Bonfire of the Vanities
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- "Then it's true? Savonarola has taken the control of Firenze?"
- ―Ezio about the Bonfire
The Bonfire of the Vanities (Italian: Falò delle vanità) was an event centered in Florence in the year 1497 and 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 used the Apple of Eden (which he obtained from a wounded Ezio Auditore) to gain control of the city of Florence, following the expulsion of the Medici.
Homecoming
- First women: "Sometimes I wish the Assassino (Assassin) would return to Firenze, that we might be of this tyranny."
- Second women: "It's just a myth! A story parents tell their children."
- —Two women talk about Ezio in Florence, 1497.
In the year 1497, Ezio once again returned to the city to find it in the grip of Savonarola and his lieutenants. Crossing the district while he heard the cries of despair from the people and encountering various battles between the Florentine guard and another unknown faction. Ezio soon met with Niccolò Machiavelli on one of the Arno bridges. Machiavelli greeted Ezio, in a formal manner, and remarked he chose a fine time for a homecoming, confirming that Savonarola had taken control of Florence, and aided by the "treacherous artifact" with this Ezio declared that they should work on retrieving it. However, Machiavelli rebuked this statement, claiming that it would be more complicated than Ezio thought.
Ezio then requested Machiavelli tell Ezio of the recent events leading to the bonfires. Machiavelli told Ezio it started a few weeks prior, when the man everyone reviled was the one they later "worshiped," Ezio immediately knew this was the Apple's work. However Machiavelli revealed this was only part of it, as Savonarola took control of the city leaders; those who held such influence and power of the city districts. These leaders in return oppress the people and ensure Savonarola's will is done.
The two passed into the Oltrarno district of Florence and discovered the bodies of a contingent of soldiers bearing the emblem of theBorgia, evidence that Rodrigo Borgia was also aware that Savonarola held the Piece of Eden. Learning that the Apple only held sway over the minds of Savonarola's nine lieutenants, with most of the city's populace simply controlled by fear, and a direct assault would result in failure Ezio decided to assassinate the nine, whilst La Volpe and Paola help uprise the districts and the people.
One by one
- "If we can silence his lieutnants and stir up discontent, he will be distracted and I will have a chance to strike"
- ―Ezio to Machiavelli about the Lieutnants.
The Painter
- "So today I call upon you to cast off these abominations; and consign them to the flames that you may be cleansed, that you may be FREE! Give them up – or my guards will do it for you!"
- ―The Painter proving that the people were under forced control.
The first of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio decided to kill was the Painter, found behind the Palazzo Pitti in the Oltrano District. He spoke of how, when he first became a Painter, he thought he would become closer to God; however he found he was only 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 Preacher
- "Know that I, too, once shared your uncertainty. Your fear. But that was before Savonarola came to me. He showed me the THUTH! At last, my eyes were OPENED. And so I stand before you today in the hope that I might open yours as well!"
- ―The Precher trying to convince the people about Savonarola
The second of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio assassinated was the Preacher, who was standing outside the Santo Spirito Church in Southern Florence. He was speaking to a crowd in front of the church, while surrounded by armed guards. On his deathbed, he claimed that he wasn't deceived by the Apple of Eden, and that his actions were his own.
The Condotterio
- "I hear you moaning and complaining. You say you have things to do. Places to go. Obligations to fulfill. Hah! You have but ONE obligation - TO SUBMIT! Why fight us? Why resist us? The city is ours."
- ―The Condotterio about Savonarola's control.
The third of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio chose to assassinate was the Condottiero, who guarded and monitored passage across the Ponte Vecchio. He spoke of Savonarola's cause to the people below, and said that he wanted to lead the people into a new future. When Ezio assassinated him, he claimed that he wanted wealth and power beyond what he already had.
The Merchant
The next of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio chose to assassinate was the Merchant, who was found on a boat in the River Arno. Ezio sneakily assassinated him, and the Merchant's dying words were that sometimes people must be told what to think, though he also admitted his fault.
The Farmer
The fifth of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio chose to kill was the Farmer, who was found on the outskirts of the city of Florence. The Farmer spoke of how he withheld other farmers' provisions for their livestock, thereby cutting their source of income, and Florence's food supply. When Ezio assassinated him, he said that he only wanted the citizens' respect.
The Nobleman
The sixth of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio assassinated was the Nobleman, found on a rooftop in the Mercato Vecchio in central Florence. Upon his sighting of Ezio, he told him that he would best not interfere, for he was only 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 merely the victim.
The Priest
The seventh of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio chose to assassinate was the Priest, who was found on top of the Santa Maria del Fiore in the San Giovanni district. He preached to the people in favor of Savonarola and his cause. Ezio silently climbed up the building and assassinated him before he could alert the guards. In his death, he said that he had thought Savonarola preached the word of God, though now he regretted that he had led his flock astray.
The Capitain Guard
- "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."
- ―The Capitain Guard about the resitance.
The penultimate of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio had to kill was the Captain Guard, who was located in the Basilica di San Lorenzo. When Ezio arrived near the church, he noticed that the surrounding areas were devoid of any citizens. When Ezio entered the courtyard, he caught sight of the Captain Guard, but found that he had fallen into a trap. He was promptly surrounded by several guards and archers; however he was able to fight them off and assassinate the Captain Guard. In the Captain's death, he exclaimed that he wasn't himself, and that he should have been stronger to resist Savonarola.
The Doctor
- "It's quite simple, amici (my friends). If you desire care, you'll submit yourselves fully to our new ruler. The choice is yours to make. Continue to support the Medici - who, as you know, have long since fled Firenze - or accept Savonarola. Why fight it? Why refuse? He is a good man, strong of character and morals. He seeks to save us from ourselves."
- ―The Doctor trying to convince th people about Savonarola.
The last of Savonarola's lieutenants that Ezio had to assassinate was the Doctor, 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 assassinated him, he told Ezio on his deathbed that he had been intoxicated by power.
Savonarola's demise
The citizens rallied by Niccolò Machiavelli, La Volpe and Paola mass in front of the Palazzo Pitti, to confront Girolamo Savonarola. Weakened by the loss of of his lieutenants, Savonarola tries to use the Apple to subdue the crowd. Ezio Auditore prevents Savonalora from using the artifact by throwing a knife and injuring his hand. As soon as the artifact leaves Savonarola's grip the crowd carries him away. A Borgia guard tries to steal the fallen artifact, only to be killed, after a lenghty chase, by Ezio.
He then finds out that the people, now freed from the grip of the Apple, were burning Savonarola at the stake outside the Palazzo della Signoria. He decides that no-one should die in so much pain, and thus mercifully assassinates Savonarola with his hidden blade. He then makes a speech, saying that the citizens should be free and should not follow him or anyone else.
Ezio's Speech
- "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's speech.
See Also
- Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)
- Girolamo Savonarola
- The Painter
- The Preacher
- The Condottiero
- The Merchant (Savonarola's lieutenant)
- The Farmer
- The Nobleman
- The Priest (Savonarola's lieutenant)
- The Captain Guard
- The Doctor (Savonarola's lieutenant)