AtoZChallenge2015 - A is for Aslan, Ar

Greetings and welcome to day 1 of the AtoZChallenge 2015.

So during the AtoZ this year I am talking about fictional deities and demons, or rather deities that appear in fiction because some of them have a historical basis, but I am interested in how they have been used in a fictional setting.

Aslan

Aslan is a creation of C.S.Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia. He is a giant lion and the creator true king of Narnia. Aslan is the epitome of all things good and right.

In 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' he allows himself to be sacrificed in the place of Edmund and then, because he was an innocent victim, he was resurrected to help in the fight against the White Witch. Only to crown Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as the next rulers of Narnia and disappear, to return only when he was needed.

There are many parallels between Aslan and Christ and I remember seeing the animated adaptation of the book at a very young age and thinking to myself, 'Oh, he's Jesus'. He can, however, be read as a completely original character.

I remember liking Aslan as a child, but being of the distinct impression that he had to always do things the hard way. The one thing I really didn't like was in 'The Last Battle' when he judges all the animals and allows some into paradise and banishes others - I always thought it would have been much better if they could have seen the light and been welcomed too - but I've always been a forgiving sort :).

Trivia - "aslan" and "arslan" are Turkish for "lion" (via Narnia Wiki - who have lots more trivia as well)

Ar

Now, while I suspect most people will have heard of Aslan, I suspect not as many will know about Ar.

The Great God Ar is a deity from the 80s fantasy film "The Beastmaster", staring Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn and John Amos.

Ar is the god of the mad high priest Maax (Rip Torn) who you can see in the photo about to throw a child in the fire pit to sacrifice her. He controls the population of Aruk with fear, demanding their children and their obedience or he will bring down the might of the Jun hoard.

Ar seems to be a cruel god, demanding sacrifice and worse, but you do have to wonder if Maax twisted the religion to suit his despotic purposes.

I have loved 'The Beastmaster' since I first saw the film way back in the 80s (and no, not just because it has Marc Singer in a loincloth ;)). This is epic fantasy done right, but let's not mention the sequels.
It's available on Amazon in the UK and US (oh and if you search on youtube you might not be disappointed ;)).

Ar's Lament

Fanfic for The Beastmaster.
by Natasha Duncan-Drake

Ar stared into the great pool and watched as Maax lifted yet another child. He closed his eyes in sorrow at the child's screams, a tear rolling down his cheek. The madness had to stop.

Standing, he walked to the stone arch at the edge of the courtyard, wiping at his eyes. Barely had he finished when a naked, perfect child appeared under the huge stones and promptly burst into tears.

"There, there, little one," he said, creating a soft blanket out of the air and wrapping it around the crying little girl, "no one will hurt you here."

Sweeping her into his arms, he stood tall and began to carry her towards the gardens.

"I am sorry you have been so hurt, but here you may play and laugh and wait for the time your family are ready to join you," he told her, gently sweeping his large thumb over the girl's cheek. "What is your name?"

"Mara," she said, sniffing.

"Hello, Mara," he replied, "I am Ar, but I am not what Maax has been telling everyone. Once, they used to bring the sick and dying children to my temple. My high priest would use the gifts I gave him to heal those he could and help the others to their rest. Their twisted and damaged bodies were given to the fire so they could come here, perfect and whole, without pain, to live with me until their parents also passed over."

As he spoke he stepped into the garden and the little girl's brown eyes opened with wonder. It was always green here and the birds sang sweetly, and animals, some never seen in the mortal realm, walked among the trees. Children, too many children, ran and played on the grass.

"I am sorry I could not stop Maax from hurting you, Mara, I am bound by ancient laws, but, do not you worry, I have done what I can and, even now, a youth is becoming a man. He was marked at birth and he will be my instrument. He speaks to the animals like you will be able to do here. Would you like to talk to a unicorn?"

Mara's little mouth dropped open in awe and she nodded.

Ar smiled for the first time. Even if he could not save them yet, he would keep the children safe when they were sent to him.

So I know I'd prefer Aslan to Ar, but I have to admit to preferring The Beastmaster as a movie, even though I love The Chronicles of Narnia. Which would you pick to watch?

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