Bonfire of the Vanities

Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service? This article is in desperate need of a revamp. Please improve it in any way necessary in order for it to achieve a higher standard of quality in accordance with our Manual of Style.

This article is about the event. You may be looking for the downloadable content.

"Silenzio, silenzio...Twenty-two years ago, I stood where I stand now- and watched my loved ones die, betrayed by those I had called friends. Vengeance clouded my mind. It would have consumed me, were it not for the wisdom of a few strangers who taught me to look past my instincts. They never preached answers, but guided me to learn from myself. We don't need anyone to tell us what to do. Not Savonarola, not the Medici. We are free to follow our own path. There are those who will take that freedom from us, and too many of you gladly give it. But it is our ability to choose- whatever you think is true- that makes us human...There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the way. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else."

―Ezio Auditore to the people of Florence.

The Bonfire of the Vanities was an event centred in Florence, in the year 1498, instigated by the Italian Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola; who believed that the Renaissance idea had corrupted Italy, and preached for a return to medieval life. Savonarola, after acquiring the Apple of Eden from a wounded Ezio Auditore, gained control of the city of Florence following the expulsion of the Medici using the Apple.

In the year 1498, Ezio once again returned to the city to find it in the grip of Savonarola and his lieutenants. Meeting with Niccolò Machiavelli on one of the Arno bridges, the two passed into the Oltrarno district of Florence and discovered the bodies of a contingent of soldiers bearing the mark of Rodrigo Borgia. Learning that the Apple only held sway over the minds of Savonarola's nine lieutenants, whilst the city's populous were controlled by fear, Ezio decided to assassinate the nine, whilst La Volpe and Paola brought the people of the city to Savonarola’s door.

Savonarola's Lieutenants

The first of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio decides to kill is the Painter who is found behind the Palazzo Pitti in the Oltrano District. He talks about how when he first became a Painter he thought he would become closer to God, but he was deceived by the Devil. He tells the crowd to burn all their pieces of artwork in fires. After Ezio assassinates him he says that he is sorry and that the actions that he did were not his own.

The second of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio assassinated was the Preacher who was standing outside the Santo Spirito Chruch in Southern Florence. He was speaking to a crowd outside the church and he was surrounded by armed guards. On his deathbed he claimed that he wasn't deceived by the Apple of Eden and his actions were his own.

The third of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio chose to assassinate was the Condottiero who is guarding the Ponte Vecchio. He spoke of Savonarola's cause to the people below and he said to lead the people into a new future. When Ezio assassinated him he claimed that he wanted more than wealth and power.

The next of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio chose to assassinate was the Merchant who was found on a boat in the River Arno. Ezio sneakily assassinated him and on his deathbed the Merchant said that sometimes people must be told what to think and he admitted that it was his fault.

The fifth of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio chose to kill was the Farmer who was found on the outskirts of the city of Florence. The Farmer spoke of how he cut other farmers food supplies, thereby the citizens farm animals had no food, thus cutting other farmers source of income. Doing this he cut Florence's food supply. When Ezio assassinated him he said he only wanted the citzens respect.

The sixth of Savonarola's lieutenants the Ezio assassinated was the Nobleman and he is found on a rooftop in the Mercato Vecchio in central Florence. Upon his sighting of Ezio he told him that he was best not to interfere and that he was curing Florence of its sickness. He then shouted for guards and started to run to Savonarola, but Ezio swiftly assassinated him before he could reach him. In his death he claimed that it wasn't his fault and that he was the victim.

The seventh of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio chose to assassinate was the Priest who was found on top of the Santa Maria de Fiore in the San Giovanni district. He preached to the people in favor of Savonarola and his cause. Ezio sneakily climbed up the building and assassinated him before he could alert the guards. In his death he said that he thought Savonarola had preached the word of God and how he led his flock astray.

The penultimate of Savonarola's lieutenants Ezio had to kill was the Captain Guard who was located in the Basilica di San Lorenzo. When Ezio arrived near the chruch he noticed that the surrounding areas were devoid of any citizens. When Ezio entered the churches courtyard he saw the Captain Guard. The Captain Guard revealed that the courtyard was a trap and he called the guards. After Ezio had fought off the guards he moved onto the Captain Guard and assassinated him. In his death he exclaimed that he wasn't himself and he should have of been stronger to resist Savonarola.

The last of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio had to assassinat was the Docton who was found in a courtyard in central Florence. He was protected by many guards and he offered free medical care to those who swore allegiance to Savonarola. After Ezio sneakily assassinated him, he told Ezio on his deathbed that he was intoxicated by power.

