Ori

Ori Ascended Being

Summary

The Ori (pronounced or-eye; alternate spelling "Orii") are a collective of Ascended Beings who manifest themselves in a wall of fire in the City of the Gods on the Plains of Celestis.

Stargate References

Introduction

Several million years ago in an unidentified galaxy, the human race known as the Ancients were called the Altera. The Altera lived in a society with other humans, known as the Ori. Both groups were advanced humans on the path toward ascension, the shedding of the physical form to become a form of intelligent energy (called Ascended Beings). While on this path, a philosophical difference concerning ascension caused the two groups to become enemies. The Altera looked upon ascension as a scientific process, while the Ori attached a religious aspect to it because ascension gave one more knowledge, power, and understanding of the universe. Because of this great understanding, the Ori called ascension the Path to Enlightenment. The Ori became extremists and eventually tried to kill the Altera. Instead of engaging in a war, the Altera fled. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1")

The Altera traveled for thousands of years and then found the Milky Way Galaxy. They called their new home "Avalon" and built a Stargate network. Five to ten million years ago, these Ancients' existence was threatened by a plague which swept through the galaxy. Some of the Ancients left the Milky Way Galaxy in the city-ship "Atlantis" where they found a new home in the Pegasus Galaxy. Some of them learned to ascend. Those who remained and could not ascend died of the plague. After this galactic devastation, there was a group of Ancients who used the advanced weapon on Dakara to reseed the galaxy with life, thus creating the second evolution of humanity. (6.22 "Full Circle", 8.18 "Threads", 9.02 "Avalon Part 2"; Stargate Atlantis: 1.01 "Rising Part 1")

The Ori eventually ascended as well, and they, too, created another evolution of humanity in their home galaxy. The Altera who ascended joined a collective called The Others, while the Ori joined in a collective in opposition to them. Whereas The Others established rules of non-interference concerning the "lowers", those in the corporeal plane of existence, the Ori promise to show their humanity the Path to Enlightenment toward ascension as long as they worship them as their gods and creators through their religion, called "Origin", which is laid out in The Book of Origin. The reason for these polar positions is that an Ascended Being is actually able to gain more power in the ascended planes of existence through the surrender of a human's free will. The more worshippers the Ori obtain, the more powerful they become. Any humans who refuse the Ori are destroyed. Those who surrender their free will to the Ori will not obtain ascension that is promised in Origin because the Ori do not intend to share their power. Not wanting to be corrupted in the same manner, The Others established their non-interference policy with strict rules which are meant to prevent any of their own from attempting to gain power through such destructive means. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1")

The Others knew of the Ori and their ways and thus decided to hide the existence of the second evolution of humans in the Milky Way Galaxy. For millions of years, the Ori did not know that the Alteran Ancients had created life in their new home galaxy. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Upon discovering what was left of Avalon on Earth and that it was linked to the Alteran Ancients, Daniel Jackson hypothesized the possibly of there being an advanced civilization of Ancients living as humans in their home galaxy. He thought that some of the Ancients who left the Pegasus Galaxy 10,000 years ago might have returned home to that galaxy far, far away. After determining that a piece of Ancient technology found among the treasures of Avalon in the Glastonbury Tor was an intergalactic communications device, Daniel asked that he attempt contact to see if there might still exist an Ancient civilization which would share their knowledge and technology. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2")

Unfortunately, Daniel's use of the communications device brought the existence of humanity in the Milky Way Galaxy to the Ori's attention. In order to gain more power, the Ori have decided to spread their doctrine, called "Origin", to the "unbelievers" in this "far off place". It is the dawn of a new age for the Ori. They've begun dispatching their missionaries, called Priors, through the Stargates and building spaceships with highly-trained militia which will lead a crusade in the Milky Way Galaxy. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Members of Stargate Command are now aware of the Ori and their intent. It is now part of their mission to inform the rest of humanity throughout the galaxy of the Ori and their doctrine — the doctrine which dictates that those who reject them will be destroyed. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Origin

"Origin" is the religious doctrine set forth in The Book of Origin. Within the book's pages are stories of people with whom a human can relate which show the advantages and disadvantages of accepting the Ori as gods. The icon of this religion is fire, something which gives off light and warmth. The fact that on Earth this icon has evil or Satanic associations in many religions prompted Daniel to wonder if the Ancients had influenced this negative connotation in order to identify the threat the Ori pose if they were ever discovered by Earth's humanity. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Because the Ori are Ascended Beings, they have great powers. The Ori used these powers by advancing devout human followers in their evolution toward ascension. These advanced humans, called Priors, use these powers to obtain human worshippers, calling them miracles of the Ori. The Priors have used these powers to both kill and resurrect on behalf of the Ori, but they are not aware that the promise of ascension is a lie. (9.03 "Origin Part 3", 9.05 "The Powers That Be", 9.06 "Beachhead", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1")

The Ori and Origin have levels of authority:

