Читать книгу CVC Veri A Guide to the Epic of the Martian Empire - Lee CDN Streiff - Страница 8

The ancient Martian religion was polytheistic — and was complex and filled with not only a variety of gods, but other creatures as well.

Figures 1.6 A, and B: The Little Men, Skyhooks, and Varnish.

For example, there are The Little Men. In their spare time, these creatures act as messengers of KLONO. They are very mischievous, however, and as a result, NOSHABKENNING, the god of Space, does not permit them to move across space unless they are expressly on official business for KLONO. As can be seen in figure 1.6 above, they like to swim in cans of Varnish, hang on skyhooks, throw bombs and march in parades, among other things. Their favorite tool is the monkey wrench which obviously, they delight throwing into things.

Figure 1.7 KLONO, god of Planets and Justice. By James Streiff

KLONO, as the god of Planets and Justice was one of the chief deities (or OLIZ).

He is usually pictured in a dragon-like form. He presides over the Hall of Justice and is the god that spacemen invoke when landing on a strange new planet. Legend has it that he can only act within the confines of a planet; in other words, not out in space.

The proper form for an invocation for most deities and quasi-deities is as follows:

first, music to the appropriate god is played;

second the god is invoked by name and title

third, the message is delivered; and,

fourth, the ceremony is closed by a drink and then a toast.

Asking KLONO’s assistance requires a specific ritual involving an invocation dating back to earliest times.

This invocation begins:

In the far off dimness,

In the far flung mist of time,

In the starry hues and forms,

Wherein lie in peace and love

Of right and life and truth…

And concludes;

Let Truth reign in these portals,

Let Glory thus rise again.

Except in this invocation, he is rarely spoken to except in his capacity as god of Justice. He is regarded as being a stern god in respect to injustice, but good to those he favors, and he is absolute, uncompromising, and always right. He is the first day of the week.

Another of the major deities is NOSHABKENNING, god of Space. He is conventionally represented as a typical old spaceman. Whenever a new ship is built, it is dedicated to him, and each time a ship leaves port, NOSABKENNING’s blessing is asked. This god is tolerant of minor faults in spacemen, but is mercilessly vengeful of those, creatures or demons, who would attempt to sabotage or damage a spaceship. He is otherwise generally regarded as being kindly and looks with favor on those hardy souls who dare to defy interstellar space in their rickety crafts. He also has an important part in running Shultz’s Beer Parlor. Indeed, it is suspected by some that NOSHABKENNING may be an alter ego of Shultz, but this has never been proven. NOSHABKENNING is referred to in all matters pertaining to travel, fighting, and the drinking of Varnish. The seventh day of the week is sacred to him and is the day of observing proper ceremonies to him.

LAD is another major deity. He is the god of Time, and regulates all time travel. He also dictates the general policy of the Fates, who have charge of destiny — and are honored on the sixth day of the week. LAD is represented as an abstract entity rather than any type of creature. The Martian ideogram in figure 1.8 is his name in the Middle Martian writing system.

Figure 1.8: LAD

The fourth, and last, of the Chief deities is ONISBAR, the god of Knowledge. He is the patron saint of scientists and Artificers. His is the last day of the week.

Only slightly lowers in the hierarchy are those quasi-deities who have the task of caring for The Scroll of Eternity — the FAAS. Very little is known about them, except that they must truthfully reply to the requests of the higher deities, and, they are on equal terms with the other demi-gods, and in no way bound to them. Lower creatures only receive information from them when they so desire to give it.

There are also other quasi-deities (or FERNZ) who oversee the affairs of the different planets. Except on a few planets where KLONO is unknown, they rule wisely under the observance of KLONO.

The quasi-deity on Mars who fulfills this duty is feminine in form and is named ARLIMINI. ARLIMINI is thus known as the “goddess” of Mars — although it is the personality that is feminine, and no actual female function is referred to by the term. Thus, although ARLIMINI is naturally the patron of Martian women, she also represents Martian men on the council of the gods. She is also concerned with cases involving love, honor, or the destiny of Mars. Hers is the second day of the week.

The other planets of the Solar system have their own gods.

Among other quasi-deities are the spacial demons, of whom the best and greatest known is VERI. There is also less than savory quasi-deities who inhabit the spaceways and these are kept in check by NOSHABKENNING.

Each god has his or her own select circle of followers. These are especially active in their support off their particular god and, of course, receive special consideration from their god. Thus most spacemen are followers of NOSHABKENNING, and Martians are partial to ARLIMINI (the goddess of Mars) as well.

[Then there was James’ favorite character of all, and that was Veri. James liked Veri so much that he even wrote a couple of songs and a symphony for him. He called him CVC Veri and to this day we are not sure what CVC actually means in regards to Veri. According to James Veri was a quite friendly and loveable creature, but he did have a set of very sharp teeth. James gave him one eye which could represent that Veri was also a spiritual being.

Below on the left is a rendering of James’ Veri, back in 1940, and beside it is our sister Celeste’s later rendering of Veri in 2000. As you can see, each has an appeal of its own for Veri.

CVC VERI by James Streiff, 1940’s

CVC VERI by Celeste Streiff, Hammond, 2000