Wasn't it twelve hours?

Writing Time Lord agents by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 02:34:00 UTC Reply

So, when I finish with Rose Potter, I'm planning on bringing in a Time Lord agent, just regenerated. Like, just regenerated. What are some of the problems previous Doctors experienced? I know we have delirium, confusion, temporary amnesia, motor control issues, and near-comas. Anything else?

Also, I don't think it was very clear how long the leftover regeneration energy stayed. Ten's seemed to stick around for a while, so maybe a day or so?

Wasn't it twelve hours? by Huinesoron on 2015-02-25 09:20:00 UTC Reply

I'm pretty sure Ten specifies in The Christmas Invasion, when he's explaining why his hand's just regrown (or is about to); if you have access to that, check.

Since you've said this is a first regeneration, bear in mind that they tend to get more severe as the cycle goes on. The Doctor's first regeneration was very low-key, and he was back on his feet almost instantly. Melody Pond's second regeneration didn't really affect her at all - well, it made her slightly psychotic, but in terms of confusion, no.

You might also want to note the first (known) regeneration of Romana: she was apparently able to select her new form with a fine degree of control. This ties in quite nicely with the regrowth/repair aspects seen with Ten and River, actually.

Also: regeneration energy can be used as a weapon in that early timeframe. Again, see River's attack on Berlin.

And the main effect you've missed from the Doctor's regenerations is 'manic energy'. Four jumped up and started jogging on the spot; Eight got waaaaay hyper; Ten, Eleven, and Twelve all manically crashed the TARDIS. And, again, see River, though she was most of the way there already.

hS

Righty-o, thank you very much. by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 11:56:00 UTC Reply

Romana kind of had an idea what to expect beforehand though, didn't she? Anyway, when you say the Doctor's first regeneration was low-key, you mean just in terms of behavior, right? Also, how canon are we talking when it comes to big blasts of energy? Because probably due to the special effects of the time, there wasn't any of this glowy-blasty-boom stuff in Classic Who, but it started in NewWho, and even early regenerations like River's were quite explosive. So which precedent do we use?

Also in terms of The Kaboom. by Huinesoron on 2015-02-25 12:59:00 UTC Reply

One, Three, and Four all definitely had people leaning over them when they regenerated. Contrast that with the 'get back!' nature of the more recent regenerations, and you have a definite progression.

In fact, the only outlier to the idea that early regenerations are more sedate than later ones is River; she regenerated a total of twice, and her second regeneration was a full-on light show. But maybe she's just a showoff? ;)

I think you could argue that 'the light-show' is common to all regenerations, but in the less dramatic versions, it's constrained to the 'glow moves over the hands' stuff; that would explain the way the Classic doctors often glowed, without requiring a justification for the fact that they didn't stand up and do the YMCA.

hS

I just laughed very loudly in class. by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 13:12:00 UTC Reply

I won't be able to watch another regeneration without hearing that song. Thanks a lot for ruining it. >D

Maybe expectation has a part to play in it? Like, if the Time Lord thinks it'll be fairly low-key, it will be?

Sorry if I'm asking too many questions. I already wrote the bit with regeneration (full-on kaboom basically vaporized something) and rather liked how it turned out, but I am willing to change it if it's necessary.

I'd go less boom-intensive by Scapegrace on 2015-02-25 12:02:00 UTC Reply

That way, you don't have to worry about the agent trashing HQ or trying to throttle someone or similar stuff. You can concentrate on them doing stuff they wouldn't normally do, like acting irrationally or trying to throttle someone - wait a sec...

And if it takes place not in HQ? (nm) by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 12:23:00 UTC Reply

Still a problem. by Scapegrace on 2015-02-25 13:02:00 UTC Reply

Your agent's still got enough artron energy in their system to do serious damage up until about the fifteen-hour mark. Plus, you'll recall that compared to humans, Time Lords are very, very strong and pretty difficult to kill. You've also got a grace period of about an hour wherein the Time Lord in question is basically a shapeshifter since their form hasn't gelled yet.

The obvious answer is to lock 'em in their own TARDIS until the regeneration weirdness has subsided, but that's kind of dull. =]

Ah, if only that were possible. by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 13:15:00 UTC Reply

To lock them in their TARDIS, I mean.

...would you mind acting as a sounding board for my idea? I want to get someone else's opinion on it- someone not afraid to tell me my idea sucks if it does.

Sure! by Scapegrace on 2015-02-25 13:34:00 UTC Reply

Contact me at harry heath 99 at that email service where the mail is hot. =]

Sent a test. (nm) by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 14:32:00 UTC Reply

Fifteen, apparently. (nm) by Huinesoron on 2015-02-25 09:21:00 UTC Reply

Hey! I had the idea to have one too... by Edhelistar on 2015-02-25 03:41:00 UTC Reply

... but ultimately decided against it for many reasons. Though during my research I found this. Is a little outdated but I think it might be useful for you
That seems to be a pretty complete list, AFAIK. by SeaTurtle on 2015-02-25 02:46:00 UTC Reply

Leftover regeneration energy seems to stick around for at least several hours after regenerating.

So, what's this one's backstory? Rescued from a badfic? Crash-landed into HQ? Fresh from the Time War? If it's the last one, Emiranlanoamar would like to have a word with him/her...

It's a secret. by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 03:01:00 UTC Reply

I'm just going to say she's pretty young and naive for a Time Lady and this is her first time regenerating, so it'll be quite disorienting for her.

If you absolutely have to know, I suppose you could email me (iximaz(at)gmail(dot)com), but I won't be able to reply for about... *checks clock* eight and a half hours.

Ooh, sounds interesting! by Darkotas on 2015-02-25 03:08:00 UTC Reply

Are you planning on having her in a different department as your other agents? I bet Agent Rina is going to be pestering her with all sorts of questions no matter what. :P

My lips are sealed. Well... by Iximaz on 2015-02-25 03:12:00 UTC Reply

If anyone wouldn't mind keeping a secret for however long Rose Potter takes, I'd like to discuss my idea as well before finalizing anything.

I think I'll wait for the big reveal... by SaeTurtle on 2015-02-25 03:05:00 UTC Reply

In the meantime, ganbare!

*Sweeps mini-Boarder under the rug* (nm) by SeaTurtle on 2015-02-25 03:13:00 UTC Reply