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 primary school (I think you call it el

  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 and injustice.

Image of Emlyn Hawkins made using Tengr AI image generator Image of Emlyn Hawkins made using League of Legends Avatar Creator @  https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/events/avatar-creator#/ 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 and alchemy.