How old is the Master?

[unfeathered]

Do we have any idea, in canon? From the way he and the Doctor always seem to be on the same timeline, and the fact they were children together, it seems to be a reasonable assumption that he's the same age as the Doctor - but I can't find anything that says anything about his age!

(And no, this thought was not inspired by me trying to put together a profile of the Master so I can join in Becky's RP game. Not at all. I DON'T HAVE THE TIME!

Yeah. Tell that to the Master. *g*)

Comments

[smithy161.livejournal.com]

That line from the Five Doctors, "We were at the Academy together" suggests they were in the same school year. I suppose. I think it's safe to assume they're the same age.

I'm both enticed and repelled by the idea of RP. I'm almost tempted to sign up, but I'd be crap at it.

[unfeathered]

Yeah, that's the conclusion I've come to. It's pretty certain that they started off the same age - I'd just never thought about whether they'd both lived the same amount of time, if that makes any sense. But the fact that their encounters seem to take place in the same order for both of them suggests that they are.

As for the RP, I have no idea if I'll be any good at it. I'm very, very nervous. Especially about playing someone as clever and manipulative as the Master. Couldn't really go for more of a challenge, eh? But he keeps writing stuff in my head anyway, so I might as well go for it. When I have time and get up some nerve! *g*

ETA: Have to go and get ready for work now. It's our team Christmas lunch today so I have to go a bit early. Back later, if only briefly! :-)

[smithy161.livejournal.com]

Thinking too much about Time Lords and their timelines hurts my brain. They do seem to meet each other in some kind of order, though. I just watched 'The King's Demons' where the first thing the Doctor says to the Master is 'so, you escaped?' referring to their last adventure together... he doesn't even question whether this is a past or future version of the Master, he instinctively knows they're on the same timeline. But... since the Time War, the Master has only lived the length of one human life. The Doctor could be a lot older than that, since we don't know how long he's been Nine when we meet him. And we don't know how long Ten was hanging around the universe moping before he met Martha.

...*Brain falls out*

I'll probably give up and join in the game eventually. Tempted to play Martha or Rose. But I have RP issues.

Have fun at work!

[unfeathered]

he doesn't even question whether this is a past or future version of the Master, he instinctively knows they're on the same timeline.

I was wondering if this is what is meant by Gallifrey being 'outside time' or whatever the phrase is - that even while they're hopping about through time, all the Time Lords live the same timeline, so when they go back to Gallifrey or meet another Time Lord, the same amount of time will have passed for them.

That's complicated, but it seems to make sense to me.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_medley_/]

My vote is... 900ish. Because anything else makes my head hurt.

[unfeathered]

Yeah, that's sort of where I'm ending up in conclusion...

See my reply to Smithy above if you want the long-winded version! *g*

[morgynleri]

*finallygets around to checking her flist on LJ*

Ooo. *makes puppy-dog eyes* You are thinking of playing the Master? It would be very cool to see that... I know I'd love to interact with a version of the Master other than the insane evil genius in my head.

And the game is like co-writing a story, really. You let the characters interact and bounce off each other, and you only have to get into the head of one character at a time... (of course, if one is like me, one constantly has an urge to create another character.... and has to remember there are only so many hours in a day.)

But anyway.... *goes to wander back off to IJ and the game for a while more*

[unfeathered]

Um. Hopefully. If I can ever get up the confidence, considering how much of a bashing it's taken the last day or two.

I have to admit the Master's probably about the scariest character to start off with, but he's the only one who wants to play, so I guess it's going to be him. I just hope I can do him justice.

I've been reading your threads and am completely in awe. There's some really great stuff happening there!

[morgynleri]

It's fun, and... *whimpers* Now that I've seen you've contemplated playing the Master, there's this whole "I wanna play with that one!" going on in my head...

The Master is scary, but that's half the fun of it. Ianto is scary in my head, and he was the one I created first. And is the one I'm having the most fun playing, even if the one thread is frustrating the hell out of me.

*blushes* Awe is... making me squee incoherently at the moment. Probably a good thing the room-mate is off with her boyfriend tonight, or I'd have to explain why I'm bouncing.

[unfeathered]

I meant scary as in having no idea if I can carry it off - I've never done any RP before and it'd feel a lot safer to start off with a character who was as nervous as I am, iyswim.

I'm going to need a lot of help and guidance at first!

even if the one thread is frustrating the hell out of me.

The one with Becky? It may be frustrating for you, but I can tell you it's making for awesome reading! :-)

[morgynleri]

If you want any help, just ask, everyone's friendly, and will help! And if you want to lock a thread to a certain player or character to make the first one or two easier (as in you know vaguely what the Master's response would be to the character, or you have an idea as to that person's style of writing), do that.

*nods* Yeah, the one with Becky, with Jack and Ianto, and... *whimpers* I keep getting stuck! Though I'm glad it's making for awsome reading.

[unfeathered]

Thank you - that's good to know.

I won't be able to do anything till tomorrow, as I'm having an evening with hubby tonight, but I really do hope to have a go then.

And yeah, Becky's said she'll help me get started so I guess I'll play with her to begin with, which should make it easier as I know her well - but I'm kind of looking forward to meeing your scary Ianto, too... *g*

[morgynleri]

*grins* Should be interesting, seeing as my scary Ianto knows a Master, just not the one he'd run into...

Have fun, and it'll be very cool to see you come over and play when you get the time!

[smithy161.livejournal.com]

I've just discovered that the Doctor and the Rani are exactly the same age. (953 in Time and the Rani). I assume the Master is a contemporary of theirs.

Just some bonus info for you!

[unfeathered]

Thank you - very helpful! :-)