The Virian Chronicler

  This interview was conducted by J Scott Coatsworth of Liminal Fiction, a site specialising in promoting the speculative genres.  The interview as shown on the website can be found here: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com/author-spotlight-xanxa-symanah/?cn-reloaded=1 This is the text of the interview: JSC: Were you a voracious reader as a child? XSW: Definitely.   Due to having been read bedtime stories before I learned to read, I already loved books.   I learned to read ahead of most of my class at school and the teacher allowed me to skip some of those “learning to read” books because I didn’t need them.   As a child, I loved fairy tales and animal stories.   I think that’s probably what led me into reading fantasy. JSC: When did you know you wanted to write, and when did you discover that you were good at it? XSW: I’ve always made up stories.   I found out I was good at it when I got high marks for what was called “free writing” at prim...

  Image of Zuleiko Retnik made using Tengr AI image generator Name: Zuleiko Retnik Origin: Malvanian Appearance: Tall, thin, pale skin, pale grey eyes, shaved head.   Wears eyeglasses.   Dresses in formal black robes. Personality: Seems dour and unapproachable but is in fact painfully shy.   Cares deeply about his students, even though he can be harsh on them at times. Family: From the distinguished and ancient Retnik family.   He is in a relationship with Gydrhn Fendor, a teacher at one of the Virian temples. Strengths: Extensive knowledge of languages, cultures and customs. Weaknesses: His shyness, his undemonstrative nature, his tendency to be overly formal. Likes: Gydrhn, teaching, meditating. Dislikes: Social gatherings, loud people, anything or anyone disturbing his peace.

Image of Gydrhn Fendor made using Tengr AI image generator Name: Gydrhn Fendor Origin: Malvanian Appearance: Tall and thin.   Pale complexion.   Keeps her head shaved bald.   Wears a monocle.   Prefers to dress in masculine styled suits.   Sometimes wears black sorcerer’s robes. Personality: Quiet and dignified.   Can be assertive at times.   Very private person, reveals little about herself.   Has a wicked sense of humour, but only displays it around those closest to her. Family:   From the esteemed Fendor family of sorcerers Abilities: Skilled sorceress who excels in personal alchemy.   Very knowledgeable in academic and alchemic subjects. Strengths: Sorcery skills, mathematical and geometrical theories, voice mimicking. Weaknesses: Her guarded nature can make her appear aloof and unsympathetic. Likes: Teaching, meditating, spending time with her life-partner, Zuleiko Retnik. Dislikes: Dishonesty, violence, laziness...

Image of Emlyn Hawkins made using NightCafe AI image generator Image of Emlyn Hawkins made using NightCafe AI image generator Image of Emlyn Hawkins made using Tengr AI image generator Name: Emlyn Hawkins Origin: Atlantean (brought up as Malvanian) Appearance: Wild bushy grey hair and beard, pale skin-tone.   Short stature, slightly overweight.   Prefers wearing old tweed suits.   Trademark garment is a tartan cape. Personality: Friendly and approachable, though a little formal in his manners.   Good bedside manner (he is a healer!), willing to try new techniques.   Can be a ditherer at times. Family: All killed in the destruction of his homeworld, with the exception of his twin brother, the infamous Carpathian lawyer, Lord Claudio Scalani.   Grew up in a sorcerers' enclave, didn't meet his brother until later in life. Abilities: Various healing skills including faith healing, herb-lore and sorcery healing.   Also skilled in shapeshifting ...