The Silence (Church of the Silence)

Lore & Background

Their origins are shrouded in mystery, but they claim to be the guardians of a specific timeline where humanity never discovers time travel. They believe that if humans learn how to traverse time, it will lead to the destruction of Earth and the universe itself. To enforce this, they have manipulated human history for centuries, orchestrating events like the assassination of the President of the United States and the creation of the Impossible Astronaut to ensure their prophecy comes true.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the cobblestones of London, reflecting the gaslight that flickered against the night. A man in a black robe stood by the alleyway entrance, his face pale and hairless, eyes wide with an unsettling intensity. He watched the woman walk past, her umbrella tilted against the drizzle. As she glanced at him, her eyes widened in horror, but then she blinked. The moment her gaze shifted to the puddle, the memory of the man vanished from her mind as if it had never existed. She continued walking, unaware that he was now standing directly behind her, whispering a warning about the end of time.

Reader's Guide

The Silence originated from a future where humanity's discovery of time travel led to catastrophic consequences. Their primary goal is to ensure this future never happens by manipulating events in the past to keep humans ignorant of temporal mechanics. Their hierarchy is loose but effective, with a central leadership known as 'The Church' that coordinates global operations. They often work through proxies and human agents who are unaware of their true allegiance, using psychological manipulation rather than brute force. Major conflicts with the Doctor arise from his role as a time traveler. The Silence view him as the ultimate threat to their mission and have repeatedly attempted to assassinate or neutralize him. Their most significant confrontation occurred during the events surrounding the Pandorica Alliance and the Fall of the Eleventh Doctor.

Did You Know?

• The Silence can only be remembered while they are in your direct line of sight; looking away causes immediate amnesia regarding their presence.
• They are not actually silent; they speak normally, but their name refers to the silence that follows when people forget them.
• Their faces are often described as resembling human skulls or masks, adding to their eerie and unsettling appearance.