Melkur

The Master's TARDIS in the shape of a Melkur

Melkur was a name given in Trakenite culture to corrupted creatures that were attracted to the planet Traken, the seat of the Traken Union.

Biology

Melkur, literally, "a fly trapped in honey". The peaceful atmosphere of Traken rendered them immobile and harmless. There were several Melkurs attracted to Traken, most decayed without causing any long term harm. They were rendered as stone through the imobilisation.

Impersonation

The Melkur that seduced Kassia was more hostile than previous Melkurs and was revealed, shortly after the arrival of the Doctor and Adric, to be the Master's TARDIS. The Master utilised the Melkur form to become Keeper and take control of The Source. (DW: The Keeper of Traken) Nyssa and Tegan saw an illusion of the Melkur intended to frighten them. (DW: Time-Flight)

In Culture

Traditionally, a feast takes place annually (called the 'Feast of Melkur'), in which those attending participate in poetry, music, dance, recitals and performing arts of all varieties and calibres, to ease its passing. (ST: The Astronomer's Apprentice)

Behind the scenes

• The word "Melkur" is similar to "Melkor", (later called Morgoth Baulier), a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's books The Silmarillion, and The Children of Hurin. Melkor was also a malevolent creature, capable of causing weeds to sprout in the Earth around him, much like the Melkur.