Battle of Ravenna
The Battle of Ravenna reaches its climax as French forces under Gaston de Foix clash with the Spanish-led Holy League army commanded by Ramon de Cardona. The battlefield is a chaotic mix of artillery
Setting
Open fields outside Ravenna, Italy, near the Ronco River. The landscape is a mix of flat plains and slight undulations, dotted with patches of spring wildflowers now trampled by thousands of boots and hooves. Smoke from artillery drifts across the battlefield.
Characters
Gaston de Foix
primary
A young but battle-hardened French commander in his early twenties, athletic build with broad shoulders, clean-shaven face with sharp features, piercing dark eyes, and short dark brown hair. A fresh scar runs diagonally across his left cheekbone from a recent skirmish.
Ramon de Cardona
primary
A middle-aged Spanish general with a stern, weathered face, deep-set dark eyes, and a prominent nose. His short-cropped beard is streaked with gray, and his muscular frame bears the marks of decades of military service. His hands are calloused, gripping his sword with practiced ease.
French Knight
secondary
A battle-hardened knight in his late 30s, with a muscular build from years of combat training. His face is marked by a recent scar across his left cheek, and his sun-weathered skin shows the toll of many campaigns. Dark brown hair, slightly graying at the temples, is visible beneath his helmet.
Spanish Officer
secondary
A lean, battle-hardened man in his late 30s with a sun-weathered face and deep-set brown eyes that have seen too many campaigns. His black beard is neatly trimmed in the Spanish fashion, streaked with premature gray. A long scar runs from his left temple to jawline - a souvenir from Granada. Stands with the erect posture of professional military training.
Wounded Soldier
background
A young French infantryman in his early 20s, with a lean but muscular build from years of campaigning. His face is streaked with dirt and sweat, and his short brown hair is matted with blood from a head wound. His left leg drags uselessly behind him, the thigh wrapped in a blood-soaked rag.
Dialog
Gaston de Foix
Per Iovem! Their center wavers — sound the charge! Cavalry to the left flank, now!
Ramon de Cardona
Mi capitán! The French horse threatens our artillery — redirect the pikes!
Spanish Officer
The Swiss mercenaries break formation, excelencia. Foix drives them like sheep to slaughter.
Gaston de Foix
En avant! Let their blood water these fields!
Ramon de Cardona
That reckless boy charges into death's embrace. Let him come — arquebusiers, enfilade at twenty paces!
Spanish Officer
Artillery spent, excelencia. Swiss banners fall back across the Ronco.
Gaston de Foix
Veni, vidi, perdam! Today we break Spanish pride upon our steel!