Ep. 115 — Chapter 9 from "Tower of Swallows"
Kitty from the US and Michelle from the US join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9. Very important bits include: Norse and Inuit mythology, Mean Girls Continent, modern magic, sources of power, being consistent in ideals but flexible in methods, sacrifice, cynicism, and repentance in the face of death.
This episode is available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
In this Episode
[0:00] Cold Open
[1:04] Introduction
[2:35] Guest Introductions
[7:00] Chapter Recap
[8:58] Overall Thoughts
[12:14] Power in Spirituality and Rationality
[19:49] Yennefer’s Cynicism
[26:21] Suffering and Sacrifice
[31:49] Yennefer’s Repentance
[35:03] The Impact of the Lodge
[41:46] Yennefer Sails into the Sednya Abyss
[50:52] Paths to the Tower of the Swallow
[59:26] Closing Thoughts
[1:06:25] Outro
[1:06:46] 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]
Special Episode! Witcher audiobook narrator, Peter Kenny, returns to Breakfast in Beauclair with English translator, David French. We’ll be recording on Sunday, February 1st! Submit any questions via Instagram @breakfastinbeauclair, the Hanza Discord at bit.ly/thehanzadiscord, or email at greetings@breakfastinbeauclair.com
[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 Sydna.
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 Michelle from the US call in for Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9. Join us as we discuss Norse and Inuit mythology, Mean Girls Continent, modern magic, sources of power, being consistent in ideals but flexible in methods, sacrifice, cynicism, and repentance in the face of death.
Without further ado, let’s get to our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Tower of Swallows, Chapter 9.
Discussion
[Breakfast in Beauclair stinger by Alex Berner]
Transcript to come.
ALYSSA (VOICEOVER):
Chapter 9 opens with a pair of conflicting epigraphs: a person’s account of Avallac’h at the Tower of the Swallow and another dismissing his story as superstition.
In Skellige, Yennefer and Crach an Craite debate her fate and Ciri’s. Bound by an oath to Queen Calanthe, Crach grants Yennefer freedom to act on the islands and she quickly turns her focus to building a megascope to locate Ciri. The only diamond suitable for her device lies in a local temple, set in the statue of its patron goddess, Freyja. There, Yennefer meets the high priestess Sigrdrifa and reluctantly agrees to pray. Her meditation becomes a divine confrontation that demands she choose between light and darkness, power and sacrifice. She resists faith and mysticism, clinging to reason and pride, until the vision twists into agony: Yennefer is tormented by memories of her childhood, guilt, and denial. When she awakens, the sacred diamond Brisingamen lies miraculously at her feet. A sign, perhaps, that Freyja has judged her worthy.
Yennefer calls around the Continent investigating the Tower of the Swallow. Crach recounts Skelligan legends tying Cintran royal blood to the sea and vows to uncover the mystery of Pavetta’s death. In search of answers, Yennefer sails for the Sedna Abyss, the same place where Ciri’s parents vanished, on a mission she fears she will not survive. Her ship disappears in a magical storm. Crach an Craite suspects that the sorceress’ disappearance, like Pavetta’s, was no accident.
Yennefer’s pursuit of Ciri has placed her at odds with the Lodge of Sorceresses, who seek to control the girl for political ends. Later, Triss Merigold arrives at Skellige, tracing Yennefer’s efforts and lamenting over the final conversation between them and Philippa Eilhart.
In the marshes, Ciri and Vysogota investigate the legends of the Tower of the Swallow.
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 and Caleb Buys 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 Sydna.
Special thanks to Kitty and Michelle for joining us for this episode and our international hanza for their support.
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