Role: Doctor / Surgeon, Owner of Fondo Paradiso (Palermo)
Arc / Description:
Matteo Morello is an accomplished, highly respected surgeon originally from Palermo but long based in Naples. Known for his surgical skill and integrity, Morello becomes an unwilling player in the Mafia’s territorial and power struggles after inheriting the Fondo Paradiso estate from his late uncle. His primary loyalty is to his patients and to justice, not to the Mafia. Morello is drawn into conflict with Don Giammona and various criminal interests who attempt to seize his estate through intimidation, violence, and corruption. Despite threats and assassination attempts, he remains determined to honor his uncle’s legacy and maintain the property, even as he realizes the depth of the Mafia’s influence in Sicily and the limits of official protection. His story arc is one of resistance—forced to fight for his family and estate against both overt and hidden enemies, while struggling with the moral compromises required to survive. Morello’s actions directly affect the fates of Antonio, Dino, and others caught in the crossfire.
Outlook:
Morello is a man in his late 30s or early 40s, described as serious, meticulous, and usually impeccably dressed—often seen in a white doctor’s coat, or a suit when outside his profession. He has a pale, tired complexion, often reflecting the strain of his work and the tension of recent events. In surgery scenes, he is seen in a bloodstained doctor’s coat, with intense focus and calmness under pressure. His features are sharp and expressive, betraying his exhaustion and moral struggle, but he maintains a sense of authority and dignity. There is no vanity in his dress, but always neatness and order. When angered or threatened, his posture and gaze become hard and direct, with a latent determination evident beneath the surface.
AI Image Prompt:
“A Sicilian doctor in his late 30s, sharp features, pale skin, tired but determined eyes, dressed in a spotless white doctor’s coat or elegant dark suit. He carries a surgeon’s bag, with bloodstains from a recent operation. Serious, composed, and meticulous. Tension and intelligence in his expression, late 19th/early 20th century Sicilian backdrop, cinematic, ultra-realistic.”
Game Card Traits:
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Influence | 5 |
| Cunning | 8 |
| Brutality | 3 |
| Loyalty | 7 |
| Charisma | 6 |
| Combat Skill | 3 |
| Stamina | 8 |
| Notoriety | 6 |
Secret Trait:
Surgical Precision – Once per game, can save a mortally wounded ally or expose a hidden injury/weakness in an enemy.
Type: DOCTOR
Faction: Independent / Fondo Paradiso
Age Range: ~40
Relationships:
- Inherits Fondo Paradiso from his uncle
- Trusted by Antonio, Dino
- Frequent adversary of Don Giammona and Don Rosso
- Has distant ties with authorities (judge Genovese, police, etc.)
Scene Appearances:
- First arrival at Fondo Paradiso, encountering Rocco (tilanvartija)
- Multiple surgical scenes (saving Antonio’s life, treating Dino, etc.)
- Hospital visits and negotiations with authorities
- Confrontations with Don Giammona, Don Rosso, and Rocco
- Numerous estate management and investigation scenes in Palermo