More details are beginning to emerge on the Orii, set to be the new bad guys in the Stargate universe in Season 9 after SG-1’s despatch of the Goa’uld and the Replicators. The Orii – pronounced ‘or-eye’- are a group of evil ascended beings.
It appears that in the Season 9 premiere, Daniel Jackson goes into a coma and experiences a vision of the Orii in their distant galaxy. His encounter with these ascended beings leads to one of their number – a prior – coming through the Stargate to the SGC where he extols the religious dogma of the Orii and then immolates himself, burning himself alive without recourse to devices or technology.
Daniel warns doubting politicians on Earth that as ascended beings, these Orii have the appearance of genuine gods – and the Orii priors are beginning to be reported on other planets too.
Whether the actions of the Orii will prompt the ascended beings in our own galaxy – Oma Desala and the Others – to intervene remains to be seen.