When TIME LORD was released in 1991, no comprehensive character generation rules were provided for the game system.  Though there was a simple system in one of the appendices of the book, it really was no more than a method of translating yourself into a set of characteristics to allow you to play yourself in the game.  Though this was a rather intriguing concept, it fell short of being a true character generation system.

Enter Ian Marsh, one of the authors of TIME LORD.  At the time TIME LORD was released to the Internet as freeware, he also produced a comprehensive update of his original character generation rules from the published volume.  This system allowed the creation of companions for The Doctor that weren't necessarily the person who was playing the game.  This was a step in the right direction, but something more was needed.

That something more came from Allen Shock in the form of a point-based character generation system for creating both Gallifreyan (used instead of Time Lord to avoid confusion) and companion characters as well as allowing for the creation of alien characters as well.  This was good, but there was some things that were missing from that system, just as there were some things missing from Ian Marsh's system.

So what is The TIME LORD Companion?  In simple language, The TIME LORD Companion is an amalgam of Allen Shock's point-based character generation rules, with modifications made to point costs to reflect Ian Marsh's equipment rules in his character generation system as well as usage of Ian's experience rules.  The last thing required to make the new combined systems actually work was the one thing that the original rules really did not handle all that well: regeneration.

The original rules, as designed, did not go into great detail about regeneration simply because it was assumed that the player would be portraying The Doctor instead of another Gallifreyan renegade.  In order to fix this, the regeneration table from the book Doctor Who and the Rebel's Gamble was modified and added to the new blended character generation rules, with both rules and revised table being designed around the "Beat the Difference" mechanic in the original game rules.

The end result is a character generation rule set, that though not adhering totally to the "Beat the Difference" mechanic, is very sound, very usable, and allows the creation of any being the players may desire.  Gallifreyans, humans, and alien races not described in the basic rulebook can all be created using these rules.

But see for yourself.  Select any of the buttons on the left to view or save The TIME LORD Companion: Express Edition in one of three formats: HTML, ASCII text, or PDF.  PDF format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, and can be acquired by going to the miscellaneous stuff page.