Xandrias: Celtic School of Magic & Mysteries

A world born out of Kaodhan's dream. Xandrias.

The name has echoed across Orbisalia, evoking reactions as diverse as those that desperately seek its secret location: the cybernetic organization MERCURY, threatened by this subversive institute that undermines their network of power. And the broken youth of the otherworld, dreaming that Xandrias is more than a handful of lies and crushed hopes.

For them, Xandrias is their last resort, a school of magic claiming to embrace people of all races, cultures or sexual orientation. No discrimination, no intolerance, no judgement. In a world where magicalbloods are hunted by underground black markets and enslaved by corrupted guilds -- for the gains of MERCURY --, all children can hope for is a safe haven, where they're not dehumanized into products, but treated as human beings.

The founder of Xandrias, an ex-Mercurian himself, knows exactly what that feels like. 10 years as an assassin would have been enough for anyone to curse the world as well as themselves for all the atrocities taking place on behalf of MERCURY. But Kaodhan has decided instead to turn against the supercomputer and use his knowledge of their system to create a better world.

Having been exiled from his homeland Deodara (Tir na nOg - land of the Tuatha de Dannan) from an early age, Kaodhan has no memories of either his family or his homeland. He knows what it's like to not belong anywhere, for home to be wherever he lays his head. And so, Xandrias was born out of this desire -- to make sure that no other child would have to follow his footsteps. And dear friendships formed along the way aided in building the village and Academy that would be named Xandrias.

Located deep in the heart of the highest mountains, amid wild rainforests hidden in mist, Xandrias is a land of unforgettable beauty. Its wild creatures and eternal summer are a sight to behold, guarded even by the Fairy Queen herself. Since the founding of the Academy, hundreds of students have crossed its great wooden gates carved with Ogham inscriptions, ready to brave the world.

And many more will continue yet, as the story of Xandrias lives on...

- Arcanum of Thorns by SK Lumen

Utopia vs. Dystopia

Nowadays we're more familiar with the meaning of dystopia than utopia. In fact we've become so familiar with dystopias that we read them in books, watch them on screen, and worse yet, see them in reality. We can tick off a handful of dystopias in media in a single breath. But utopias? At best they're a vague, unachievable ideal, and at worst people scoff in bitter cynicism that such a thing may ever exist.

As most writers know, the first step to changing our surroundings for the better is reflecting contemporary issues in our craft, exploring and exposing their every facet in a way that will hopefully raise awareness, and even inspire people to actively contribute for a better world, even if it's only a gesture of kindness, or standing up for the bullied or underprivileged.

But this active reflection of the external negativity into books is a double-edged blade. On the one hand it captures and directs our attention to that negativity. But on the other hand if our focus remains fixed to the point that we never move past it, it becomes problematic, stagnant, and even self-enforcing. When it's all you've ever known, you normalize the atrocities. You become numb, forget what it means to question things and worse yet, fear of dreaming beyond it.

The second step to change is moving beyond mere awareness. Instead of envisioning what could go wrong, focusing on what could go right. Presenting and exploring utopias in books can be very potent, opening people's minds and perceptions about societies on a global level. A lone writer with no ambition but with a unique utopian world might inspire one person who can set into motion a domino effect to inspire others, until just the right scientist, leader, philosopher, etc. might one day turn it into reality, hundreds of years to come. Words carry such great power.

Reflecting all that corruption in books has a function. It's a means to a goal, a way to challenge our heroes. After all, adversity sculpts the spirit, and stories exist because they contain some sort of conflict that, upon rising above it, give us a sense of relief and comfort and empathy. But I'm tired of seeing only worlds torn apart. There are more ways of inspiring and empowering people than always presenting worlds on the brink of destruction. Because it's teaching people that even if we emerge victorious at the end of our battles, the best world we can hope for is still one riddled with subterfuge, corruption, hostility, intolerance.

And this is why in my writing I'm so adamant about presenting utopian worlds too for a change. You can still have challenges - there will always be challenges. But I want to show what can go right. Unity, freedom, free access to healthcare and food and shelter. Diversity is a beautiful thing. When people lay their differences aside and unite, I firmly believe anything can be achieved. Wouldn't you prefer reading such a book, wondering how that could be achieved? How that life would be like? I know I would.

What are your thoughts on utopia/dystopia in books?

-Lumen