The Vardon Horse (short story): Difference between revisions
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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{Infobox Story | {{Infobox Story SMW | ||
|range = Myths & Legends (anthology) | |range = Myths & Legends (anthology) | ||
|number in range = 6 | |number in range = 6 | ||
|image = | |image = | ||
<gallery> | |||
The Vardon Horse (short story) 1.jpg|Image 1 | |||
The Vardon Horse (short story) 2.jpg|Image 2 | |||
</gallery> | |||
|series = ''[[Myths & Legends (anthology)|Myths & Legends]]'' | |series = ''[[Myths & Legends (anthology)|Myths & Legends]]'' | ||
|main character = | |main character = | ||
| Line 10: | Line 14: | ||
|featuring = [[First Doctor]] | |featuring = [[First Doctor]] | ||
|enemy = [[Zarak]] | |enemy = [[Zarak]] | ||
|setting = [[Xeriphas]] | |setting = 34th Alpus-6th Belagaw, [[Xeriphas]] | ||
|writer = | |writer = Richard Dinnick | ||
|illustrator = [[Adrian Salmon]] | |illustrator = [[Adrian Salmon]] | ||
|read by = | |read by = | ||
|anthology = | |anthology = Myths & Legends (anthology) | ||
|release date = | |release date = 29 June 2017 | ||
|prev = Jorus and the Voganauts (short story) | |prev = Jorus and the Voganauts (short story) | ||
|next = Defiance of the New Bloods (short story) | |next = Defiance of the New Bloods (short story) | ||
| Line 22: | Line 26: | ||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
''to | As the [[Vardon-Kosnax War]] approaches the planet [[Xeriphas]], the [[Xeraphin]] Senate is divided over which course of action to take. The [[Vardon]] have a longstanding peace agreement with the Xeraphin, but they are equally prepared to destroy Xeriphas to keep its valuable knowledge away from the [[Kosnax|Kosnak]]. During the course of the heated debate, [[First Doctor|a visitor]] arrives on Xeriphas and offers his assistance to the Xeraphin Senate Principal. | ||
The following day, the [[Vardon]] and [[Kosnax|Kosnak]] fleets arrive. Senate Principal [[Orfak]] imposes [[martial law]] and places the recently deposed Senator [[Furis]] in command of the planet's defence. Meanwhile, [[First Doctor|the Doctor]] makes plans with the Core Scientific to transform the essence of the Xeraphin and offer themselves as a gift to the enemy. | |||
At the Doctor's direction, most of the Xeraphin are transformed into beings of pure energy and sent to a storage unit called "the sarcophagus". This sarcophagus serves as both the largest database in the [[universe]] and also an immensely powerful weapon, but when operated, it emits dangerous levels of [[radiation]]. After the last few Xeraphin enter, the Doctor tampers with the defence shields so that the fleets can enter the trap, and he departs. | |||
The Vardon take the bait, bringing the sarcophagus aboard their flagship and using it to destroy the Kosnak fleet. When Odyson and Epeyak regenerate into physical form, they discover that Furis double-crossed the Senate and sent her own troops to kill the Vardon. Senate Principal Orfak calls an emergency meeting with [[Zarak]], who has been dispatched to arrest Furis. At the meeting, it is discovered that the radiation is stronger than expected, and all regenerated Xeraphin have been poisoned. Zarak declares the Senators and scientists guilty of treason and imprisons them in cells, where they will quickly die of radiation poisoning. Zarak and his men return to the sarcophagus to wait out the sickness. | |||
== Characters == | == Characters == | ||
* [[Odyson]] | |||
* [[Furis]] | * [[Furis]] | ||
* [[Orfak]] | * [[Orfak]] | ||
| Line 32: | Line 43: | ||
* [[First Doctor]] | * [[First Doctor]] | ||
== | == Worldbuilding == | ||
* The [[Vardon]] | * The [[Vardon]] made an alliance with the Xeraphin to protect their system. | ||
* The [[Silver Soothsayer]] is a folk story on Xeriphas. | * The [[Silver Soothsayer]] is a folk story on Xeriphas. | ||
* The | * The Xeraphin unleash [[radiation]] that kills both the Vardon and Kosnak fleets. | ||
* The Xeraphin calendar has five days: [[Abanday]], [[Borenday]], [[Capulenday]], [[Dessinday]], and [[Essenday]]. | |||
