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home era=[[Rassilon Era]]|
home era=[[Rassilon Era]]|
appearances=[[Rassilon - List of Appearances|Full List of Appearances]] |  
appearances=[[Rassilon - List of Appearances|Full List of Appearances]] |  
actor=[[Richard Matthews]]<br>[[Don Warrington]]|}}
actor=<ul><li>[[Richard Matthews]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')</li><li>[[Don Warrington]] ([[BFA]]: ''[[Neverland]]'', ''[[Zagreus (Audio story)|Zagreus]]'', ''[[The Next Life]]''</li></ul> (|}}


'''Rassilon''' is an ancient [[Time Lord]], perhaps the single greatest figure in Time Lord history. Certainly he is the most important figure in the official histories of [[Gallifrey]], and is generally considered the first Time Lord, though some believe that title more properly belongs to [[Omega]].
'''Rassilon''' was perhaps the single greatest figure in Time Lord history. Certainly he is the most important figure in the official histories of [[Gallifrey]], and was generally considered the first Time Lord, though some believe that distinction belonged to [[Omega]].


==Biography==
==Profile==
Among his many achievements, Rassilon mastered time travel, ended the "[[Dark Time]]" of Gallifrey's past (deposing the matriarchal society of the [[Pythia]]), battled and defeated the [[Great Vampire]]s, and created the foundations of Time Lord science (including inventing [[TARDIS]]es, Gallifrey's [[transduction barrier]]s, [[Loom]]s and the [[De-mat Gun]], among other things). Many of the traditions of Time Lord society supposedly originated with Rassilon, though notably not their [[Non-interference policy|policy of non-interference]]. The Time Lords themselves may have been created by Rassilon: the genetic link that enables Time Lords to travel through time without ill effects is known as the [[Rassilon Imprimatur]], and it is implied that many physiological traits of Time Lords, including the ability to [[regeneration|regenerate]], were introduced by him. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Zagreus (audio story)|Zagreus]]'')
===Biography===
====Achievements====
Previous to the creation of the [[Time Lord]]s, Rassilon headed the [[Prydonian Chapter]]. With [[Omega]], he planned to make the [[star]] [[Qqaba]] go [[supernova]]. The energy released would enable the [[Gallifreyan]] race to [[travel through time|time travel]], to become Time Lords. A saboteur from the future known as [[Fenris]], caused the death of Omega (or so the Gallifreyans) believed, but the [[time controller]] on Fenris' belt proved useful to him. ([[DWM]]: ''[[Star Death]]'')


In addition to this, Rassilon was known to have used temporal technology to gaze into the future where he learnt of the [[Divergence]] a race that would eclipse his own within 10,000 millennia. Fearing this potential future, he created a sent self-replicating, biogenic molecule which he sent back in time to seed all habitable planets in the galaxy. This ensured that all intelligent life evolved in the form of the Gallifreyans which trapped the Divergents in their own timeline which Rassilon sealed in a time loop.
Rassillon ended the [[Dark Time]] and deposed the matriarchal society of the [[Pythia]], in retaliation for which the Pythia [[Pythia's Curse|cursed Gallifrey]] and made Gallifreyans sterile ([[NA]]: ''[[Cat's Cradle]]'').  


Furthermore, he was known to have despised the existence of the [[Vampires]] and began a purge to wipe them out of existence. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Zagreus (audio story)|Zagreus]]'')
He brought the [[Eye of Harmony]], a [[black hole]], to Gallifrey where it rested underneath the [[Panopticon]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]''). He invented [[TARDIS]]es (source?) Gallifrey's [[transduction barrier]], [[Loom]]s and the [[De-mat Gun]]. History said of the traditions of Time Lord society originated with Rassilon, though notably not their [[Non-interference policy|policy of non-interference]]. The Time Lords themselves may have been created by Rassilon: the genetic link that enabled Time Lords to travel through time without ill effects was known as the [[Rassilon Imprimatur]], and it is implied that many physiological traits of Time Lords, including the ability to [[regeneration|regenerate]], were his creations. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Zagreus (audio story)|Zagreus]]'')


