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Character File - The Deca
redstarsatnight has requested that I tell you about the Deca, and their relationships with the Doctor. I don't know why, but when she says jump, I say how high. Here's the information I've been able to gather about the renegade Time Lords known during their youth as The Deca.

The Deca was a group of ten students at the Prydonian Chapter of the Time Lord Academy on Gallifrey. The Prydon Chapter produced the most successful, powerful Time Lords out of all the chapters at the Academy. The Deca were therefore the best of the best. They held the top places in their classes; they were the pride and joy of their teachers. Eventually, however, the majority of the Deca - all highly intelligent, creative and independent potential Time Lords - became renegades from Gallifreyan society.

The Deca consisted of:

Theta Sigma (the Doctor)

Koschei (the Master)

Rallon (the Celestial Toymaker's host)

Mortimus (the Monk)

Magnus (the War Chief)

Ushas (the Rani)

Drax

Jelpax

Vansell

Millennia

Theta Sigma

Personal Background: Theta Sigma's real name is unknown, even by his classmates. He became known as the Doctor upon leaving the Academy. His House is that of Lungbarrow. This Time Lord-to-be was nicknamed Thete, Theta and Theta Sigma. Later in life, he refused to be called by these nicknames. Theta's speciality at the Academy was history, particularly of Earth, but it has been noted that he excelled in landscape gardening. Conversely, Theta failed miserably the subjects of Time Lord Philosophy, Temporal Theory, Practical Theology and Officiating and Legislating. It has been propsed that Theta deliberately failed these subjects in order to escape Gallifrey's strict society.

Relationships Within the Deca: Theta became friends with Koschei and Magnus on their first day at the Academy, brought together by their desire for knowledge. Theta lived in the Academy dormitory (his home in South Gallifrey being too far away to travel from), and was mentored by Rallon, who also lived in the dormitory. Theta's interest in history was shared by Mortimus. Drax and Theta became friends because of their interest in the techical arts. It is possible that it was Theta who brought the Deca together, as he has outside connections with the majority of them.

Leaving Gallifrey: Suspensions from the Time Lord Academy were commonplace for Theta, and he slowly became angered at the Time Lords' refusal to ever change. He convinced the Deca to help him hack into the Time Lords' information database so they could find something to investigate to prove to the elder Time Lords that change was possible. They discover the existence of a being called the Celestial Toymaker(2). Theta, Rallon - who was a junior Time Lord already in his second incarnation and thus able to pilot a TARDIS - and Rallon's lover Millennia 'borrowed' a Type 18 TARDIS to try and find the Celestial Toymaker. The three were captured by the Toymaker, who was a being from an alternate universe, and were made to play his games. Millennia lost and was re-created into one of the Toymaker's living marionette dolls. Rallon was taken by the Toymaker to be the entity's new host body, as the Toymaker saw the appeal of a durable Time Lord body. Theta escaped the Toymaker only through cheating at the games; the Toymaker let Theta return to Gallifrey, seeing in him the potential of a great opponent one day. Theta returned to the Time Lord Academy in disgrace, without Rallon or Millennia, and the Time Lords expelled him from the Academy. They gave him the option of spending five hundred years in public service, studying for readmission to the Academy. Theta took part in this for a while, but eventually fled Gallifrey to travel the universe in a 'borrowed' Type 40 TARDIS.

Notable Moments: The Doctor, as he became known after fleeing Gallifrey, is now more than twelve hundred years old, and is on his tenth incarnation. Notable moments during his lifetime include marriage (partner unknown), fatherhood (several children, unknown, one asexually reproduced daughter, "Jenny") and grandfatherhood (one granddaughter, "Susan"), receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3), successfully retarding the Daleks' evolution by several millennia, defeat of numerous enemies and restoration of harmony on many planets, being put on Trial for illegally intervening with the history of certain planets and races, being nominated as Time's Champion, meeting various universally-famous personages, several commendations from the Time Lord Council, participation in the Last Great Time War (known actions include defending Arcadia and the Capitol), mass genocide of the Time Lords and Daleks, survival of the Last Great Time War, spreading the Shadow Proclamation across the universe, recovery of the twenty-seven Lost Planets.

