Ep. 103 — Chapter 6 from "Baptism of Fire"
Kitty from the US and Tracie aka Miss Magitek join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 6. Very important bits include: international ‘Baptism of Fire’ editions, Peter Kenny’s triumph, excitement for The Witcher 4, how Ciri fights for herself, the legend of Lara Dorren, our best Yzma impressions, perfect 10-year plans, parallels between the Lodge of Sorceresses and Dune’s Bene Gesserit, the mustache-twirling kind of evil, the absence of good, and Hannibal Lecter, gynecologist.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[0:48] Introduction
[2:46] Guest Introductions
[11:51] Chapter Recap
[14:25] Overall Thoughts
[23:36] The Legend of Lara Dorren
[28:06] Ciri’s Isolation
[36:48] Yennefer’s Choice
[43:16] The Lodge’s Ends and Means
[53:13] The Villains
[1:00:01] Good v. Evil
[1:07:45] Closing Thoughts
[1:14:03] Outro
[1:16:18] End Credits
Relevant Links
Transcript
Cold Open
Transcript to come.
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
Introduction
ALYSSA: Welcome to Breakfast in Beauclair, a global Witcher Podcast. My name is Alyssa from GoodMorhen, and I’ll be your host as you, I, and our international hanza accompany Geralt of Rivia and his destiny, Cirilla of Cintra, across the Continent.
[Announcements]
Sunday, May 4, 2025: ‘The Bounds of Reason’ short story discussion hosted by Kitty and Softie. Check the #witcher-book-club channel in the Hanza Discord for details.
[Patron Announcements]
Thank you to our patrons and our producer-level patrons: Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, Softie, Lisa C., and RedKite.
If you’d like to learn more about supporting Breakfast in Beauclair, visit patreon.com/breakfastinbeauclair.
[Episode Details]
As for this episode, Kitty from the US and Tracie aka Miss Magitek call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 6. Join us as we discuss international ‘Baptism of Fire’ editions, Peter Kenny’s triumph, excitement for The Witcher 4, how Ciri fights for herself, the legend of Lara Dorren, our best Yzma impressions, perfect 10-year plans, parallels between the Lodge of Sorceresses and Dune’s Bene Gesserit, the mustache-twirling kind of evil, the absence of good, and Hannibal Lecter, gynecologist.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 6.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER):
In Chapter 6 of Baptism of Fire, Ciri’s disillusionment with life among the Rats deepens. Haunted by nightmares and disconnected from the group’s reckless pleasures, she snaps at Mistle when pressed about her past. Their tension is interrupted by a violent ambush of a nobleman’s carriage, during which Ciri kills without hesitation. When the Rats threaten the noble’s daughter, Ciri briefly reveals traces of her lost identity as a princess.
Meanwhile, in Dol Blathanna, Francesca Findabair meets Vattier de Rideaux, head of Nilfgaard’s intelligence. With Ida Emean aep Sivney, a free elf of the Blue Mountains, the two elven sorceresses piece together Nilfgaard's interests: Vilgefortz, Yennefer, Cahir, Ithlinne’s Prophecy, and the connection between the towers of Tor Lara and Tor Zireael.
Francesca unveils Yennefer, compressed into a jade statuette during the Thanedd coup, and painfully restores her. Francesca and Ida update her on key events: Vilgefortz’s disappearance, Tissaia’s suicide, Francesca’s new queenship, Geralt’s survival, and the sweeping Nilfgaardian victories that have devastated the North. Francesca also reveals Yennefer is being hunted, accused of escaping to Nilfgaard after Thanedd.
Yennefer travels with Francesca and Ida to Montecalvo for the first official gathering of the Lodge of Sorceresses. There, she meets sorceresses from both Northern and Nilfgaardian realms. Philippa Eilhart outlines the Lodge’s aim to control political power through magic, proposing a controversial marriage between Ciri and Kovir’s crown prince to solidify influence.
As Yennefer shares Ciri’s story, the Lodge examines the girl’s Elder Blood lineage. Francesca recounts the tragic story of Lara Dorren and reveals how Ciri’s heritage ties her to powerful magic. The Lodge agrees that Ciri is central to their plans, while speculating on Emhyr’s fixation with her.
Meanwhile, Dijkstra uncovers a horrifying scene in one of Vilgefortz’s abandoned lairs: dissected female corpses, including pregnant women, and sinister tools suggesting intentions to experiment on people with magical abilities. The Lodge suspects Vilgefortz informed Emhyr of Ciri’s location, though Assire confirms she is not in Nilfgaard.
Yennefer, guided by Fringilla Vigo’s “friendly” advice, escapes Montecalvo by teleporting, leaving the Lodge stunned. Elsewhere, Nilfgaardian spy, Stefan Skellen hires Bonhart, a brutal bounty hunter, to track down and eliminate Ciri and the Rats.
Transcript to come.
Outro & Credits
[Breakfast in Beauclair theme music by Alex Berner]
ALYSSA: Thanks for joining us at the breakfast table! For show notes, transcripts of each episode, and a complete list of our social platforms and listening services, head over to breakfastinbeauclair.com.
Breakfast in Beauclair is created by Alyssa from GoodMorhen. It’s hosted by Alyssa. The show is edited by Alyssa with music by Alex Berner.
Breakfast in Beauclair is produced by Alyssa in New York City with Katie (The Redhead of Toussaint), Jacob B., Charlotte from Vengerberg Glamarye, The Original Roach, Libby, John of Ryblia, Tom from Australia, Jill Cate, The Tabby Witch, Olle from Sweden, James Carson III, Miriam of Temeria, Softie, Lisa C., and RedKite.
Special thanks to Charli, Gintare, and Gosia for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
Transcriptionist: Charlie Lim
Editor: John Matthew Sarong, Krizia Marrie Casil