The Sycorax are a warlike race of interplanetary scavengers. Travelling in a huge craft hewn from rock they terrify the planets they target and demand tribute in slaves. On Earth, they used blood control to apparently threaten mass suicide if their demands were not met.
The Sycorax leader carries a staff and deadly whip. Though ruthless and quick to kill, they also have an honour code which allowed the Doctor to win Earth’s freedom by defeating the Sycorax Leader in combat.