Koschei

Personal Background: Koschei became known as the Master upon leaving the Academy. He was of the House of Oakdown. Koschei's speciality at the Academy was cosmic science, but he also had an affinity for biochemistry and hypnotism. He failed no subjects at the Academy, and managed to stay out of trouble; still, he dropped out of the Academy at some point and left Gallifrey to travel the universe.

Relationships Within the Deca: Koschei became friends with Theta Sigma and Magnus on their first day at the Academy. He and Theta Sigma were especially close; Koschei taught Theta elementary hypnotism so they could access the Matrix(1). Koschei envied Magnus' charisma and commanding personality. Koschei knew Ushas through their joint interest in biochemistry - he admired her competence in this area and it may have been through his recommendation that Ushas joined the Deca.

Leaving Gallifrey: After Theta Sigma's expulsion from the Academy, Koschei, too, dropped out. However, he was too late to catch Theta before he left. This soured their friendship somewhat; they did not meet again until two hundred years had passed. Koschei did receieve his Rassilon Imprimateur(3) despite not graduating the Academy. It is suspected that Theta's favourite teacher, Azmael, may have had something to do with both Koschei and Theta receiving their Imprimateurs. Koschei left Gallifrey as soon as he had his Imprimateur and set out to explore the universe, and soon became known as the Master, possibly only after he went insane.

Notable Moments: Koschei went through three regeneration cycles; his own, then two more awarded to him by the Time Lord Council. He was on the last incarnation of his third cycle when he was killed for the final time. Notable moments during his lifetime included receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3), being nominated as Death's Champion, investigating the Dark Heart for the Time Lord Council, apparently went crazy after the loss of his assistant Ailla, fought against the Time Lords (and his old friend Theta Sigma in particular) on many occasions, completed a regeneration cycle and died, was given a new regeneration cycle by the Time Lord Council in order to help Theta Sigma, completed that cycle as well and died, interred on Skaro, resurrected by the Time Lords to fight in the Time War, fought in the Time War (defended the Cruciform), fled from the Time War, used his TARDIS' chameleon arch to disguise himself as a human and lived a life at the end of the universe, tried to take over Earth, died for the final time.

Rallon

Personal Background Rallon's full name was Rallonwashatellaraw. He was of the wealthy House of Stillhaven. He excelled at subjects involving the piloting and maintenance of a TARDIS (such as Stellar Cartography and Geochronometry), Temporal Theory and Time Law. He was romantically involved with Millennia, and it was expected that the two of them would announce their bond once they graduated the Academy.

Relationships Within the Deca: Rallon was romantically involved iwth Millennia, another member of the Deca. He was Theta Sigma's mentor, as he was already on his second incarnation and he lived in Theta's dorm. He, along with Ushas and Vansell, had already regenerated by the time of his adventure with the Celestial Toymaker, being in his second incarnation. It is possible, therefore, that he knew Ushas and Vansell before the others did. Rallon and Drax shared an interest in the workings of TARDISes.

Leaving Gallifrey: Since Theta Sigma needed a TARDIS pilot to take him to investigate the Celestial Toymaker, and Rallon excelled at TARDIS-related matters, he was chosen for the job. Rallon was taken by the Celestial Toymaker(2) as the entity's host body; as such, he never returned to Gallifrey. He retained his own mind and was able to influence the Celestial Toymaker to an extent, but the Celestial Toymaker, more often than not, was in control of his body.

Notable Moments: Rallon has completed one cycle of regenerations, and has never been awarded another body by the Time Lords. Notable moments in his lifetime include being in a relationship with Millennia, receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3), encountering the Celestial Toymaker(2), being taken as the Celestial Toymaker's host body, influencing the Toymaker to make mistakes so that Theta Sigma is able to defeat him, cycling through eleven regenerations in quick succession (thus committing suicide and depriving the Celestial Toymaker of a body).

Mortimus

Personal Background: Mortimus' House and full name are unknown. He became known as the Monk (or alternately, the Meddling Monk or the Time Meddler) upon leaving the Academy because of his favoured costume, a monk's habit. He had an extreme passion for history, particularly the histories of Earth and Gallifrey. He passed Temporal Theory only barely, and completely failed Ethics and Morality. He dropped out of the Academy after Theta Sigma's expulsion.

