Bonfire of the Vanities

"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 centered in Florence in the year 1498, instigated by the Italian Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola; who believed that the Renaissance idea had corrupted Italia, 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.

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, evidence that the Pope 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 citzens' respect.

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 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 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 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
Ezio and his Assassin allies meet outside the Palazzo Pitti and saw Girolamo Savonarola addressing a crowd, and controlling them using the Apple. Ezio then throws a throwing knife directly at the Piece of Eden, causing Savonarola to drop it and lose control over the crowd. As the citizens carry Savonarola away, an agile guard picks up the fallen Apple and flees, with Ezio following close behind. After a lengthy chase, Ezio manages to assassinate the guard and recover the Piece of Eden. 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.

Trivia

 * Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood has a flashback memory to this time, where Ezio tries to save his past love, Cristina Vespucci from Savanarola's soldiers.
 * 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.
 * Any time before the end of the sequence, after meeting with Machiavelli, go to the Palazzo Auditore courtyard and Ezio will see a vision of his family members with Eagle Vision.
 * The Bonfire of the Vanities bears some resemblance to the original Assassin's Creed, as Ezio has to kill 9 lieutenants before killing their master. This is similar to how Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad assassinated nine 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 these 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 to throw the knife that disarms Savonarola.
 * In the novel Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, it is Machiavelli who throws the knife at Savonarola to free the Apple. Ezio does not have to chase an Agile Guard to reclaim the Apple in the novel, instead he has only to make his way through the angry mob carrying Savonarola
 * During the sequence, the sky in Florence will always be a dull grey color, and the civilians 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 civilians will still continue to throw books and artwork into bonfires in the Oltrarno District of Florence.
 * It is amusing to note that while the bonfires burned art, the Art Merchants were still open for business.