Chelonian
The Chelonians were a race of large, bulky, turtle-like humanoids.
Biology
Chelonians were turtle-like in physique. Though only coming up to a human's waist, they were far wider and more heavily built. They had four limbs, each with opposable digits and blunt claws. They had a sharp beak and a hard cranial plate in front of their brains. They were long-lived creatures, usually living for more than 100 years. They also smelled of leather. (MA: The Well-Mannered War) Chelonians were hermaphrodites and all members could lay eggs. Despite this, Chelonians were referred to as males. (MA: The Crystal Bucephalus) Chelonians were herbivores and ate flowers and seeds, and tried to live on verdant planets where such plants can grow. (MA: The Well-Mannered War) Chelonians apparently didn't taste very good and were very tough to eat. (BNA: Mean Streets) They were rather unintelligent creatures as a species. (DWA: The Body Bank)
Culture
The Chelonians were constructed into an Empire. This Empire was led by the God-Mother, who was nevertheless referred to as "he". Chelonians were well known for their bragging, especially about their military rank. Chelonians criminals were marked by a sigil on their shell, consisting of a red cross and three green dots. (VD: Fegovy)
The Chelonian anthem had 185 verses. (NA: Zamper)
Technology
Most Chelonians were cybernetically enhanced for war. (MA: The Well-Mannered War, DWA: The Body Bank) This included improved senses (MA: The Well-Mannered War) or hydraulic limbs (VD: Fegovy). Some also used jet-packs and Gigga-kill lasers. (DWA: The Body Bank)
Chelonian technology was made from blocks, which could be reconfigured into spaceships or buildings. (MA: The Well-Mannered War) Their ships were squat, black and multi-faceted like crystals. (VD: Fegovy)
History
The Chelonian Empire spanned several billions of years and had its ups and downs.
In 1609, the Chelonians were present at the Armageddon Convention. (MA: The Empire of Glass)
At some point before the 27th century, the Chelonian Empire was starting to fail. The Chelonian criminals Varzald the Pitted and Jerlot tried to purchase The Face of Humanity from Fegovy, planning to use the phizlomium for the empire. (VD: Fegovy)
In the 60th century, the Chelonian Empire was beginning to fall. The last of its warriors was sent to Zamper in 5995, attempting to restore the glory of the Empire. (NA: Zamper)
Circa 5 billion, the Chelonians controlled several breeding planets. One was destroyed by Natalie Sharrocks when she was possessed by an incorporeal entity. A Chelonian followed her to Fraxinos to get revenge. The Doctor and Martha were able to convince it of the truth of the matter and it left peacefully. (DWA: The Body Bank)
A platoon of Chelonians were brought from the past to around 10 billion, where they discovered Barclow and claimed it for the Chelonian Empire. The Humans later found the planet and tried to claim it for themselves. Though neither side wanted a fight, they warred together for 120 years. (MA: The Well-Mannered War)
- When in time the platoon was from was not made clear.
At some point in their history the Chelonians joined The Alliance formed to imprison The Doctor in the Pandorica in order to save the Universe, they arrived at Stonehenge, 102 A.D. along with the rest of the Alliance. (DW: The Pandorica Opens)
Other References
- The Dark Peaks Lodge used the voices of mid-35th century Chelonian politician for their voice synthesizers. (EDA: Placebo Effect)
- St. Oscar's University had a Faculty of Chelonian literature, headed by Professor Epstein. (BNA: Oh No It Isn't!) Hamilton Smith, professor of alien-human interaction and integration, also had theories about them. (BNA: Dry Pilgrimage)
- The Doctor once recounted an anecdote of him going over Niagra Falls with a Chelonian. (IDW:Silver Scream)
Behind the Scene
- The designation Chelonian covers the Earth turtles, tortoises and terrapins.
- In an early idea for the 2009 Easter Special which would eventually become Planet of the Dead, the Chelonians were to appear. The story would feature them as part of a war with other aliens which the Doctor would stumble upon. (REF: Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale - The Final Chapter)
- The Chelonians are mentioned in The Pandorica Opens, this is their first ever reference in the televised series.