Relationships Within the Deca: Mortimus shared Theta Sigma's passions for history and Earth. Mortimus was eternally amused at the attraction between the Time Lords, particularly Rallon and Millennia, and the unrequited love Magnus possessed for Ushas; he did not seem to feel this attraction himself, nor was he particularly close to any others of the Deca.

Leaving Gallifrey: After dropping out of the Academy, Mortimus became an agent provocateur of the Time Lord Council, sent out to uncover Time Lords who were doing something wrong. They eventually betrayed him. Mortimus then joined a secretive scholarly college which practised worship of the higher powers. It is assumed he became familiar with these higher powers at this time, and perhaps even frightened of them; just fifty years after Theta Sigma left Gallifrey, Mortimus left as well, and presumably never returned.

Notable Moments: It is unknown how many incarnations Mortimus had employed, nor how he died. It is assumed he died before the Time War, as he did not fight in any battles. Notable moments of his lifetime included receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3) though it is unknown when or how this occurred, dropping out of the Academy, being an agent for the Time Lord Council, being involved in a secret ancient worship sect, lending mechanical assistance at Stonehenge (Earth history), giving Leonardo da Vinci aircraft design hints (Earth history), planning to prevent the Norman conquest in order to avert Britain's Dark Ages (Earth history), assisting the Daleks in mastering space-time travel, being involved with the Daleks and the Ice Warriors, being nominated as Death's Champion.

Magnus

Personal Background: Magnus' House and full name are unknown, though his House was not Lungbarrow or Stillhaven. Magnus' specialty was Science and Energies; he was top of all Science-related classes, and was honoured in Physics. His failings were in Stellar Cartography, Stellar Engineering and Philosophy. He was highly charismatic, but ended up dropping out of the Academy after Theta's expulsion.

Relationships Within the Deca: Magnus became friends with Koschei and Theta Sigma on their first day at the Academy. Koschei envied Magnus' strong personality; their friendship may not have been as close as that of Koschei and Theta Sigma. Magnus had a crush on Ushas, much to Mortimus' amusement.

Leaving Gallifrey: Because of Magnus' brilliance, the Time Lord Council did not want to lose him after he dropped out of the Academy. They assigned him to the Physics department of the Scientific Research sector on Gallifrey. This led to Magnus' discovery of a sphere of pure artron energy within the time vortex; he brought this sphere back to Gallifrey and attempted to harness its power for the Time Lords. However, Theta Sigma intervened: he sensed that the sphere contained a sentient being. He sabotaged the experiments and rescued the being, which fled back into the vortex from whence it had come. The Time Lords commended Theta for his actions, but Magnus declared their friendship void and, disgraced in the eyes of the Council, left Gallifrey - possibly forever.

Notable Moments: Magnus' eventual fate and number of used incarnations is unknown; he was on at least his third at the last report before the Time War. Notable moments within his lifetime include receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3) at the behest of the Council, rising within the ranks of the Scientific Research sector to eventually lead experiments, disgrace and exile from Gallifrey, joining up with the War Lords where he became known as the War Chief, giving the War Lords time-space travel technology, being disgraced among the War Lords for murdering the Security Chief, being put on trial by the Time Lords, being executed for his crimes, undergoing a faulty regeneration, being an occult advisor to Adolf Hitler. His final fate is unknown; it is assumed he died before or during the Time War.

Ushas

Personal Background: Ushas' full name and House are unknown. At the time of Theta's expulsion, Ushas had already received her Rassilon Imprimateur(3), and was on her second incarnation. She excelled at subjects like Biochemistry and Research and Experimentation, and horribly failed Time Lord Philosophy, Time Law and Ethics and Morality. While she stayed on at the Academy for some time after Theta's expulsion, Ushas was eventually exiled from Gallifrey after one of her experiments went wrong.

Relationships Within the Deca: Ushas was possibly brought into the Deca by Koschei, who admired her skills in biochemistry and research. It is thought that Ushas and Theta Sigma had a brief relationship, perhaps around the time of her ninety-fourth birthday as Theta was extended a specific invitation to the celebrations, and Magnus is known to have been infatuated with Ushas at least for a time. Other than that, Ushas kept out of the Deca's affairs, focussing solely on her research and reputation. She and Millennia were, as the only Time Ladies within the Deca, at least friends, but probably not close.

