A Time Lord can theoretically live for an incredibly long time without regenerating, potentially billions of years.
This is because their natural lifespan is vastly longer than that of humans. However, there are a few factors that can affect their longevity:
Factors Affecting Time Lord Lifespan:
- Time War: The Time War, a devastating conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks, took a heavy toll on the Time Lords, shortening their lifespans and accelerating their regeneration cycles.
- Exposure to Radiation: Time Lords are highly sensitive to radiation, and prolonged exposure can damage their cells and accelerate aging, making regeneration more frequent.
- Mental and Emotional Stress: Extreme stress and trauma can also affect a Time Lord's lifespan, leading to earlier regeneration.
Examples:
- The Doctor: The Doctor, the most famous Time Lord, has lived for centuries and has regenerated many times. However, his lifespan has been affected by the Time War and other events.
- The Master: The Master, the Doctor's nemesis, has also lived for centuries and has regenerated numerous times. He has often used his regeneration ability to gain an advantage over the Doctor.
Conclusion:
While a Time Lord can live for an incredibly long time without regenerating, their lifespan can be affected by various factors such as the Time War, radiation exposure, and stress.
