"We are beacons on the road to enlightenment." "No, you're dark-side intergalactic encyclopedia salesmen. But unfortunately, the home office hasn't been quite upfront with you."
Envoys of the Ori and teachers of Origin, Priors are governed by the Book of Origin, often carrying a copy with them to give to individuals or entire peoples. They can be distinguished by simple robes adorned with the symbol of Origin, ornate tattoos on various parts of their faces and a tall staff. (SG1: "Avalon, Part 2", "Origin") The iris of the Prior's eyes also turn pure grey and the pupil clouds over or vanishes, giving them the appearance of blindness.
In their view, Priors have been given the secrets of the universe by the Ori to spread the word of their godliness. Physiologically, the Ori have given them psionic abilities similar in degree to those of a hok'tar. They possess considerable telekinetic abilities, enabling them to choke and kill, manipulate the wind or pin someone to the ground. They are even capable of reviving the recently deceased. They can also inflict a highly infectious plague, and replicate the negative effects of the Ancient healing device. The staff they carry will light up while they exercise some of these powers, which may indicate that some of their abilities require technological assistance; however, they still possess great knowledge and power even without the staff. (SG1: "The Fourth Horseman, Part 2", "Arthur's Mantle", "The Shroud")
A Prior using his telekinesis to slam Daniel Jackson into the wall and holding him there.
Priors are given their position by the Ori. They are typically converted from loyal servants, such as long-time Administrators of the villages or the monks at the City of Celestis. The transformation process occurs at the City of Celestis where they gaze into the Flames of Enlightenment, the resting place of the Ori. If physical travel to Celestis is impossible or impractical, the individual's consciousness can be transferred there and the transformation performed through another Prior. (SG1: "Origin", "The Fourth Horseman, Part 1")
If a Prior is unsuccessful in swaying a people, is outmatched and unable to reach the Stargate, he is capable of self-termination by spontaneous combustion. They are not afraid to initiate this final act, believing that they will ascend upon their death, and it is assured that more will come in his place. (SG1: "Origin", "The Fourth Horseman, Part 1")
Priors are consumed by flame should they face capture or betray their masters.
Like the rest of the followers of Origin, the Priors are unaware that the Ori do not ascend their followers. However, they are extremely rooted the teachings of the Book of Origin, and convincing them of the truth is incredibly difficult, if not outright impossible. In the event that one should turn, the Ori install a physiological failsafe in the Priors, causing them to spontaneously combust if they knowingly betray the Ori. (SG1: "The Fourth Horseman, Part 2")
Their staffs are connected and Dr.Daniel Jackson used this to end the crusade by using the Ark of Truth on first the Doci and then the one-eyed Prior, revealing the truth to everyone in each galaxy, getting them to stop their crusade. (SG1: "The Ark of Truth")
Abilities[]
A personal shield protecting the Prior from weapon fire.
The abilities of the Priors are manifold, and stem from their advanced evolution and its accompanying increased brain function, a controlled form of Near ascension. Among their many powers, they have the ability to perform a variety of feats:
Infect a victim with an illness that quickly transforms them into an undead being whose sole purpose is to kill everyone around it. (SG1: "Arthur's Mantle")
A Prior being dispatched through a Stargate to the Milky Way galaxy.
The origins of the Priors are unknown but their first sighting was at the city of Ver Eger when Dr.Daniel Jackson and Vala Mal Doran were in the Alteran Home Galaxy. This Prior brought Vala back to life and healed her injuries after which they were taken to the City of Celestis. This Prior attempted to convert the Humans but later brought them before the Doci. This same Prior also discovered agents of the Anti-Ori underground at Ver Eger and killed him after which he attempted to kill Daniel as well as Vala but they were returned to their bodies before the act was accomplished. At the same time, a Prior were dispatched to the Milky Waygalaxy in order to convert its inhabitants to Origin. (SG1: "Avalon, Part 2", "Origin")
A valid defense was discovered against the Priors through the use of the Prior disruptor which prevented the enhanced servants of the Ori from accessing their powers. However, this was only a temporary advantage as given time the Prior was able to overcome the resistance and regain their abilities. (SG1: "The Fourth Horseman, Part 1", "The Fourth Horseman, Part 2")
When he was captured by Adria, Daniel Jackson was briefly converted into a Prior when she believed that she had won him over to the Ori's view. However, this was a deception arranged by Daniel and Merlin, with Merlin's mind protecting Daniel from Adria's influence while hidden in his subconscious, while a pre-programmed 'reset' cased Daniel to return to normal as Merlin's knowledge left him (SG1: "The Quest, Part 2", "The Shroud")
The threat of the Priors ended when the Ark of Truth's power was exposed to the Doci who transmitted the truth of the Ori to all the Priors within the home galaxy. The Ark was later used on a Prior at Stargate Command in order to transmit the same truth to the Priors in the Milky Way galaxy. (SG1: "The Ark of Truth")
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