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{{Infobox Individual
{{Infobox Individual
|individual name= Adrasta
|image             = Adrasta.jpg
|image= [[File:Adrasta.jpg|250px]]
|species          = Chlorian
|alias=
|origin            = [[Chloris]]
|race= [[Near-Human]]
|only              = The Creature from the Pit (TV story)
|home planet= [[Chloris]]
|main actor       = Myra Frances
|home era=  
|appearances= [[DW]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit]]''
|actor= [[Myra Frances]]
}}
}}
'''Lady Adrasta''' was the ruler of [[Chloris]], a lush jungle world where [[metal]] in all forms was a rare and prized commodity.
Lady '''Adrasta''' was the ruler of [[Chloris]].


==Biography==
== Biography ==
Adrasta gained power by holding the monopoly of the planet's metal. All of this metal came from the planet's only mine, the entrance to which was a pit that was guarded fiercely by Adrasta's men. She was aided by [[Karela]] and the [[Huntsman]], the latter of which controlled Adrasta's [[Wolfweed]]s. These Wolfweeds had been grown for her use in nurseries within the palace.
=== Early reign ===
Adrasta had men fiercely guard the entrance to Chloris's only [[mine]], granting her a [[monopoly]] of Chloris's [[metal]] and gaining her power. She was aided in this by [[Karela]] and the [[Huntsman (The Creature from the Pit)|Huntsman]], the latter of whom controlled the [[Wolfweed]]s that she grew in her palace [[nursery|nurseries]] for her use.


When [[Erato]], an ambassador from [[Tythonus]], which had a lack of [[chlorophyll]] but an abundance of metal, attempted to start trade negotiations, she had him thrown into the pit rather than lose her monopoly. Anyone who opposed or failed her was thrown into the pit to be eaten by the creature. She kept the origins of the creature a secret from her people.
[[Erato]] came as an [[ambassador]] from [[Tythonus]] to negotiate the trade of [[chlorophyll]] for [[metal]]. Rather than lose her monopoly, Lady Adrasta had him thrown into a [[pit]] and kept the secret of his offer and [[identity]] from her people. She had anybody who opposed her or failed her thrown into the pit to be eaten by "the Creature".


Fifteen years later, when the [[Fourth Doctor]] came to Chloris, Adrasta was interested as to what he made of Erato's craft. She was interested in his theory that it was an egg. However, the Doctor threw himself into the pit and so Adrasta took [[Romana II|Romana]] prisoner instead, hoping she knew something about the object. She also had [[K9 Mark II|K9]] brought to her palace as he was made of valuable metal.
Adrasta tasked her [[engineer]]s, including [[Tollund]] and [[Doran]], with finding out the function of the [[Tythonian ship]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit (TV story)|The Creature from the Pit]]'')


From K9's data banks, Adrasta learnt about [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]]. She saw its powers as a way to dominate the planet without need for the creature to protect her mine. She decided to have K9 kill the creature and so took a party into the mine.
=== Downfall ===
Fifteen years after Erato's arrival, Lady Adrasta met the [[Fourth Doctor]] and had him inspect the Tythonian ship. She was interested in his theory that it was an [[egg]] and had Doran thrown into the pit for providing her with an incorrect assertion on its nature. Hoping that [[Romana II|Romana]] might know something about the ship, she took her [[prisoner]] after the Doctor jumped into the pit. She also had [[K9 Mark II|K9]] brought to her palace, as he was made of valuable metal.


