Quote from: signoftheserpentRose did.

But only after looking on to the heart of the Tardis, and absorbing it's energy, becoming part Tardis in doing so, which if left would have killed her,

Quote from: jrientsNo.  No one has to remember that point.  It isn't mandatory that one is required to accept your point.  When playing with other people's universes the established canon should be an aid to kickass adventures, not a millstone round your neck.

You do if you want to play in the "Who" universe, otherwise you might as well have lightsabers and phasers on board,

Quote from: pathfinderapYou do if you want to play in the "Who" universe, otherwise you might as well have lightsabers and phasers on board,

Nonsense.  Things like how a TARDIS works or what Time Lords are or how many incarnations the Master has left are toys to be played with.  There's no reason to be a slave to pre-established canon, especially for a geek phenomenon as fluid as Doctor Who.  The Daleks had more than one origin.  At least three Atlantises were destroyed at least three different times in at least three different ways.  And with not much digging I can probably find examples of non-TimeLords operating the Tardis.  Adric springs to mind as one potential candidate, though I haven't seen an episode with him since the 90's.  

Anyone seeing such a universe as 'set in stone' is either not paying attention to the canon or obsessed with unnecessary details, the kinds of details that the writers of the show themselves adopt or waive as needed.  Why should a DM enjoy less freedom than the writers of the show?

Quote from: pathfinderapLucky the very fabric of space time is stretchy,
because those ideas would tear a hole in it,

Sorry, man, I was riffin' quick.

And as far as what Jeff says...I'm on board with it as a starting point and as an attitude to take with established universes. Totally. He's right. Doesn't mean, though, that you can't find an in-genre/canonical way to handwave the whole "symbiotic relationship" jazz, now, does it...?

Do you think Dr. Who (Possiably run with the Time Lord Rules) is the type of game that could be done well in a Play by Post setting?

Quote from: pathfinderapYou do if you want to play in the "Who" universe, otherwise you might as well have lightsabers and phasers on board,

This would be the same "Who" universe that had, over the course of its run:

Three different explanations for the destruction of Atlantis ("The Underwater Menace", "The Daemons", "The Time Monster").

Two different stories (The new series story 'The End of the World' and the old series story 'The Ark') showing the destruction of Earth -- In completely different ways.

A story ("Genesis of the Daleks") which retconned and altered all of the previous 'canon' episodes regarding the Daleks.

I mean, hell, those are just off the top of my head.    The series, running for 29 seasons now, never gave a toss about a consistent 'universe' -- that's part of its charm.   How is that at all a meaningful concept anyway, when you throw in time travel, alternate dimensions, Time Wars, etc.?

Have fun with it.

Since time travel was never the exclusive purview of the timelords anyone could get involved. doesn't have to be a tardis.

Quote from: signoftheserpentSince time travel was never the exclusive purview of the timelords anyone could get involved. doesn't have to be a tardis.

Thats true

Quote from: GMSkarkaThis would be the same "Who" universe that had, over the course of its run:

Three different explanations for the destruction of Atlantis ("The Underwater Menace", "The Daemons", "The Time Monster").

Two different stories (The new series story ‘The End of the World’ and the old series story ‘The Ark’) showing the destruction of Earth -- In completely different ways.

A story ("Genesis of the Daleks") which retconned and altered all of the previous 'canon' episodes regarding the Daleks.

I mean, hell, those are just off the top of my head.    The series, running for 29 seasons now, never gave a toss about a consistent 'universe' -- that's part of its charm.   How is that at all a meaningful concept anyway, when you throw in time travel, alternate dimensions, Time Wars, etc.?

Have fun with it.

That was really only a problem with the old "Who", not so much the newer "Who"

Quote from: Blue DevilDo you think Dr. Who (Possiably run with the Time Lord Rules) is the type of game that could be done well in a Play by Post setting?

yes, better diceless though

Quote from: pathfinderapThat was really only a problem with the old "Who", not so much the newer "Who"

At the point you say that you are rejecting part of the established canon because it is a hassle.  How does this position really differ from the one I am advocating?

Quote from: jrientsNonsense.  Things like how a TARDIS works or what Time Lords are or how many incarnations the Master has left are toys to be played with.  There's no reason to be a slave to pre-established canon, especially for a geek phenomenon as fluid as Doctor Who.  The Daleks had more than one origin.  At least three Atlantises were destroyed at least three different times in at least three different ways.  And with not much digging I can probably find examples of non-TimeLords operating the Tardis.  Adric springs to mind as one potential candidate, though I haven't seen an episode with him since the 90's.  

Anyone seeing such a universe as 'set in stone' is either not paying attention to the canon or obsessed with unnecessary details, the kinds of details that the writers of the show themselves adopt or waive as needed.  Why should a DM enjoy less freedom than the writers of the show?

I agree to a point, but you have to stick to certain canon, or it just isn't the "Who universe", the older show failed to keep consistency simply because no one tried, the newer show has changed that, so much of this problem has now been fixed, the new show being the only canon excepted to date,

But I certainly agree it is better to be broad open and very fluid in both playing and running this game, (just keep it rooted in the little canon there is at the moment, and this will grow with the show)

Don't get me wrong, my advice is not meant to be any form of Geek Slap,
but keeping it rooted will help retain the feel of the show,

Quote from: jrientsAt the point you say that you are rejecting part of the established canon because it is a hassle.  How does this position really differ from the one I am advocating?

I'm not rejecting established canon, because this is not excepted as  established canon by the people making the new show, (basicly due to many contradiction in the old show, some of which you have already noted)

Quote from: pathfinderapI agree to a point, but you have to stick to certain canon, or it just isn't the "Who universe", the older show failed to keep consistency simply because no one tried, the newer show has changed that, so much of this problem has now been fixed, the new show being the only canon excepted to date,

Accepted by whom is the whole question here.  There's nothing to prevent me from running a show based entirely on the old series, with which I'm much more familiar.  And intentionally futzing with canon can be a great way to trick out a game.  For example, what if the Master successful stole the Doctor's body, as he attempted to do in the Baker era?  That would leave a universe without its number 1 protector but with one of its greatest threats stronger than ever.  Throw the PCs into the mix and you have an adventure.

Jrients was right about Adric.  

It is possible for a non-Time Lord to pilot a TARDIS provided it's possible to learn, but it's a hideously complex subject, navigating time and space, so the companions who've learned have generally been ones like Adric, who, at least with math and physics, may hve been more genius than the Doctor himself.

The bond between a Time Lord and his TARDIS is an important element, but it's not actually the reason why it won't work.  A newly born TARDIS must be initially bonded with a Time Lord in order for it to survive (and for any of it's non-Time Lrod passengers to survive), but once that bond is made, anyone can use it in theory.  

The Doctor himself stole his TARDIS after all, and it was already a pretty old model by the time he got hold of it, meaning he was very likely not the first owner.  

So, in theory, anyone could come along an abandoned TARDIS, and provided the thing wanted to be used (remember, they are an intelligent being), it's very possible they'd be able to, especially if it felt there was no hope of anyone else coming along, as it's suggested in the new series that if left abandoned long enough, TARDISes can even die.  If they were a smart enough physics student, they could maybe pilot the thing pretty well.