Treaty of Tolentino
Napoleon Bonaparte and Cardinal Mattei, representing France and the Papal States respectively, are signing the Treaty of Tolentino in the grand salon of Palazzo Parisani Bezzi. The treaty formalizes t
Setting
The grand salon of Palazzo Parisani Bezzi in Tolentino, Italy. The room is adorned with frescoes and gilded moldings, a testament to the wealth and power of its owners. A large rectangular table dominates the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Tall windows line one wall, offering a view of the winter landscape outside.
Characters
Napoleon Bonaparte
primary
A short but imposing figure in his late twenties, with sharp facial features, piercing gray-blue eyes, and dark brown hair cropped short in the military style. His posture radiates authority despite his modest height, with broad shoulders and a compact, muscular build honed by years of campaigning.
Cardinal Mattei
primary
A man in his early 60s with a gaunt, ascetic face framed by thinning grey hair. His sharp nose and deep-set eyes give him an appearance of weary intelligence. His posture is naturally bent from years of study, but he carries himself with the dignity expected of a papal legate.
French Secretary
secondary
A middle-aged man with a sharp, angular face and neatly combed dark hair. His posture is upright, exuding an air of quiet confidence. His hands move with precision as he records the proceedings.
Papal Notary
secondary
A middle-aged man with a gaunt face and thinning gray hair, his hands slightly trembling as he holds the quill. His eyes are downcast, avoiding direct contact with the French delegation, and his posture is hunched as if bearing an invisible weight.
French Guard
background
A young, lean French soldier in his mid-20s with a sharp jawline and close-cropped dark hair. His piercing blue eyes scan the room with military precision, and his posture is rigid with discipline. A faint scar runs along his left cheekbone, a testament to past battles.
Dialog
Napoleon Bonaparte
Article Three stands unchanged - Bologna, Ferrara, and the Romagna will be ceded to the French Republic. This is not negotiable - not negotiable, Your Eminence.
Cardinal Mattei
Though it pains us deeply to relinquish territories consecrated to the Holy See for centuries... circumstances compel us to... consider this provision.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Consider? No. Sign. The alternative is Rome itself occupied by my troops - and you know perfectly well how that chess match would end.
Cardinal Mattei
The Raphael frescoes from the Vatican... surely the Republic would permit copies to be made before their removal to Paris?
Napoleon Bonaparte
The originals will travel intact - France deserves nothing less than what your Borgia predecessors stole from the world.
Cardinal Mattei
May God forgive us this day...
Napoleon Bonaparte
God favors the victorious, Your Eminence. The ink awaits.