Sevateem
The Sevateem — derived from "survey team" — was an artificial cultural grouping on the Earth-like planet colonised by the Mordee expedition. Calling themselves a tribe, they worshipped Xoanon, the supercomputer that had engineered their separation from the Tesh, the planet's other cultural grouping, in a bid to create a race of superhumans. Xoanon defined the Sevateem by the characteristics of "independence, strength, boldness and courage". (TV: The Face of Evil)
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Sevateem were the degenerated remnant of the original expedition's survey team, (TV: The Face of Evil) the Mordee. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Face of Evil) The Fourth Doctor was aware that the expedition followed the Great Breakout of the year 5000. (TV: The Invisible Enemy)
The Sevateem's development and behaviour were influenced by Xoanon as part of its experiments to contrast physical and intuitive development with mental and psychic development.
They lived in a concentrated environment, afraid to travel beyond its borders for fear of phantoms that, in actuality, were projections of Xoanon's psyche. Banishment was one form of punishment. The tribe also kept a pit full of Horda used for executions.
Neeva, the shaman and Speaker of Law for the Sevateem, communicated with Xoanon on their behalf. He told Andor to attack the Tesh — an act with which Leela disagreed, seeing her banished.
The attack was a failure and provoked criticisms of Neeva. The Fourth Doctor used the communicator that allowed Neeva to speak to Xoanon to instruct him to send the Sevateem into the Tesh base. There, the Doctor was able to restore Xoanon's sanity, ending his attempts to control the people and putting an end to the phantoms. The Doctor left the Sevateem and the Tesh to their own means as they attempted to unite their two tribes. Since Leela had communicated with Xoanon, it was suggested that she could help unite the two tribes. Leela refused and asked the Doctor if she could travel with him; when he said no she ran into the TARDIS and pressed a button that began dematerialisation. (TV: The Face of Evil)
Leela was the greatest warrior in the history of the Sevateem, who sacrificed her life to save her tribe. (AUDIO: The Catalyst) The Doctor's companion Leela was named in her honour. (AUDIO: The Catalyst, Arbitration, The Abandoned)
While under the control of Rees in 2014, Leela used the pseudonym "Miss Sevateem". (AUDIO: Second Sight)
Culture[[edit] | [edit source]]
The Sevateem had a warrior culture, living in a state of permanent war with their counterparts the Tesh. Men and women were both expected to fight. Crossbows, knives, and poisonous janis thorns were all common weapons. The Test of the Horda, a trial by ordeal involving vicious native predators called Horda, was also part of their way of life.
The tribe's culture revolved around the worship of Xoanon, who they believed was held captive by the Evil One (a reflection of the computer's damaged psyche). The Evil One supposedly resembled the Doctor's fourth incarnation. The tribe's priest had access to Xoanon through an almost-derelict communications array. Many other relics hinting at the Sevateem's technological origins were a part of daily life, including an ultra-beam accelerator, although the tribe themselves were not aware of this. (TV: The Face of Evil)
They had a belief that the disabled should be slain on sight. (TV: Horror of Fang Rock)
When an elder of the Sevateem died, it was customary for other warriors to guard their body in order to protect their soul from evil spirits until sunrise. When Leela's mother was killed in defending Leela in an animal attack, Leela stayed with her body. (AUDIO: Empathy Games)
The Sevateem believed that if a person died with their eyes open, their spirit would forever be condemned to wander. (AUDIO: Night of the Stormcrow)
They also believed in reincarnation. (AUDIO: The Time Vampire)
The Sevateem had no concept of money. (AUDIO: Death-Dealer)
They used spears to catch fish. (AUDIO: The Fate of Krelos)
The Sevateem had a proverb: "If too many season the pot, the food is spoiled". (AUDIO: Return to Telos)
Latara, the wise man of the Sevateem, brewed ale. (AUDIO: Dead Men's Tales)
Friendship was rare among the Sevateem. (AUDIO: Chronoclasm)