[[File:The Doctor and Adrasta.jpg|left|thumb|150px|The Doctor holds Adrasta. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit]]'')]]
[[File:The Doctor and Adrasta.jpg|left|thumb|The Doctor holds Adrasta. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit (TV story)|The Creature from the Pit]]'')]]
As they advanced towards the creature, it created a protective barrier to prevent their approach. Adrasta had K9 attack it but this proved fruitless. The Doctor was able to break through from the other side and she took him as a prisoner.
From K9's data banks, Adrasta learnt about [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] and saw the potential in using it as a way to dominate Chloris without using Erato to protect her [[mine]]. To this end, she decided to have K9 kill the creature, but this proved fruitless. They came across the Doctor in the pit, whom she also took prisoner. When Erato approached, Adrasta cowered in [[fear]] and tried to flee, but the Doctor held her and the Huntsman used the Wolfweeds to force her to use Erato's [[Tythonian communicator|communicator]]. Erato told them the truth and, in revenge, attacked her, as did the Wolfweeds. She was killed in seconds and her body dissolved. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit (TV story)|The Creature from the Pit]]'')


Erato approached the party while Adrasta was unprepared. She cowered in fear and attempted to flee, but the Doctor held her. Erato was able to talk through the [[Tythonian Communicator]] which had to be touched by someone else. Realising her deceit, the Huntsman used the Wolfweeds to force Adrasta into using the communicator. She did so and Erato told all present how she had acted selfishly rather than for the good of her planet. In revenge Erato attacked her, as did the Wolfweeds. She was killed in a manner of seconds with her body dissolved. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Creature from the Pit]]'')
== Behind the scenes ==


==Behind the scenes==
* [[David Fisher (writer)|David Fisher]] named the character partly in homage to Andromeda, a figure in Greek legend who attracted a sea monster which plagued her homeland.<ref>http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/5g.html</ref>
*In [[David Fisher]]'s original script, Lady Adrasta was Queen Adastra, whose name meant "to the stars" in Latin. This was changed by [[Douglas Adams]].
* [[Siân Phillips]] was considered for the role.


{{season 17 aliens}}
== Footnotes ==
[[Category:Individual leaders]]
{{reflist}}{{NameSort}}
[[Category:Fourth Doctor enemies]]
 
[[Category:Leaders]]
[[Category:Individual Chlorians]]

Latest revision as of 11:45, 3 October 2023

Lady Adrasta was the ruler of Chloris.

Biography[[edit] | [edit source]]

Early reign[[edit] | [edit source]]

Adrasta had men fiercely guard the entrance to Chloris's only mine, granting her a monopoly of Chloris's metal and gaining her power. She was aided in this by Karela and the Huntsman, the latter of whom controlled the Wolfweeds that she grew in her palace nurseries for her use.

Erato came as an ambassador from Tythonus to negotiate the trade of chlorophyll for metal. Rather than lose her monopoly, Lady Adrasta had him thrown into a pit and kept the secret of his offer and identity from her people. She had anybody who opposed her or failed her thrown into the pit to be eaten by "the Creature".

Adrasta tasked her engineers, including Tollund and Doran, with finding out the function of the Tythonian ship. (TV: The Creature from the Pit)

Downfall[[edit] | [edit source]]

Fifteen years after Erato's arrival, Lady Adrasta met the Fourth Doctor and had him inspect the Tythonian ship. She was interested in his theory that it was an egg and had Doran thrown into the pit for providing her with an incorrect assertion on its nature. Hoping that Romana might know something about the ship, she took her prisoner after the Doctor jumped into the pit. She also had K9 brought to her palace, as he was made of valuable metal.

The Doctor holds Adrasta. (TV: The Creature from the Pit)

From K9's data banks, Adrasta learnt about the TARDIS and saw the potential in using it as a way to dominate Chloris without using Erato to protect her mine. To this end, she decided to have K9 kill the creature, but this proved fruitless. They came across the Doctor in the pit, whom she also took prisoner. When Erato approached, Adrasta cowered in fear and tried to flee, but the Doctor held her and the Huntsman used the Wolfweeds to force her to use Erato's communicator. Erato told them the truth and, in revenge, attacked her, as did the Wolfweeds. She was killed in seconds and her body dissolved. (TV: The Creature from the Pit)

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • David Fisher named the character partly in homage to Andromeda, a figure in Greek legend who attracted a sea monster which plagued her homeland.[1]
  • Siân Phillips was considered for the role.

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. ↑ http://www.shannonsullivan.com/drwho/serials/5g.html
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