Leaving Gallifrey: Ushas stayed on at the Academy after Theta Sigma's expulsion (even though it was after this expulsion that the Deca were disbanded). It is believed that she wanted to graduate, however, her zeal for experimentation prevented her from doing so. One of her experiments caused her lab mice to grow to monstrous sizes, and one of these mutated mice ate Time Lord President Drall's cat. For this, she was exiled from Gallifrey. Ushas became known as the Rani after leaving Gallifrey.

Notable Moments: Ushas was remarkably adept at preserving her incarnations; she was only on her second at the time of her execution. Notable moments within her lifetime included receiving her Rassilon Imprimateur(3), being exiled from Gallifrey after a failed experiment, attempting to correct errors in the 'universal timeline', being brought to trial by the Time Lords for her crimes, being executed by the Time Lords.

Drax

Personal Background: Drax's full name and House are unknown. He had a devout passion for practical technologies, and once built his own skimmer (flying craft) from scratch. He was resourceful and highly skilled. However, he dismally failed in temporal theory - as such, Drax dropped out of the Academy even before Theta's expulsion and set out into the universe.

Relationships Within the Deca: Drax met Theta Sigma in one of their classes; their joint interest in technology solidified their friendship. Drax was the first to call Theta 'Thete'. Drax and Jelpax were also good friends. They both lived outside the Academy and travelled to it everyday, and they shared an interest in Time Lord Relics. Drax and Rallon were both interested in TARDISes, and became friends because of this.

Leaving Gallifrey: Drax was the first of the Deca to leave Gallifrey. His absence was never permanent, but voluntary - Drax left after dropping out of the Time Lord Academy and could return to Gallifrey whenever he wanted (such as when Theta received his Rassilon Imprimateur(3), when Drax gifted him with a fob watch). Drax took up the repair and maintenance of time machines when he left Gallifrey.

Notable Moments: It is unknown how many incarnations Drax had used before his death, but it was more than three. Notable moments in his lifetime include receiving his Rassilon Imprimateur(3) in order to pilot and repair TARDISes, dropping out of the Academy, sold fake TARDISes to the Andromedans, attended Theta Sigma's 'graduation', assisted Chancellor Flavia in monitoring the Waro invasion of Earth's solar system, tried to steal the British Royal Family's royal jewels (Earth history) to repair his TARDIS' hyperbolic drive, assisted Theta Sigma to recover the Key to Time, fought in the Time War (but it is not known where), died during the Time War.

Jelpax

Personal Background: Jelpax's full name and House are unknown. Jelpax excelled in history, Time Law and the study of politics; he was not so successful in practical matters of any sort. Timid and wary of adventure, Jelpax worked in the Time Lord library, where he had access to all sorts of texts and documents. Jelpax was the only member of the Deca to complete his education and properly graduate from the Time Lord Academy.

Relationships Within the Deca: Jelpax was great friends with Drax, as both were interested in Time Lord Relics and both travelled to and from the Academy every day. Jelpax was also friendly with Theta Sigma, and it was through him that Theta discovered the existence of the Celestial Toymaker(2).

Leaving Gallifrey: Jelpax never left Gallifrey, working for the Time Lords in various capacities his entire life.

Notable Moments: Jelpax was the only member of the Deca to complete his education at the Time Lord Academy, and he remained on Gallifrey for the majority of his life; he died protecting the President's side during the Time War. Notable moments in his lifetime include graduating the Time Lord Academy and receiving his Rassilon Imprimateur(3), being assigned five minor galaxies to supervise, recommended to the Time Lord Council that the Daleks' evolution be retarded after foreseeing a universe where they would be all-powerful (a very early event of the Time War), discovered the Dark Scrolls, arose to power at Borusa's side, became co-ordinator of the APC Net (Amplified Panatropic Net, part of the Matrix(1)), was demoted after Borusa's downfall to a monitor of the transduction barriers, married (partner unknown), had children (names unknown), rose to become the Lady President Romana's personal aide, died protecting her during the Time War.

