Battle of Cortenuova
The Lombard League's forces are collapsing under the relentless assault of Emperor Frederick II's imperial troops. The Lombard Captain desperately tries to rally his men, but the imperial knights and
Setting
A vast open field near Cortenuova, Lombardy, with scattered farmlands and patches of woodland in the distance. The ground is trampled and muddy from the movement of thousands of soldiers and horses. The remnants of a small village can be seen burning in the background.
Characters
Emperor Frederick II
primary
A commanding figure in his early 40s, Frederick II stands tall with a lean but muscular build. His piercing blue eyes survey the battlefield with keen intelligence, framed by shoulder-length blond hair streaked with premature gray. A neatly trimmed beard covers his strong jawline, and a faint scar runs from his left temple to cheekbone—a souvenir from past campaigns.
Lombard Captain
primary
A rugged warrior in his late 30s with a muscular build from years of campaigning. His face is weathered, with deep-set brown eyes and a thick beard streaked with gray. A long scar runs from his left temple to jawline, a souvenir from past battles. His hands are calloused and grip his sword with practiced ease.
Imperial Knight
secondary
A battle-hardened knight in his late 30s, with a muscular build from years of combat training. His face is weathered, with a prominent battle scar running from his left temple to the corner of his mouth. His dark brown hair is cropped short beneath his helmet, and his piercing blue eyes scan the battlefield with disciplined alertness.
Lombard Soldier
secondary
A young man in his late twenties, with a wiry but muscular build from years of marching and fighting. His face is streaked with dirt and sweat, and he has a deep gash on his left forearm, the blood mixing with the mud on his sleeve. His dark hair is matted under a simple padded coif, and his beard is unkempt.
Imperial Archer
background
A wiry, middle-aged man with sun-weathered skin and a close-cropped beard. His forearms are corded with muscle from years of drawing bows, and his keen eyes are narrowed in concentration. A faded scar runs from his temple to jawline, likely a battlefield souvenir.
Dialog
Emperor Frederick II
Non spargite il loro sangue inutilmente – come Scipione a Zama, lasciateli fuggire col peso della sconfitta!
Lombard Captain
Testa di ferro! Rally at the millstones – form shieldwall or we're all dead men!
Imperial Knight
Pikes forward! Let none break through – the Emperor wills it!
Lombard Captain
Fredericus barbarus! You'd make slaves of free cities?
Emperor Frederick II
Servabo pacta cum civitatibus... sed non cum rebellibus. Their privileges die with their defiance.
Imperial Knight
Lads! The left flank buckles – press now and it's done!
Lombard Captain
By Saint Ambrose... retreat in order! Milan remembers her sons!