* In the Xeraphin calendar, the month [[Alpus]] has 35 days. It is followed by [[Belagaw]]. | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* [[Kosnax]] is spelled "Kosnak" in this story. Additionally, [[Plasmavore]]s are used by the [[Xeraphin]], but this is likely a mistake and meant to be "[[Plasmaton]]s." | * [[Kosnax]] is spelled "Kosnak" in this story. Additionally, [[Plasmavore]]s are used by the [[Xeraphin]], but this is likely a mistake and meant to be "[[Plasmaton]]s." | ||
* This story is based on the theme of the Wooden Horse of Troy mythology. | * This story is based on the theme of the Wooden Horse of Troy mythology. | ||
* Multiple dates are given in the Xeraphin calendar: | |||
** Dessinday 34th Alpus | |||
** Essenday 35th Alpus | |||
** Abanday 1st Belagaw | |||
** Borenday 2nd Belagaw | |||
** Capulenday 3rd Belagaw | |||
** Dessinday 4th Belagaw | |||
** Essenday 5th Belagaw | |||
** Abanday 6th Belagaw | |||
== Continuity == | == Continuity == | ||
| Line 49: | Line 71: | ||
{{TitleSort}} | {{TitleSort}} | ||
[[Category:Myths & Legends short stories]] | [[Category:Myths & Legends short stories]] | ||
[[Category:First Doctor short stories]] | [[Category:First Doctor short stories]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:26, 3 July 2024
The Vardon Horse was the sixth short story in Myths & Legends.
Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
As the Vardon-Kosnax War approaches the planet Xeriphas, the Xeraphin Senate is divided over which course of action to take. The Vardon have a longstanding peace agreement with the Xeraphin, but they are equally prepared to destroy Xeriphas to keep its valuable knowledge away from the Kosnak. During the course of the heated debate, a visitor arrives on Xeriphas and offers his assistance to the Xeraphin Senate Principal.
The following day, the Vardon and Kosnak fleets arrive. Senate Principal Orfak imposes martial law and places the recently deposed Senator Furis in command of the planet's defence. Meanwhile, the Doctor makes plans with the Core Scientific to transform the essence of the Xeraphin and offer themselves as a gift to the enemy.
At the Doctor's direction, most of the Xeraphin are transformed into beings of pure energy and sent to a storage unit called "the sarcophagus". This sarcophagus serves as both the largest database in the universe and also an immensely powerful weapon, but when operated, it emits dangerous levels of radiation. After the last few Xeraphin enter, the Doctor tampers with the defence shields so that the fleets can enter the trap, and he departs.
The Vardon take the bait, bringing the sarcophagus aboard their flagship and using it to destroy the Kosnak fleet. When Odyson and Epeyak regenerate into physical form, they discover that Furis double-crossed the Senate and sent her own troops to kill the Vardon. Senate Principal Orfak calls an emergency meeting with Zarak, who has been dispatched to arrest Furis. At the meeting, it is discovered that the radiation is stronger than expected, and all regenerated Xeraphin have been poisoned. Zarak declares the Senators and scientists guilty of treason and imprisons them in cells, where they will quickly die of radiation poisoning. Zarak and his men return to the sarcophagus to wait out the sickness.
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Vardon made an alliance with the Xeraphin to protect their system.
- The Silver Soothsayer is a folk story on Xeriphas.
- The Xeraphin unleash radiation that kills both the Vardon and Kosnak fleets.
- The Xeraphin calendar has five days: Abanday, Borenday, Capulenday, Dessinday, and Essenday.
- In the Xeraphin calendar, the month Alpus has 35 days. It is followed by Belagaw.
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- Kosnax is spelled "Kosnak" in this story. Additionally, Plasmavores are used by the Xeraphin, but this is likely a mistake and meant to be "Plasmatons."
- This story is based on the theme of the Wooden Horse of Troy mythology.
- Multiple dates are given in the Xeraphin calendar:
- Dessinday 34th Alpus
- Essenday 35th Alpus
- Abanday 1st Belagaw
- Borenday 2nd Belagaw
- Capulenday 3rd Belagaw
- Dessinday 4th Belagaw
- Essenday 5th Belagaw
- Abanday 6th Belagaw
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Vardon-Kosnax War devastates Xeriphas and the Xeraphin merge into a gestalt. (TV: Time-Flight)
- Plasmavores are servants on Xeriphas. (TV: Smith and Jones)
- The Doctor mentions his recent adventure in the Trojan War. (TV: The Myth Makers)
