Nicola from Italy and Pauline from Germany join Alyssa for our discussion of Andrzej Sapkowski’s Baptism of Fire, Chapter 3. Very important bits include: the German and Italian translations, analyzing Sapkowski’s swordfighting through an experienced lens, his use of cutaways, the trustworthiness of Nilfgaardians, the ethics of violence and torture, first reactions to the Crossroads of Ravens teaser, the Everyman perspective in a supernatural world, contrasting views on executions, and killing with “mercy.”

• [0:00] Cold Open
• [1:08] Introduction
• [2:20] Guest Introductions
• [9:10] Chapter Recap
• [11:26] Overall Thoughts
• [18:08] Sapkowski’s ‘Crossroads of Ravens’ Sidebar
• [24:55] Milva’s Use of Violence
• [28:50] Cahir’s Trustworthiness
• [34:51] Faoiltiarna’s Torture Tactics
• [42:25] Nilfgaard’s Inclusion in the Lodge
• [46:02] Geralt’s Killings and Traditional heroism
• [55:23] Dandelion’s ‘Everyman’ Perspective
• [1:01:37] Dijkstra vs Vissegerd’s Executions
• [1:08:37] Closing Thoughts
• [1:12:10] Outro
• [1:13:25] End Credits

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