Skirmish in the Campagna District

"Cesare persuaded King Louis to lend him an entire army to defeat me. I'm flattered."

―Bartolomeo d'Alviano, regarding the French.

The skirmish in the Campagna District was a military conflict fought between the forces of Bartolomeo d'Alviano and Octavian de Valois in 1503 within the Campagna District of Rome.

Attack on Bartolomeo's barracks

Bartolomeo: "It's only a matter of time before I have Valois by the throat. We have them in retreat."

Ezio: "They seem to be getting closer."

—Bartolomeo and Ezio discuss the French advances.

Following the assassination of Cardinal Juan Borgia, the Assassin, Ezio Auditore, made his way to the Campagna District in Rome. A fellow Assassin and leader of the mercenaries in Rome, Bartolomeo d'Alviano had his barracks stationed in the district.

Upon reaching the barracks, Ezio was greeted by Bartolomeo. Bartolomeo had become paranoid from the frequent combat with the French forces commanded by Octavian de Valois and supported by the Borgia, and nearly attacked Ezio as a result.

Recognizing Ezio, Bartolomeo let his guard down, and the two had a brief discussion, with Bartolomeo informing Ezio of the battle and the French commander, the Baron Octavian de Valois. Before they could continue their deliberation, however, a mercenary caught sight of the French approaching, and shouted for the gates to be closed.

Becoming aware that he required aid, Bartolomeo ordered Ezio to shut the gates while his men fought with the French soldiers. Maneuvering around the battle, Ezio was able to shut the various gates of the barracks, preventing additional French soldiers from entering the mercenaries' quarters. Having closed the gates, Ezio then assisted Bartolomeo and his men in vanquishing the remaining French troops.

The Baron approaching the barracks with his men.

Although the barracks had been secured, the Baron and his troops made advances towards the barracks, calling for Bartolomeo's attention. As Bartolomeo listened attentively, Octavian solicited for Bartolomeo's unconditional surrender. Vexed, Bartolomeo refused the Baron's request irritably.

At Bartolomeo's refusal of surrender, the Baron had one of his men bring Bartolomeo's spouse, Pantasilea Baglioni, forward. In response, Bartolomeo threatened the Baron, though the Baron swiftly gave him an ultimatum in which Bartolomeo would have to enter the French camp unarmed at dawn, or have his spouse killed.

Enraged, Bartolomeo pursued the Frenchmen on horseback with Ezio. Arriving at the French encampment, Bartolomeo further shouted threats and jeers at the French, though Ezio devised a plan, and told Bartolomeo to recall his men to the barracks. Acquiescing in Ezio's proposal, Bartolomeo briskly departed for the quarters with his men.

Infiltration of the French encampment

Procuring armor and entrance

"[...] We need to liberate several suits of French armor. At dawn, we are going to walk right in."

―Ezio explains his plan to Bartolomeo.

Once at the barracks, Ezio described his plan to Bartolomeo, informing him that they would need to eliminate French soldiers and procure their armor. Ezio went on to explain they would utilize it to enter the French camp inconspicuously. Bartolomeo agreed, and volunteered his men to claim the armor from the fallen French troops.

Traversing the district, Ezio stealthily eliminated twenty French soliders, managing to keep the armor unsoiled for Bartolomeo's men. He then made his way to Bartolomeo, where Ezio and the mercenaries outfitted themselves with the French soldiers' attire. After dressing themselves in the French garb, Ezio led the mercenaries and Bartolomeo as they made their way to the French camp.

Ezio and the mercenaries proceed with Bartolomeo.

Along the way, Ezio encountered two French checkpoints. Comprehending that they would be identified, Bartolomeo told Ezio to eliminate the soldiers at each checkpoint. Stealthily slaying the troops on patrol, Ezio cleared the paths, enabling Bartolomeo to be brought safely to the French camp.

Arriving at the French camp, Ezio was briskly confronted by a French soldier who questioned him dubiously. Informing the soldier that he was escorting Bartolomeo to the Baron, Ezio managed to pass by, utilizing his knowledge of the French language. After leading Bartolomeo to the inner section of the camp, the Baron emerged with Pantasilea.

Observing his spouse with the Baron, Bartolomeo engaged in a heated argument with the Baron. Eventually, the Baron brandished his armament and directed it at Pantasilea, at which Ezio signaled for the mercenaries to commence their attack. Discerning Bartolomeo's strategy, the Baron retreated into the inner fortress with Pantasilea as his detainee.

Battle and rescue

Flanked by nearby soldiers, Ezio engaged in an aggressive battle with the guards alongside Bartolomeo and his mercenaries. However, Bartolomeo soon ordered Ezio to pursue the Baron, telling him to utilize the rooftops to avoid the battle raging on in the encampment.

Traversing the rooftops, Ezio eliminated the few archers that remained while he followed the Baron. Eventually, Ezio's pursuit of the Baron led him to the keep located towards the back of the fortress. There, Ezio observed as the Baron hurried Pantasilea into a small courtyard surrounded by a multi-story building. The Baron then threatened Ezio, claiming he would kill Pantasilea should he notice Ezio approaching.

Ezio assassinating the Baron.

While the Baron held Pantasilea hostage, Ezio maneuvered covertly around the keep. He stealthily eliminated the soldiers, making sure not to alert the Baron. Having taken out the guards in the keep, Ezio proceeded onto the rooftop of the building overlooking the small courtyard where the Baron was holding Pantasilea.

Leaping from the rooftop, Ezio air-assassinated the Baron, who, in his final words, informed Ezio that he had merely sought respect. After providing the Baron with his last rites, Ezio unbound Pantasilea as Bartolomeo reached the courtyard.

Reuniting in a passionate embrace, Bartolomeo discussed the battle with his wife, accrediting Ezio with the plan to rescue her; however, Ezio denied this laude, telling Pantasilea it was her husband's concept. Pantasilea then hailed her husband as her "prince," before thanking Ezio and departing with her husband.

Aftermath

Cesare Borgia: "What has happened here?"

Rodrigo Borgia: "I do not know what you mean?"

Cesare Borgia: "My funds, my troops. Gone."

—Cesare questions his father about the loss of French support.

Following the Baron's death, the Borgia's oppression and control over Rome declined. However, the loss of the French support came as a surprise to Cesare Borgia, who became aware of the situation several weeks later, after being informed of the events by his father, Pope Alexander VI. Accusing his father of murdering the Baron, Cesare swiftly entered into a vehement quarrel with Rodrigo. The two disagreed though, and their altercation culminated when Cesare force-fed his father a poisoned apple.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood