This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
A few days ago, the efforts of the Brotherhood in the territories bordering Rome led to the recovery of a Piece of Eden—a Precursor relic (a Memory Seal) buried in a ruin of an Etruscan temple dedicated to the god Laran. The information hidden in this relic must not fall into the hands of the Templars. Bella, a young initiate, is transporting the Piece of Eden to Rome and has arranged a secret meeting with Ezio Auditore at one of the Brotherhood's hideouts. The Ginestra Fiorita is a brothel belonging to Madame Rosa, and is used as a base of operations for a cell of Assassins led by Ezio Auditore himself. Before the meeting can start, the building is attacked by a group of Templars who seem to have been warned of the activities of the Brotherhood.
The Ginestra Fiorita is a two-story building with a well-kept and decent appearance, located in one of the wealthiest districts of Rome. Its balconies are decorated with ginestre, broom flowers, whose bright yellow elegantly matches the gooseberry color of the curtains embellishing the structure both inside and out. As soon as you enter, the scent of fruity and floral essential oils hits you, almost as much as the beauty of Madame Rosa's workers. A young, long-haired boy named Michele leads you to a sumptuous waiting room, offering you seasonal fruit and fresh water while you make yourself at home. Before you can enquire whether Bella has arrived yet, the doors of the Ginestra Fiorita are smashed open by attacking soldiers! In a matter of seconds, the calm of the brothel has been shattered.
Swordsmen carrying torches burst through the front doors, swiftly setting alight to the curtains and carpets. You must defeat them quickly before everything burns down.
Challenges
Swordsmen: The attackers engage anyone who crosses their path, not making distinctions between you, patrons, and workers. To save anyone targeted by them, the Witnesses must make at least 2 Approach checks with 1 Raise.
Crossbowmen: 2 groups of crossbowmen wait outside the building, shooting at anyone trying to escape. To eliminate them all, the Witnesses must make at least 2 separate Approach checks.
Weaknesses
Weakness (minor): The brothel holds ample stocks of perfumes and essential oils. They are highly flammable. If the Witnesses throw them at the attackers, any Approach check to overcome the Swordsmen Challenge has 1 Free Raise.
Smoke and intense heat envelops the building. The attackers are all dead or have departed, but someone remains still trapped upstairs.
The flames are devouring the intricate wooden furniture, the precious silks draped on the mannequins, and the majestic gooseberry-colored curtains, quickly enveloping everything. The scent of essential oils has been replaced by dense smoke that chokes and blinds you. A supporting beam collapses over the brothel's main entrance, dividing you from the remaining soldiers outside, but also cutting off your escape. You know that there is a door out onto the roof, but the flames are already licking up the stairs. As you look for an alternative way out, you hear someone calling for help from upstairs.
Challenges
Debris Blocking the Way: The stairs are starting to collapse in the fire. You need to find a different way to reach the second floor.
Flash Point: If they don't take specific precautions, when the Witnesses open the door leading to the room whence the call for help comes, a burst of flames threatens to envelop them. In this case, the Witnesses make a Reaction check. Bella lies unconscious in a corner, the Piece of Eden held tight in her hands.
Weaknesses
Wet Blanket (minor): If a Witness uses water to wet their clothes or wets fabric to cover themselves with, they will be protected against the intense heat. Any Approach check made to face the flames has 1 Free Raise.
The Memory Seal is an obscure Precursor relic, apparently capable of storing recorded memories. The small, circular object seems made of wrought metal and stone, resembling ancient Phaistos Disks, featuring symbols, stylized icons, and geometrical shapes.
For more information about Precursor Relics, see page 186 of the Assassin’s Creed - Animus Handbook.