Ori Collective	The Ori themselves occupy their religion's highest placement, claiming to be gods and the creators of humanity. They possess tremendous powers and a greater understanding of the universe as Ascended Beings. Individual entities of the Ori speak of themselves in the plural which might be considered acknowledgement that no single Ori entity is of higher authority than another. As a collective, they manifest themselves in a wall of fire, seen from the balcony of a temple in the City of the Gods, and attended to by the Doci, the one who speaks the word of the Ori. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")
Doci of the Ori	When Daniel wished to talk with the Ori, he asked that he speak with the Doci, the one who speaks the word of the Ori. Daniel studied The Book of Origin and used the story of Egidius of Vil Dare to form his request — his "need to speak of things that can only be spoken in the light of the fire." Individual Ori entities take temporary possession of the Doci and use his voice to communicate. The Doci, however, seems to remain self-aware during this possession. Daniel conversed with an Ori directly through the Doci and learned of the parting of ways between the Ori and the Alterans. The Doci is an advanced human who has been given powers by the Ori, including the ability to read minds. The Doci knew Daniel's name and homeworld without Daniel's ever having spoken them. The Doci also knew of the Stargate address of a planet, P3X-421, which had an SGC presence there and sent a Prior to rendezvous with them. What other information the Doci or the Ori obtained from Daniel's mind remains to be seen. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")
Priors of the Ori	Priors of the Ori are advanced humans who have also been given great powers by the Ori. They are revered by the worshippers and the people bow to them when in their presence. Priors carry wooden staffs decorated with the symbol of the Ori and topped with a blue orb. This orb glows when the Prior puts forth his mental powers, perhaps amplifying them. Priors, along with their staffs, have the ability to heal and resurrect people, as well as cause their deaths by controlling the victim's breathing, resulting in suffocation. They have telekinetic abilities, command of fire, and the ability to interact with Ancient technology. They can also sacrifice themselves by setting themselves on fire, leaving no trace of their existence afterwards. The Ori have promised ascension to the Priors upon their deaths, but this is a lie. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3", 9.06 "Beachhead", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1")
Village Administrators	The Administrator is a human who is a religious leader and supervises the worship of the Ori within his village. He acts as judge, jury, and executioner if a person is thought to be "overcome" or a heretic. The Administrator met by Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran in the village of Ver Ager was promoted to become a Prior. This promotion was given to him directly by the Ori and advanced him in his evolution, giving him the powers of the Priors. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")
Human Worshippers	Humans in the Ori's home galaxy are apparently the second evolution of their kind, just as humanity is in the Milky Way Galaxy. These people are worshippers of the Ori and are not technologically advanced. Their level of development is similar to the Middle Ages of Europe. They are forbidden to explore the old burial grounds and investigate their own history because those acts would bring to light the fact that the Ori have been keeping the truth of their creation and existence from them. Heretics of Ver Ager have uncovered Ancient technology, including the intergalactic communications terminal and communications stones, and hidden them in various places in the village, hoping to build their numbers before challenging the Ori. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

New Age of the Ori

The new age of the Ori was started when the Ori became aware of the existence of humanity in the Milky Way Galaxy. They are eager to share Origin with these humans and offer the Path to Enlightenment, with the condition that they be worshipped as gods and humanity's creators. However, if they are rejected, the Ori are prepared to destroy the very lives which they claim they wish to advance. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Since the members of the SGC know that The Others (Altera, Ascended Ancients) have a strict non-interference policy, they realize that they cannot count on any kind of help from them. The Others, however, have seen the threat that the Ori pose and the possibility that the Ori could tip the balance of power in the ascended planes if they continue to gain more worlds in the Milky Way Galaxy. Because they are not certain what the outcome would be to engage in a direct confrontation with the Ori, The Others have decided to not interfere when one of their own decides to break the rules of non-interference and retake human form in order to help humanity in the fight. This rogue member, however, knows that he is no longer a member of the collective and will most likely not be permitted to ascend again. (9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1", 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2")

The Ori's first wave of the invasion into the Milky Way included sending their missionaries, the Priors, to various planets through the Stargates. After obtaining information on the physical characteristics of advanced humans, the SGC developed a device which was designed to emit a frequency which interfered with the Prior's ability to utilize certain regions of his brain which facilitate the use of his powers. These powers include telekinesis and telepathy, as well as great healing capabilities. The device was tested and, although the effects were temporary, they were long enough that the Prior could be killed. (9.09 "Prototype", 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1", 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2")

The Priors left behind overwhelming devastation: earthquakes, planets collapsed into micro-singularities, and entire populations wiped out by plague or pestilence. All of these were just the start, however. The Ori have completed their first working Supergate and sent their massive and powerful warships. The combined forces of the SGC, Free Jaffa, Tok'ra, Asgard, and Lucian Alliance are no match to the Ori's extraordinarily advanced technology. The key to defeating the Ori lies with eliminating them entirely, thus leaving no gods for the worshippers to follow and rendering their crusade in the Milky Way impotent. The research conducted by a formerly-ascended Ancient named Merlin might have resulted in the development of a device which cancels out the energy of Ascended Beings. The search for Merlin's device, the Sangreal, has begun. (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle", 9.20 "Camelot Part 2")