Using temporal technology, Rassilon studied the future where he learnt of the [[Divergence]] a race that would eclipse his own within 10,000 millennia. Fearing this potential future, he created a sent self-replicating, [[biogenic]] molecule which he sent back in time to seed all habitable planets in Gallifrey's [[galaxy]], which ensured all intelligent life evolved in the form of the Gallifreyans which trapped the Divergents in their own [[timeline]], which Rassilon sealed into a [[time loop]].
Despising the existence of the [[Vampires]] and began a purge to wipe them out of existence. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Zagreus (audio story)|Zagreus]]'') This took the form of a great war against the [[Great Vampire]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[State of Decay]]'')
====Artefacts====
A great many important Gallifreyan artefacts bear his name, including the [[Sash of Rassilon]], [[Rod of Rassilon]], [[Coronet of Rassilon]], [[Harp of Rassilon]], [[Ring of Rassilon]], [[Great Key of Rassilon]] and the [[Loom of Rassilon's Mouse]]. The symbol used as a mark of Time Lord authority is known as the [[Seal of Rassilon]]; it appears as a motif in many Time Lord designs.
A great many important Gallifreyan artefacts bear his name, including the [[Sash of Rassilon]], [[Rod of Rassilon]], [[Coronet of Rassilon]], [[Harp of Rassilon]], [[Ring of Rassilon]], [[Great Key of Rassilon]] and the [[Loom of Rassilon's Mouse]]. The symbol used as a mark of Time Lord authority is known as the [[Seal of Rassilon]]; it appears as a motif in many Time Lord designs.


Despite all this, and the advanced state of Time Lord science during Rassilon's life, few certain facts are known about him. Many legends suggest Rassilon was less than a paragon of virtue, especially in his dealings with [[Omega]]. While nearly all accounts agree the pair worked together (in some stories with a third figure known as "[[the Other]]") to give the Time Lords mastery over time, they differ on whether he manipulated Omega into performing the risky [[Hand of Omega|stellar detonation]] that led to him being trapped in the universe of [[anti-matter]]. Rassilon is generally credited with chaining the resulting [[black hole]] beneath the [[Panopticon]], creating the [[Eye of Harmony]], though again, accounts differ as to whether he did so via his own devices, or if he simply followed Omega's instructions. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'')
====Death====
Many rumours also surround Rassilon's death, but the most persistent say he discovered a form of true [[immortality]] beyond the regeneration known to Time Lords. He hid its secret with his remains in the [[Tomb of Rassilon]] at the heart of the [[Death Zone]] on [[Gallifrey]], protected by the various creatures brought there when the Time Lords abused their power and played games with the lives of others. [[The Doctor]] discovered the truth when his mentor [[Borusa]] used him to try and discover Rassilon's secret: Rassilon did indeed discover immortality, but realised it was too dangerous a secret to share. The rumours of the Dark Tower were a trap, designed to lure those who wanted immortality to their just punishment - immortality as a living statue, imprisoned in Rassilon's tomb. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')


Many rumours also surround Rassilon's death, but the most persistent say he discovered a form of true immortality beyond the regeneration known to Time Lords. He hid its secret with his remains in the [[Tomb of Rassilon]] at the heart of the [[Death Zone]] on [[Gallifrey]], protected by the various creatures brought there when the Time Lords abused their power and played games with the lives of others. [[The Doctor]] discovered the truth when his mentor [[Borusa]] used him to try and discover Rassilon's secret: Rassilon did indeed discover immortality, but realised it was too dangerous a secret to share. The rumours of the Dark Tower were a trap, designed to lure those who wanted immortality to their just punishment - immortality as a living statue, imprisoned in Rassilon's tomb. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')
Other accounts show that Rassilon lived on his creation, [[the Matrix]], with other beings. Together they called themselves the [[Matrix Lord]]s. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Tides of Time]]'')  


