Cimmerian Cimmerian was a race of healers hiding underground on the planet Cimmeria IV . The group was an offshoot of the Solarian race , and was totally blind . Biology . Cimmerians were described by the Eighth Doctor as child - like , standing about a metre tall , with whitish - grey skin . Their faces had very flat and simple noses . Their eyes were dark and flat . Having lived in darkness for generations , the Cimmerians had lost all concept of eyesight . Instead of " seeing " something , they would instead " taste " it . ( AUDIO : " Embrace the Darkness " ) Powers . The Cimmerians had a strong level of telekinesis at a molecular level . This included the ability to pass their bodies or the bodies of others through solid materials , including concrete and rock . Their telekinesis also allowed them to heal wounds . Given enough strength and energy they could heal any injury and even rebalance the minds of the insane . Their race had a compulsion to use their healing power on anyone suffering from hurt or disease , to the point that the Cimmerians would exhaust themselves before stopping . In extreme cases they would continue healing until they died . ( AUDIO : " Embrace the Darkness " ) Technology . The Cimmerians had the means to project particles of an unknown type that would " take the light . " These particles would disrupt electronics and could drain power reserves . Heavy concentrations of these particles would also burn out the eyes of people exposed to them . The ROSM AI / ship had a means to counter the particles ' spread and effect . Their data storage was an organic liquid matrix that would invoke the desired memories / thoughts when ingested . Reading their records required a person to eat a soup - like substance and " taste " the memories . ( AUDIO : " Embrace the Darkness " ) History . In ancient times the Cimmerians were merely a talented sub - group of the Solarian race . They freely offered their healing services for the good of the people . The race was hit by a plague that could not be cured by healing . As the plague spread , more and more victims came to the healers for help , and the healers soon found themselves overwhelmed and stretched beyond their ability to recover . They recognised that they must flee or their compulsion to heal would drive them to their deaths . However , the plague victims followed them . Eventually the fleeing healers landed on Cimmeria IV and projected a cloud of particles large enough to blot out the Cimmerian sun . The Solarians ' sail craft couldn ' t follow without the sunlight , and the healers were lost to them . Over many generations the healers hid in the darkness , afraid of being found by the Solarians . They evolved enough that they forgot the concept of sight , and switched to taste as their central sense . A Throxillian company believed Cimmeria IV was a prime target for mining , with substantial mineral wealth and no native life . They established a base on the planet and built a set of mini - suns in orbit around the planet , powered by a set of Energy Projection Units on the surface . Fearing the light of the suns would lead to their immediate re - discovery by the Solarians , the Cimmerians sabotaged the EPUs and blacked out the base . A distress signal from the base brought the ROSM rescue ship , bearing the Eighth Doctor and Charley . ROSM ' s assault units subdued the Cimmerians long enough for the Doctor to realign and activate the mini - sun system . The Solarians , finding the planet to be newly lit , swiftly returned and took umbrage at the human presence . They were astonished to find that their brethren were still alive , and quickly dropped hostilities . The Cimmerians were given that name by the humans on the Cimmeria IV base . They considered themselves Solarians . ( AUDIO : " Embrace the Darkness " )