Prior - SCIFIPEDIA

Prior

<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

A Prior is a human chosen by The Ori to lead other humans in their worship in the science fiction series, Stargate SG-1. The Ori are ascended beings who demand humans worship them as gods. Each prior has been transformed by the Ori to become an advanced human with immense powers and the capability of performing miracles as proof of the power of the Ori.

1 Background
2 Abilities
3 Doci
4 Key Episodes
5 Also See

Background

The Ori and their Priors originate beyond the Milky Way Galaxy. For several million years, the existence of humans in the Milky Way was kept from them by the Ascended Ancients who were responsible for human life in the galaxy. When the existence of human life was revealed by Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran, the Ori became determined to convert all humans to Origin, the worship of the Ori.

By the rules of the Ascended, the Ori are not permitted to take any direct actions in the Milky Way. Their followers however, are free to do so without breaking any rules or incurring actions from the Ascended Ancients. As a result, Priors appeared on several planets in The Milky Way, as a precursor to a full crusade, to spread Origin and warn against defiance.

Becoming a prior is a reward for loyalty and devotion to Origin. During the transformation process from ordinary human to an advanced state, Priors take on a new appearance. They lose color in their hair and skin taking on a gray, death-like pallor. Their eyes become pale and milky as well. Several markings appear on their skin and an indentation appears between the eyes. Their appearance can be terrifying and intimidating.

In addition to a change in appearance, Priors are granted powers that come from being able to access greater brain power. It has been theorized that these powers are similar to those gained during the Ascension process as seen in the episode "Prototype" When Khalek gained powers of telepathy and telekinesis. Built into each prior is a fail safe. Should they defy the Ori or become captured, they may burst into flames as seen in the case of Gerak in "The Fourth Horseman"

Each Prior carries a long staff topped with a blue orb that glows when used. The staff enhances and amplifies the power of the prior allowing them to extend their powers over vast areas, even to level whole cities.

Despite increased knowledge and great power, the Priors are not granted all the knowledge of the Ori. As a result, they are unaware of their true motives and genuinely believe the Ori's promise of Ascension for their followers. Their faith is unswerving and they truly believe all who do not believe should be killed.

This faith is largely built on the fact that the Ori truly possess great power as ascended beings and ascension is very real. The Ori are not truly gods, however. They have a greater understanding of the universe and can use that knowledge to manipulate the physical world and the lives of those in it.

According to Orlin, the Ori do not truly ascend their followers. The devotion of their followers increases their own power. To Ascend humans as they promise, would mean sharing that power.

Abilities

In addition to the basic telekinetic abilities and limited telepathy, the priors are capable of much more.

In the "Fourth Horseman" a prior creates a plague that infects and entire village and kills several people. Once they decided to accept the Ori, the Prior sent out a wave of energy, healing the sick and resurrecting the dead. The plague, similar to the one that killed many Ancients several million years ago, was created using the prior's own DNA and is highly infectious, fast acting, and difficult to cure. Without the help of Gerak and Orlin it is likely this plague would have wiped out the population of Earth.
Pyrokenisis is a commonly seen ability. Priors have been seen to raise flames, a symbol of the Ori, to inspire fear and as a defense.
Their telekinetic abilities allow them to stop bullets mid-air, and easily defend against any physical attacks. In the episode "Beachhead" a Prior throws several Jaffa into the distance, perhaps several miles or more.
Also in "Beachhead", a Prior was seen to create and energy absorbing force field. It can be presumed that his abilities were being amplified by other means via the open Stargate. He was also able to survive inside the force field without Oxygen.
In the episode "Arthur's Mantle" A prior, using energy similar to that of the Ancient healing cube, transformed Volnek into a murderous Zombie-like creature.

Using information gained from observing Khalek, the SGC was able to create a device that could temporarily disable the superhuman abilities of the Priors. The device used ultrasonic frequencies that denied the Prior access to the regions of the brain responsible for their abilities. The effect was not lasting and they were able to regain their abilities within a short time.

Doci

In addition to the Priors, who act as Priests among the people, the Ori have an even higher human representative in the Doci. The Doci speak for the Ori who do not communicate directly with their followers. The Doci can be possessed by an Ori when they wish to communicate. The Doci's eyes glow during the process and after the event they feel blessed by the experience.