Ori-Related Articles

• Ori: Main Article

Introduction :: Origin :: New Age of the Ori :: The War in the Milky Way Begins :: The Ori's Crusade Ends :: Notable Characters :: Alliances :: Enemies

• Doci
• Priors of the Ori

Priors :: Powers and Methods

• Technology of the Ori
• Orici
• Ori Army
• Ascended Beings

Notable Characters

• Doci – There appears to be only one Doci. He is an advanced human with many powers given to him by the Ori. He met with Daniel Jackson and told him of the Ori's plan to enlighten humanity in the Milky Way Galaxy. Any individuals who defy or reject the Ori will be destroyed. The Doci commands the Priors and dispatches them to their destinations. He also is the leader of the militia being assembled which will use spacecraft to invade the Milky Way. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")
• Priors of the Ori – These advanced humans, given their powers by the Ori, do not identify themselves by name, but simply as a "Prior of the Ori". They wear grey hooded tunics and carry staffs decorated with the symbol of the Ori. These staffs are topped with blue orbs which glow when activated. It is possible that some of their powers come from the orb or are amplified by it. Priors have no qualms about self-sacrifice and those sent to the Milky Way through the Stargate know that their trips are most likely one way. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

Alliances

• None known

Enemies

• Ascended Ancients – The Alteran Ancients who learned to ascend have kept the existence of human life in the Milky Way Galaxy a secret from the Ori. The Ori consider the Ascended Ancients (The Others) as "evil" because they have withheld the power and secrets of the universe from "lowers". The Ori call them "selfish" for keeping their existence and power a secret from humanity. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")
• Stargate Command (SGC) - Now knowing the threat that the Ori pose to the free will and existence of all humanity in the Milky Way Galaxy, and possibly other galaxies, the members of Earth's Stargate Command realize that part of their mission will be to educate the many former Goa'uld slaves on the message of Origin and the false gods it promotes. They know that they cannot rely upon the help of The Others (also called the Ancients) because of their rules of non-intererence in matters pertaining to the corporeal plane. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")
• Villagers of Ver Ager - Heretics among the human population in the Ori's home galaxy have been gathering Ancient artifacts in secret. The investigation into their planet's history has revealed that there was a race of humans who predate their own creation. The existence of this older race of humans sheds doubt on the word and intention of the Ori who claim to be the creators of humanity. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")
• Free Jaffa Nation - Even though at one point the Free Jaffa were close to becoming a nation of Ori worshippers under the leadership of Gerak, the Jaffa have become Earth's closest ally because of the relationship Teal'c and Bra'tac hold with the Tau'ri. The Free Jaffa have a large number of Goa'uld ships and are spread all over the galaxy. They have an active role in finding operational Supergates and fighting space battles. (9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1", 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2", 9.19 "Crusade Part 1", 9.20 "Camelot Part 2")
• Asgard - As Earth's allies, the Asgard are assisting Earth with their advanced knowledge and technology. (9.20 "Camelot Part 2")
• Tok'ra - Still keeping a watch on the condition of the galaxy after the fall of the System Lords, the Tok'ra use their ships and network of operatives to locate any possible locations of Ori activity, namely the building of Supergates. (9.09 "Prototype", 9.19 "Crusade Part 1", 9.20 "Camelot Part 2")
• Lucian Alliance - The Alliance is a group of former smugglers and mercenaries who have acquired many of the System Lords' holdings, including planets and ships. Their massive fleets of Goa'uld ships are a plus in the fight against the Ori, but the individuals themselves are very greedy and selfish and have a tendency to end alliances once they deem them disadvantageous. (9.20 "Camelot Part 2")

Episodes

• 9.02 "Avalon Part 2"
• 9.03 "Origin Part 3"
• 9.05 "The Powers That Be"
• 9.06 "Beachhead"
• 9.09 "Prototype"
• 9.10 "The Fourth Horseman Part 1"
• 9.11 "The Fourth Horseman Part 2"
• 9.18 "Arthur's Mantle"
• 9.19 "Crusade Part 1"
• 9.20 "Camelot Part 2"

Gallery

City of the Gods in the Plains of Celestis	Symbol of the Ori on a Prior's Staff
Doci possessed by an Ori	The face of the Ori

Related Articles

Related Characters

• Dr. Daniel Jackson
• Doci
• Merlin
• The Others
• Priors of the Ori
• Vala Mal Doran

Keywords

• Altera
• Ancient Communications Stones
• Ancient Communications Terminal
• Ancients
• Ascended Beings
• Asgard
• Atlantis
• Avalon
• Celestis
• Free Jaffa Nation
• Goa'uld
• Lucian Alliance
• Sangreal
• Stargate
• Stargate Command (SGC)
• Supergate
• Tok'ra
• Weapon on Dakara

Other

• 6.22 "Full Circle"
• 8.18 "Threads"
• Stargate Atlantis

Related Links

• Solutions: Making a New Enemy

---

--DeeKayP 18:47, 1 Aug 2005 (PDT)