Compactata of Basel
The Hussite Delegate and the Council Bishop are signing the Compactata of Basel, a treaty that grants limited religious concessions to the Hussites, ending years of conflict.
Setting
Council Chamber, Basel Cathedral, Basel, Switzerland
Characters
Council Bishop
primary
A man in his late fifties, with a stern, commanding presence. His face is lined with age and authority, his piercing eyes framed by heavy brows. He has a well-groomed beard, streaked with gray, and a full head of similarly gray hair, cropped short in the clerical fashion. His build is robust, suggesting a life of relative comfort but not indulgence.
Hussite Delegate
primary
A middle-aged man of sturdy build, with a weathered face marked by deep lines around the eyes and mouth, suggesting years of hardship and conviction. His short, dark hair is streaked with grey, and his piercing blue eyes convey both intelligence and defiance. He bears a faint scar across his right cheek, a remnant of past conflicts.
Scribe
secondary
A middle-aged monk with a lean, ascetic build, his face marked by deep-set eyes and a furrowed brow from years of meticulous script work. His hands are ink-stained, and his posture slightly hunched from long hours at the desk.
Guard
background
A broad-shouldered man in his early 40s with a weathered face and a closely cropped beard. His hands are calloused from years of wielding weapons, and his stance is rigid with military discipline. His piercing eyes scan the room with vigilance.
Dialog
Council Bishop
By the authority vested in us by the Holy See, we grant this concession—but mark well, this is not a victory for heresy, but an act of divine mercy.
Hussite Delegate
Heresy or not, the right to the chalice for the laity is now acknowledged—a small step toward the true Church.
Council Bishop
Do not mistake temporary toleration for acceptance. The Church endures, while your... innovations may wither like chaff.
Hussite Delegate
Then let history judge whether wheat or chaff falls from God's sieve.
Council Bishop
Sign the document before I reconsider Rome's patience.