Vansell

Personal Background: Vansell's full name was Vansellostophossius, but his House is unknown. He excelled at Ethics and Morality mostly because of his skill in manipulation and knowing the right thing to say, and also at Time Law. He was an average to good student in all other subjects, failing none. Vansell was an agent of the CIA (Celestial Intervention Agency)(4) even while at the Academy. At the time of Theta's expulsion, he was already on his second incarnation and had received his Rassilon Imprimateur(3).

Relationships Within the Deca: Vansell had no strong relationships of any kind within the Deca. He was assigned by the CIA to keep an eye on Theta Sigma, however, so it can be assumed that he insinuated himself into Theta's good graces (and therefore probably Koschei's, if not all the others').

Leaving Gallifrey: Vansell never left Gallifrey, working with the CIA, the Time Lord Council and various Lord and Lady Presidents during his lifetime.

Notable Moments: Vansell, like Ushas, was able to hold onto his incarnations for a long time; at his death, he was only on his third. Notable moments in his lifetime include receiving the Rassilon Imprimateur(3) but when or why is not known as he did not graduate the Academy, becoming the Co-ordinator of the Celestial Intervention Agency, organised a trial for Theta Sigma regarding the Nestene Consciousness' fate (which was the end of Vansell and Theta's friendship), leading an expedition into the world of Anti-Time to recover Rassilon's body, becoming possessed by Anti-Time energy and staging a coup on Gallifrey, overcoming the energy's influence, becoming trapped within the Time Station's temporal reactors (in an attempt to aid Lady President Romana), was vaporised.

Millennia

Personal Background: Millennia's full name is unknown, but she was from the wealthy House of Brightshore. She was the top of her class at cosmic science and transcendental engineering, but failed Time Lord Philosophy. Millennia was romantically involved with Rallon; it was assumed that, had they survived, they would have announced their bond after graduating the Academy.

Relationships Within the Deca: Millennia was romantically involved within Rallon despite their age differences. Because Rallon was Theta Sigma's mentor, Millennia was also good friends with Theta. Her passion for transcendental engineering made Drax pay attention to her, as it is a science which makes TARDISes possible. She and Ushas were, as the only Time Ladies within the Deca, at least friends, but probably not close.

Leaving Gallifrey: Millennia accompanied Theta Sigma and Rallon on their ill-fated voyage to discover the Celestial Toymaker(2). When she lost one of his games, Millennia was taken by the Toymaker and re-created into one of his toys - a living marionnette doll. It is assumed that she died when the Toymaker's fabricated realm collapsed.

Notable Moments: Millennia was the first of the Deca to die, being only on her first incarnation when she did so. Notable moments within her life include being involved with Rallon, losing a game against the Celestial Toymaker and becoming a living marionnette doll, thus losing her life.

(1) - The Matrix. The Matrix was an extremely important Time Lord creation. It contained the biodata of every Time Lord who had ever lived. This biodata was collected by their TARDISes and transmitted directly to the Matrix upon the Time Lord's death. It has been likened to a virtual reality, as the biodata streams of all the Time Lords within the Matrix are able to assume a pseudobody for interacting.

(2) - The Celestial Toymaker. The Toymaker was the embodiment of one of the fundamental forces of the universe; he was the avatar of dreams and illusions, known as the Crystal Guardian. He was a powerful being who ensnared sentient beings in apparently childish games, with their freedom as the stakes. See more here.

(3) - The Rassilon Imprimatur is linked to (or a part of) the symbiotic nuclei which allows a Time Lord access to time travel and in particular temporal vessels such as a TARDIS. TARDISes must be primed with a Rassilon Imprimatur to enable them to travel safely in time. The Imprimatur maps Time Lords and their TARDISes onto the time vortex as pure mathematics, ensuring their survival while travelling the vortex.

(4) - Celestial Intervention Agency (CIA). The CIA was a secretive Gallifreyan organisation dedicated to selectively breaking the non-interference policy of the Time Lords. The CIA were a group created to be a covert arm of the High Council, made to safeguard the Time Lords' interests. They evolved from a core group of Rassilon's guards. They functioned as spies. It was said that they didn't even know which side they were on.