Guard captain (Piagnone)

I wanted to ask you something. Which is... what's your name? This article title is conjecture. Although the article subject is canon, no official name for it has been given.

"Every day without fail, another of you approaches. Nonconformists. Malcontents. Revolutionaries. Rebelli. I've seen and heard it all. Just excuses."

―The Guard Captain.

The Guard Captain (unknown - 1497) was the leader of the Florentine guards. In 1497, Girolamo Savonarola gained his service as one of his nine lieutenants.

The Guard Captain was killed by the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze later that same year, weakening Savonarola's control over Florence.

Biography

Rise to power

Sometime between 1494 and 1497, the Guard Captain met Girolamo Savonarola and, drawn by his promises of power, agreed to become one of his nine lieutenants.

Each lieutenant had the duty to restrain the citizens of Florence, and prevent them from starting riots. The Guard Captain stationed himself with his guards in the courtyard of the Basilica di San Lorenzo - the final resting place of several members of the Medici family - and ambushed and killed any Medici sympathizers who came to the Basilica.

Death

In 1497, at the height of the Bonfire of the Vanities, Ezio Auditore wandered into the Basilica, and was curious to find it silent and deserted. The Guard Captain swiftly made himself known, and greeted the Assassin as "another challenger."

As he watched from a scaffolding, the Guard Captain sent down several of his Agile guards, as well as signaled for his archers to fire. As the fight progressed below him, the Guard Captain spoke of how well his plan was working, and that he had trapped and killed many Medici supporters; even mentioning one who had taken down almost three dozen of his guards before being killed in action.

However, the Assassin managed to dispatch the soldiers, and climb the side of the building, where he began killing the archers to reach the Guard Captain himself.

Though his men were dead, the Guard Captain scoffed at Ezio's attempts to face him, claiming he had been "born for battle." The two then fought on the roof of the Basilica, but after a struggle, the Guard Captain was killed.

In his final moments, he was shocked to realize how proud and cruel he had been, and admitted that he had been intoxicated by power.

Speech

Ah! Another challenger! Excellent! Savonarola warned me that some would oppose our rule, and so I devised this little trap - to ferret out those foolish enough to play at hero. It's proven to be both entertaining and effective. Incominciamo! (Let us begin!)

What a spectacle! I wonder how long you'll survive. Another - a few days back - he made it through over three dozen of my men - before he was finally put down.

It's interesting. Every day without fail, another of you approaches. Nonconformists. Malcontents. Revolutionaries. Rebelli. (Rebels.) I've seen it, and heard it all. Just excuses.

"Am I to believe you're a champion of the downtrodden, then? A hero come to free the city? A rebel leader intent on ushering in a new age? One who fights for justice? Liberty? Hmmm? Which lie do you tell yourself!?

"And do not be mistaken. These are lies. No matter what any of you say - you're all here for the same reason. The same selfish reason: You seek something. Glory. Distinction. Fame. Rewards either physical, spiritual - or both! You're making a very big mistake.

You seek to challenge me? You've just signed your death warrant, boy! Approach at your peril, Assassino! I was born for battle, boy.

Come on then! Let's see what you're made of!

Final words

Guard Captain's final moments

• Guard Captain: Is this truly who I was? So proud and cruel...
• Ezio: No. Savonarola bewitched you.
• Guard Captain: Did he? Or was it that I tasted power and found myself intoxicated? I wish I had been stronger.
• Ezio: 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).

References

• Assassin's Creed II - Bonfire of the Vanities