Savonarola's Demise

Ezio and his Assassin's allies meet outside the Palazzo Pitti and see Girolamo Savonarola addressing a crowd. He was using the Apple of Eden to command the crowd. Ezio the throws a throwing knife directly at the Apple of Eden which is in Savonarola's hands. When Ezio throws the knife an agile guard runs away with it and you see Savonarola losing his grip over the crowd. Ezio chases after the agile guard across the rooftops and kills him. Ezio then takes the Apple of Eden and therefore the Apple of Eden is once again in Assassin hands. Ezio then finds out after the people are once again freed from the grip of Savonarola. Ezio sees Savonarola being burned at the stake outside the Palazzo della Signoria. He sees Savonarola stuggle before the flames engulf him and he decides that no-one should die in so much pain and he then pushes through the crowd and assassinates Savonarola with his hidden blade. He then makes a speech saying that the citizens should be free and shouldn't follow him or anyone else.

Final Words

Lieutenant 1 (The Painter)

Painter: What have I done... What have I done...

Ezio Auditore: Your actions were not your own.

Painter: But they were! My own self-doubt let him hold me as he did. I am sorry.

Ezio Auditore: As am I. Non è una scelta che compio a cuor leggero (This is not a choice I make lightly). Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 2 (The Preacher)

Ezio Auditore: Your mind... I sense it is your own.

Preacher: Not all of us required deception to be convinced. I already believed. All I said is true.

Ezio Auditore: Nothing is true. Non è un compito facile il mio (This is not an easy thing I do)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 3 (The Condottiero)

Ezio Auditore: You wear a Noble's clothes. How is it Savonarola charmed you?

Condottiero: Wealth and power do not ensure contentment. I wanted even more...

Ezio Auditore: And now, instead, you have nothing. Questo non è che un atto dovuto (This is something that must be done)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 4 (The Merchant)

Merchant: What... What have I done...

Ezio Auditore: You tried to force devotion.

Merchant: Sometimes the people must be told what to think.

Ezio Auditore: No good has ever come of that. Benché il mio cuore sia turbato, la mia mente è lucida (Though my heart may be tormented, my head is clear)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 5 (The Farmer)

Ezio Auditore: You would have let your own people starve! And for what?

Farmer: Too long I suffered their insults. They called me simple and low-class... I wanted their respect.

Ezio Auditore: I'm afraid you do not have mine. Per quanto sia penoso il trapasso, lieto sarà il tuo sonno (Though the passing may be painful, it will be a gentle sleep)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 6 (The Nobleman)

Nobleman: I was a victim! It's not my fault!

Ezio Auditore: No. You made a choice.

Nobleman: He charmed me. With that... thing.

Ezio Auditore: Only because you allowed it. Lo faccio per il popolo (I do this for the people)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 7 (The Priest)

Priest: I thought he preached the word of God.

Ezio Auditore: I fear his sermon is a lie.

Priest: I led my flock astray... It's just... I wanted so badly to believe...

Ezio Auditore: We all do. Vedrò compiuta l’opera di mio padre (I will see my father’s work complete)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 8 (The Captain Guard)

Captain: Is this truly who I was? So proud and cruel...

Ezio Auditore: No. Savonarola bewitched you.

Captain: Did he? Or was it that I tasted power and found myself intoxicated. I wish I had been stronger.

Ezio Auditore: As do I. Mi rincresce, ma non c’è altro modo (I am truly sorry, but there is no other way). Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 9 (The Doctor)

Doctor: You have spilled the blood of a healer.

Ezio Auditore: No. I have spilled the blood of a tyrant.

Doctor: To command such power over the body, between this world and the next. It seems, I grew intoxicated.

Ezio Auditore: And now you grow still. La tua morte non sarà inutile (Your death will serve a purpose)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Trivia

• This is the second of two DLC's that came out. They are Sequences 12 and 13 (this one being 13).
• Through the whole of this Sequence, you will come across many battles between Borgia's and Savonarola's guards. If you decide to participate, they will fight each other and you.
• After meeting with Machiavelli during the sequence, go to the Palazzo Auditore courtyard and Ezio will see a vision of his family members with Eagle Vision.
• This DLC can be downloaded with or without the secret Templar locations. These locations feature the Palazzo Medici in Florence, and the Santa Maria Dei Frari and Arsenal Shipyard in Venice.
• 'Bonfire of the Vanities' bears some resemblance to the original "Assassin's Creed," as Ezio has to kill 9 lieutenants before killing their master, Savonarola. This is similar to how Altaïr assassinated 9 Templars before killing Al Mualim. In addition, the methods used by Savonarola, the burning of all books, art, etc., bear a strong resemblance to the actions of one of said Templars, Jubair al Hakim.
• If you don't do anything when Savonarola attempts to use the Apple on the people, Machiavelli will be the one who will throw the knife that disarms Savonarola.
• During the sequence, the sky in Florence will always be a dull grey color, and the civilans will seem to be more depressed, probably to suit the mood, and the city's corrupted status.
• Even after the player completes the sequence, some civilains will still continue to throw books into bonfires in the south part of Florence.