A Prior of the Ori, spreading the word of Origin.
A Prior of the Ori didn't identify himself by a unique name, but instead referred to himself as "a Prior of the Ori". Although human, he had some distinguishing features that identified him as a Prior. He had decorative scarification on his chin and cheeks and the pupils of his eyes appeared to be totally dilated and covered in cataracts, giving them an eerie white opaque appearance as those of a blind man. A Prior's hair was also made increasingly gray when he was given his powers by the Ori. Human men appeared to grow paler when converted into a Prior, giving them an ashen, death-like pallor.
Priors were missionaries who preached the word of the Ori from The Book of Origin. This religion was called Origin.
Powers and Methods
Priors were advanced humans who had extraordinary mental powers, including telekinesis and telepathy. If the powers demonstrated by Khalek and Ancients were used as a guide, they also had advanced healing capabilities (to heal themselves or someone else).
Orbed Staff
The Priors operated their orbed staffs with their impressive mental powers. The blue orb on the staff glowed when activated and appeared to amplify the Prior's powers. Priors used the staff to:
* resurrect someone from the dead.
* light fires.
* set themselves on fire.
* kill someone through suffocation.
* control Ancient technology.
* cause earthquakes.
* cure people of sickness.
* levitate or propel people and objects.
* transport a person's consciousness to the Ori home galaxy.
* curse someone into becoming a zombie.
* control Ori technology, including piloting the warships.
* communicate with other Priors through a subspace link.
Modus Operandi
Priors used various approaches to gain the people's loyalty. The most popular method was through the working of miracles. For those people who were impoverished after the fall of the Goa'uld, such demonstrations were often all that was necessary to be converted. The Priors were also quite convincing speakers who knew how to sway those who were unfamiliar with advanced technology or those who were already seeking the Path to Enlightenment.
If, however, miracles and words and the promise of ascension were not enough, then pain and suffering were inflicted. The Priors infected people with the Prior Plague and then offered the cure if the people would turn. This convinced many people and was one of the most successful methods until the Aschen developed a cure for the Plague.
Priors began sending the Prior Bugs to places that had the Plague cure already available. These bugs consumed vegetation, but when that was gone, they'd convert into carnivores and use people as their food source.
The Prior Bugs were most likely sent to planets where the people were emphatically against surrendering to the Ori. Some populations, such as that of Sartorus, were destroyed by earthquakes. The Priors also sent armies of their converts to destroy those refusing the Ori. In some cases, a planet, such as Kallana, was wiped out when it was collapsed into a micro-singularity to power a Supergate.
Priors also related the technical plans to build advanced weapons and ships to people who were not technologically advanced to build them on their own. One such weapon, a satellite, was used by one country against another as a means of forcing conversion to Origin). The Priors also assisted in the building and activation of the massive warships sent to invade the Milky Way.
Priors were the leaders of the groups of warriors trained in the Ori's home galaxy and sent to the Milky Way in the warships. Additionally, only the Orici or the Priors were meant to pilot these warships, interfacing with the technology through mental control and their genetic code.