Gallifreyan

Gallifreyans (Dominus temporis) were a near-Human species native to the planet Gallifrey. (TDA: The Last Dodo) The powerful Time Lords originated from this species.

Appearance and biology
Gallifreyans were externally identical in appearance to Humans.


 * See Gallifreyan physiology

Gallifreyans and Time Lords
The term Gallifreyan is often used interchangeably with Time Lord, despite indications that not all Gallifreyans are members of that august society. The Gallifreyan species existed for eons before the time of Rassilon and Omega, the founders of Time Lord society.


 * Most of our knowledge of this species pertains to the Time Lords, specifically in regards to a single Gallifreyan, the Doctor. The matter is confused by the fact that the terms Gallifreyan and Time Lord have sometimes been used interchangeably. We have done our best to allow for this bias.

There have also been at least two non-Gallifreyan Time Lords, the renegade known as the Master, who in the later stages of his life changed species on at least two occasions, and Donna Noble, who was orginally a human, but became a human/Time Lord hybrid after a metacrisis. (It should be noted that during the time of the seventh and eight Doctors, we learn that Gallifreyans are born from the Looms, after the Curse of Pythia. The order of Timelords created by the Three (Rassilon, Omega, and the Other) were just titles given to the elite Gallifreyans who made rank. However, once the curse of Pythia took hold, the Looms wove genetic markers into all new Gallifreyans born. Further yet, it is hinted at, but never specifically said that it is a side effect of the Looms that give Timelords the capability to regenerate. It is possible before the Looms were created that Gallifreyans were not capable of this. This genetic marker is evident with both the appearance of Master in a human form, and with the Doctor hiding from the Family of Blood as a human. By changing their genetic structure they lost their Time Lord abilities. Only the stored energy of their memories and genetic form in their FOB watches could bring them back. This suggests it is not just a title but a genetic trait.


 * Another, possibly apocryphal account, portrays a Human, Ace growing in her knowledge and understanding of the cosmic order and attaining the position of Time Lord. (WC: Death Comes to Time)

Within the Capitol
Even within the Time Lord sanctum of the Capitol, "plebeian classes" exist. (DW: The Deadly Assassin)


 * This reference may well indicate the presence of ordinary Gallifreyans, rather than just Time Lords, in the Capitol. In fact, it remains unclear whether particular groups, like the Chancellory Guard belong to the Time Lord or one of the common Gallifreyan classes.

Outsiders and outcasts


Living in the wild lands outside the Capitol, bands of Gallifreyans called Outsiders lived a primitive lifestyle, wearing fur skins and using weapons like bows, arrows and spears and hunting in order to eat. (DW: The Invasion of Time)

Within the Capitol, rebels known as Shobogans committed petty acts of vandalism. (DW: The Deadly Assassin)

History

 * See Gallifreyan history.