires were enemies of the Time Lords during the Dark Times, and fought against them in the First Great Time War. They originated in a different universe, and Time Lords told stories of them in order to frighten children - in some cases, even adult Time Lords themselves would find the idea of Vampires in the Citadel a terrifying prospect. There was a cult of Time Lords that believed Rassilon to be a Great Vampire.
APPEARANCE & ABILITIES
The Great Vampires were huge creatures. They resembled grey-skinned, winged humanoids, though some individuals were also described as being snake-like. Due to their immense size and their hunger for blood, they were known to eradicate entire planets in order to satisfy their thirst, and could also absorb other forms of energy. In order to be killed, a steel bolt had to be plunged through the heart. Their blood was infectious, and induced a desire for destruction.
THE WAR
Time Lords began to hunt the Vampires using Bowships, warships equipped with apparatus for firing steel bolts. This conflict escalated into the 1000-year long First Great Time War (or Eternal War). Kopyion Liall a Mahajetsu eventually succeeded in trapping the Vampires in their own universe, but though the Time lords were victorious, they had experienced considerable loss of life - billions had been killed.
The leader of the Yssgaroth, the King Vampire, escaped into E-Space after his defeat. It wasn’t until several centuries later that he was finally destroyed. He had claimed that the Great Vampires were in fact a peaceful race, and it was Rassilon who had hunted them mercilessly. It is unknown how much of this account is true.
*it’s not entirely known whether or not the Yssgaroth and the Great Vampires are one and the same, but they’re certainly very similar
from: State of Decay; The Infinite Quest; Zagreus (Big Finish Audio); The Pit (Novel); Faction Paradox: The Book of the War
The Bureau of Ancient Records was an extensive library that housed all of Gallifrey’s most important documents, dating from as far back as the Dark Times. President Romanadvoratrelundar worked there in her youth.
from: State of Decay
I’m really sorry to bother you all with something unrelated to Gallifrey, but a friend of mine needs people to fill out a survey, and I’d very much appreciate it if you could help.
I promise this’ll be the only time I post something like this!
Thank you very much!
Due to his position as one of the most influential figures in Gallifreyan history, Rassilon left behind several objects and items bearing his name. Many of these appeared to have little practical use.
PHYSICAL OBJECTS
- Coronet of Rassilon
- enabled the wearer to control the will of others. from: The Five Doctors
- Crown of Rassilon
- enabled the wearer to gain access to the Matrix. from: The Invasion of Time; Arc of Infinity; Imperiatrix (Big Finish Audio - Gallifrey)
- Great Key of Rassilon
- kept in the possession of the Chancellor at all times. It activated the De-Mat Gun, a forbidden weapon, and could also seal the Medusa Cascade. It was presumably the item used by the Doctor in order to end the Last Great Time War. from: The Invasion of Time; The Forgotten (comic); Don’t Step on the Grass (comic)
- Harp of Rassilon
- when played, it revealed a secret door into a chamber containing the Time Scoop controls. from: The Five Doctors
- Key of Rassilon
- granted access to the Matrix. from: The Ultimate Foe; Destiny of the Doctors (video game)
- Rassilon’s Gauntlet
- a weapon that disintegrated its victims. from: The End of Time
- Ring of Rassilon
- granted the wearer immortality by turning them to stone. from: The Five Doctors; Zagreus (Big Finish Audio)
- Rod of Rassilon
- granted to all new Presidents, along with the Sash and Crown. from: The Deadly Assassin; Invasion of Time
- Sash of Rassilon
- protected the wearer from the forces of the Eye of Harmony, to an extent. Time Lords viewed it as sacred, and would bow to it. from: The Deadly Assassin; The Invasion of Time
BOOKS/SCROLLS
- Black Scrolls of Rassilon
- forbidden documents containing information from the Dark Times. from: The Five Doctors; The Quantum Archangel (novel)
- Book of Rassilon
- a religious text. The first line starts “In the beginning…”. from: Cat’s Cradle-Witch Mark (Virgin New Adventures novel)
- Lost Scrolls of Rassilon
- said to be vital in a mission to save Gallifrey. from: The Gallifrey Chronicles (novel)
- Record of Rassilon
- a document containing information on how to kill the King Vampire, installed in ever Type 40 TARDIS. from: State of Decay
OTHER
- Mind of Rassilon
- Profane Virus of Rassilon
- a nanovirus designed to destroy any technology originating from Gallifrey, should it fall into alien hands. from: The Quantum Archangel (novel)
- Rassilon’s Foundry
- an ancient, dimensionally transcendental fortress where Rassilon conducted his experiments, serving as his TARDIS. The Divergence was trapped within it. from: Zagreus (Big Finish Audio); The Next Life (Big Finish Audio)
- Rassilon’s Lament
- a piece of music, the notes for which were illustrated on a painting in the Capitol. from: The Five Doctors; Blood Harvest (Virgin New Adventures novel)
- Seal of Rassilon
- symbolised power, and could supposedly ward off evil. It appeared on most Gallifreyan robes, books, shrines etc.
- Tomb of Rassilon
- the centre of the Death Zone, a tower with three entrances. Various traps and puzzles protected the crypt where Rassilon’s physical remains were buried. from: The Five Doctors
Once again, thanks a lot to all of you!
I’d like to do something to celebrate, but I’ve no idea what, so any suggestions would be welcome.
And one final thing - if there’s ever something specific you’d like to see here or read about, please don’t hesitate to ask for it. It looks like the Doctor’s life on Gallifrey is a popular theme, so I’ll start writing up some posts about that.
If I could just ask for a quick (metaphorical) show of hands - how many of you would be interested in posts about the Doctor’s life on Gallifrey?
Kopyion Liall a Mahajetsu was a legendary Hero of ancient Gallifrey.
His role during the Eternal War against the Yssgaroth (Great Vampires) earnt him great respect, and he was acknowledged as one of Gallifrey’s greatest generals. After the War, he was tasked with preventing the Yssgaroth from escaping their universe again. He achieved this by trapping them on one of the Seven Planets, which he had constructed himself. He had only one arm, presumably having lost the other in battle.
from: The Pit (Virgin New Adventures novel)
I would love individual sources, just where applicable.
Alright - whenever I can trace the source, I’ll make sure to provide it! Unfortunately that could prove to be a little difficult, as the TARDIS Index File is the only site I know of that gives direct sources, but I’ll do what I can.
