Ori

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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

Millions upon millions of years ago in an unidentified galaxy, the human race known as the Ancients were called the Altera. They left their home galaxy and found the Milky Way and decided to make a new home there. They called this 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 to a higher plane of existence, shedding their physical bodies and becoming a form of intelligent energy (called Ascended Beings). 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 galaxy the Alterans left behind those millions upon millions of years ago was not left unpopulated. There were others who also learned to ascend. Those Ascended Beings came to be known as the Ori. Currently, the assumption is that the Ori were once human like the Alterans, but the nature of the relationship between these humans and the Alterans at the point when the Alterans left is not known. (9.03 "Origin Part 3")

The Ori's philosophy is nearly a direct opposite of that of the Ascended Ancients (also known as The Others). Whereas The Others established rules of non-interference concerning the "lowers", those in the corporeal plane of existence, the Ori believed that it was their destiny to show the lowers the Path to Enlightenment (ascension) and share the knowledge of the universe with them. They felt it only fair that in giving this enlightenment that the humans in turn show reverence toward them and their power and worship them as gods. If a human repudiated the Ori as his gods, he was placed in a sacrificial fire where either his soul was found true and allowed to join the Ori or his existence was reduced to dust. (6.22 "Full Circle", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

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. In the meantime, the Ori apparently created their second evolution of humanity in the same manner and at basically the same time. They wrote a book, The Book of Origin, as a holy scripture to keep their human population under control. In this book, the Ori say that their position as humanity's creators gives them the power of gods and that they should be treated as such. (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. Because they believe that all humanity is their creation, the Ori have decided to spread their doctrine, called "Origin", to the unbelievers. 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")

Stargate Command and the Free Jaffa Nation are now aware of the Ori and their intent. It is now 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. These powers have been demonstrated by Ascended Beings such as Oma Desala, Shifu, Orlin, and even Daniel, when he was ascended himself. Daniel is also aware of the "infinite" knowledge of the Ancients which includes a greater understanding of the universe. He discovered that this vast knowledge was buried in his subconscious mind, a gift left to him by Oma upon his return to human form, but after his second ascension, it is possible that this knowledge was erased by The Others before he was returned to human form once again (whether or not Daniel possesses this knowledge has not yet been addressed). The Others and the Ori possess this vast knowledge and power and it is the difference in their philosophies on how much to use and share that knowledge and power which separates them. (3.20 "Maternal Instinct", 4.17 "Absolute Power", 5.03 "Ascension", 5.21 "Meridian", 6.06 "Abyss", 6.19 "Changeling", 6.22 "Full Circle", 7.01 "Fallen Part 1", 8.16 "Reckoning Part 1", 8.17 "Reckoning Part 2", 8.18 "Threads", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

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. It is possible that this is how Priors ascend. (9.02 "Avalon Part 2", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")
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 of 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")

Prior
 This Prior was the first Ori representative in the Milky Way Galaxy, sent by the Doci to the planet with the designation of P3X-421. This planet was populated by the former slaves of a Goa'uld who had been overthrown. The SGC had an anthropologist, Dr. Lindsay, working with these people so that they could carry on independently. The Prior told wonderful stories and performed miracles to gain the people's interest in Origin. The Doci learned of this planet from Daniel's mind and knew that the SGC would take interest in the Prior and take him back to the base to help in severing Daniel and Vala from the psychic link they had with the married couple Harrid and Sallis in the Ori's home galaxy. The Prior enthusiastically shared Origin with Gerak, the new leader of the Free Jaffa Nation, because Gerak said that the Jaffa had long been interested in enlightenment (through the reverence of Kheb and Ascended Beings). But, when Daniel and Vala temporarily got the link going both ways and awoke long enough to warn Dr. Lam and Dr. Lee of the Ori threat, the Prior, realizing he had no other means of escape, set himself on fire, leaving no traces of himself behind. (3.20 "Maternal Instinct", 5.18 "The Warrior", 9.03 "Origin Part 3")

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")

Episodes

Gallery

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

Related Articles

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

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