Vogan
- You may be looking for the Vogans encountered by the Third Doctor.
Vogans were humanoids from Voga, a rogue planet made of gold. Because of their world's unique composition, the Vogans were deadly enemies of the Cybermen, and went into hiding under threat of Cyberman invasion.
Physical characteristics
Vogans were humanoids with grey-brown skin and white hair. They had deep-set eyes and large, protruding features. A Vogan usually had a large domed head and thick white hair. Their eyes were large, luminous and adapted for seeing in the dark, which meant they kept the lighting in their buildings dim. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen)
Culture
Being heavily influenced by an encounter with Rassilon early in their space-faring history, (PROSE: Jorus and the Voganauts) the Vogans were led by a High Council, which was in turn led by the Chief Councillor of Voga. The Council had their own militia, which defended the centre of the planet of Voga. The Vogan Guilds were represented by the guardians, who protected the mining galleries and the surface of the planet. The High Council were in favour of the isolationist policy, while the Guardians believed that the Vogans should rejoin the rest of the galaxy. This schism caused a minor civil war, which happened to occur when both the Cybermen and the Fourth Doctor arrived.
High ranking officials could be identified by their ornate clothing, such as elaborate robes and high-collared clothes. Most of the adornment for their clothes were made out of the gold which is common on their planet. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen)
The Vogans utilised some simple technology, such as motor-boats and projectile weapons. They were incapable of creating glitterguns, only supplying the gold used in them. They were, however, able to create Skystriker, a rocket able to destroy Nerva Beacon. (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen)
History
A Vogan named Jorus lead a crew on their first journey outside of the Voga system aboard the Voga. As they were about to pass the outer asteroid belt, the ship was transported to a foreign system by Rassilon, Lord President of the Time Lords, who had been captured by the Ra'ra'vis. Answering his distress call, the Vogans mounted a rescue attempt, saving Rassilon from his captors. As a reward for providing his freedom, Rassilon promised the Vogans technology and knowledge far beyond their current level. On the journey back, Rassilon discussed Gallifreyan politics with them, with Jorus taking a particular interest in his seal. (PROSE: Jorus and the Voganauts) The political system on Voga later reflected that of the Time Lords, and the seal would later don the halls of the planet. (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen)
The Vogans, living on a planet of gold, were harassed during the war against the Cybermen in the 26th century. This gold was used to create glitterguns which could kill Cybermen. To stop this, the Cybermen tried to destroy Voga. One of the underground survival chambers survived and, greatly reduced, Voga was blasted into space. This forced the Vogans to move underground and set up an isolationist policy. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen)
After floating in space for over three hundred years, Voga was captured by Jupiter's pull. Shortly after this, the humans discovered Voga and put the Nerva Beacon in its orbit not knowing it was the famous planet of gold until fifty years later when the Cybermen discovered Voga and planned to destroy it due to its part in the Cybermen's failure by taking over the Nerva Beacon as part of this purpose.
At this time Chief Councillor Tyrum was attempting to remove Vorus from his office as leader of the guardians and had sparked the Vogan Civil War. The guardians hid within the mines, while those loyal to Tyrum tried to flush them out. Peace was brokered when the Cybermen later invaded. Skystriker was launched and it destroyed the Cyber-ship after it left the Nerva Beacon when they falsely thought it would destroy Voga with the adjustments they made for that. (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen)