: ''If Rassilon discovered immortality then he may have survived the [[Time War]]. It is unknown who, if any Time Lord other than the Doctor and the Master, survived the Time War, but Rassilon would seem the most likely.''
==Behind the Scenes==
*Mention of Rassilon first in ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]''. Prior to which all evidence pointed to [[Omega]], who had appeared in ''[[The Three Doctors]]'' as the founder of [[Time Lord]] society. A ''[[Doctor Who Weekly]]'' comics story, ''[[Star Death]]'' attempted to reconcile this by having Rassilon and Omega working together and a few subsequent televised ''[[Doctor Who]]'' stories, ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks]]'' and ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'' have taken this approach. [[Remembrance of the Daleks (novelisation)|''Remembrance'''s novelisation]] by [[Ben Aaronovitch]], dipping into the "[[Cartmel Masterplan]]" explained that Omega, Rassilon and a third historical figure, [[the Other]] worked together in enabling the [[Gallifrey]]ans to have [[time travel]]. ''[[The Infinity Doctors]]'' by [[Lance Parkin]], which features Omega as the main villain, says that the Time Lords had not three but six important central figures, the names of three remain unknown.


{{Time Lords}}
{{Time Lords}}
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[[Category:Individual Time Lords]]
[[Category:Individual Time Lords]]
[[Category:Individual leaders]]
[[Category:Individual leaders]]
[[Category:Prydonians]]
[[Category:Time Lord history]]

Revision as of 22:58, 18 September 2008

Rassilon was perhaps the single greatest figure in Time Lord history. Certainly he is the most important figure in the official histories of Gallifrey, and was generally considered the first Time Lord, though some believe that distinction belonged to Omega.

Profile

Biography

Achievements

Previous to the creation of the Time Lords, Rassilon headed the Prydonian Chapter. With Omega, he planned to make the star Qqaba go supernova. The energy released would enable the Gallifreyan race to time travel, to become Time Lords. A saboteur from the future known as Fenris, caused the death of Omega (or so the Gallifreyans) believed, but the time controller on Fenris' belt proved useful to him. (DWM: Star Death)

Rassillon ended the Dark Time and deposed the matriarchal society of the Pythia, in retaliation for which the Pythia cursed Gallifrey and made Gallifreyans sterile (NA: Cat's Cradle).

He brought the Eye of Harmony, a black hole, to Gallifrey where it rested underneath the Panopticon (DW: The Deadly Assassin). He invented TARDISes (source?) Gallifrey's transduction barrier, Looms and the De-mat Gun. History said of the traditions of Time Lord society originated with Rassilon, though notably not their policy of non-interference. The Time Lords themselves may have been created by Rassilon: the genetic link that enabled Time Lords to travel through time without ill effects was known as the Rassilon Imprimatur, and it is implied that many physiological traits of Time Lords, including the ability to regenerate, were his creations. (BFA: Zagreus)

Using temporal technology, Rassilon studied the future where he learnt of the Divergence a race that would eclipse his own within 10,000 millennia. Fearing this potential future, he created a sent self-replicating, biogenic molecule which he sent back in time to seed all habitable planets in Gallifrey's galaxy, which ensured all intelligent life evolved in the form of the Gallifreyans which trapped the Divergents in their own timeline, which Rassilon sealed into a time loop. Despising the existence of the Vampires and began a purge to wipe them out of existence. (BFA: Zagreus) This took the form of a great war against the Great Vampires. (DW: State of Decay)

Artefacts

A great many important Gallifreyan artefacts bear his name, including the Sash of Rassilon, Rod of Rassilon, Coronet of Rassilon, Harp of Rassilon, Ring of Rassilon, Great Key of Rassilon and the Loom of Rassilon's Mouse. The symbol used as a mark of Time Lord authority is known as the Seal of Rassilon; it appears as a motif in many Time Lord designs.

Death

Many rumours also surround Rassilon's death, but the most persistent say he discovered a form of true immortality beyond the regeneration known to Time Lords. He hid its secret with his remains in the Tomb of Rassilon at the heart of the Death Zone on Gallifrey, protected by the various creatures brought there when the Time Lords abused their power and played games with the lives of others. The Doctor discovered the truth when his mentor Borusa used him to try and discover Rassilon's secret: Rassilon did indeed discover immortality, but realised it was too dangerous a secret to share. The rumours of the Dark Tower were a trap, designed to lure those who wanted immortality to their just punishment - immortality as a living statue, imprisoned in Rassilon's tomb. (DW: The Five Doctors)

Other accounts show that Rassilon lived on his creation, the Matrix, with other beings. Together they called themselves the Matrix Lords. (DWM: The Tides of Time)

Behind the Scenes

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