Bonfire of the Vanities

"Silenzio, silenzio...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 Italy, and preached for a return to medieval life. Savonarola, after acquiring the Apple of Eden from a mortally wounded Ezio Auditore, usurped control of the city of Florence following the expulsion of the Medici in 1494, and proceeded to use the Apple to assume control of the city.

In the year 1498, Ezio once again returned to the city of his birth 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; Borgia knew of the Apple's presence in Florence. Learning that the Apple only held sway over the minds of Savonarola's nine lieutenants, whilst the city's populous were controlled by fear, Ezio decided to assassinate the nine, whilst La Volpe and Paola brought the people of the city to Savonarola’s door.

Killing Savonarola’s nine lieutenants, whose expertise varied as merchants, nobles, priests and condotierri, the city was liberated and Savonarola trapped by the rioting crowd. Watching, as Savonarola tried to use the Apple on the people themselves, the assassins' disarmed the priest and let the citizenry carry him away. The Apple in hand, the assassins followed the crowd to the Piazza della Signoria, where a pyre stood ready to burn Savonarola alive. Ezio, deciding that no one deserved to die in such a way, killed the Dominican priest with his hidden blade before the flames could reach him. Revealing himself to the crowd, Ezio makes a speech, telling them to follow their own path.

Final Words
Lieutenant 1 (The Painter)

Artist: What have I done... What have I done...

Ezio Auditore: Your actions were not your own.

Artist: But they were! My own self-doubt let him hold me as he did. I am sorry.

Ezio Auditore: As am I. Non è una scelta che compio a cour leggero (This is not a choice I make lightly). Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 2 (The Preacher)

Ezio Auditore: Your mind... I sense it is your own.

Preacher: Not all of us required deception to be convinced. I already believe. All I said is true.

Ezio Auditore: Nothing is true. Non è un compito facile il mio (This is not an easy thing I do)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 3 (The Condottiero)

Ezio Auditore: You wear a noble's clothes. How is it Savonarola charmed you?

Condottiero: Wealth and power do not ensure contentment. I wanted even more...

Ezio Auditore: And now, instead, you have nothing. Questo non è che un atto dovuto (This is something that must be done)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 4 (The Merchant)

Merchant: What... What have I done...

Ezio Auditore: You tried to force devotion.

Merchant: Sometimes the people must be told what to think.

Ezio Auditore: No good has ever come of that. Benché il mio cuore sia turbato, la mia mente è lucida (Though my heart may be tormented, my head is clear)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 5 (The Farmer)

Ezio Auditore: You would have let your own people starve! And for what?

Farmer: Too long I suffered their insults. They called me simple and low-class... I wanted their respect.

Ezio Auditore: I'm afraid you do not have mine. Per quanto sia penoso il trapasso, lieto sarà il tuo sonno (Though the passing may be painful, it will be a gentle sleep)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 6 (The Noble)

Nobleman: I was a victim! It's not my fault!

Ezio Auditore: No. You made a choice.

Nobleman: He charmed me. With that... thing.

Ezio Auditore: Only because you allowed it. Lo faccio per il popolo (I do this for the people)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 7 (The Priest)

Priest: I thought he preached the word of God.

Ezio Auditore: I fear his sermon is a lie.

Priest: I led my flock astray... It's just... I wanted so badly to believe...

Ezio Auditore: We all do. Vedrò compiuta l’opera di mio padre (I will see my father’s work complete)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Lieutenant 8 (The Guard Captain)

Captain: Is this truly who I was? So proud and cruel...

Ezio Auditore: No. Savonarola bewitched you.

Captain: Did he? Or was it that I tasted power and found myself intoxicated. I wish I had been stronger.

Ezio Auditore: 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).

Lieutenant 9 (The Doctor)

Doctor: You have spilled the blood of a healer.

Ezio Auditore: No. I have spilled the blood of a tyrant.

Doctor: To command such power over the body, between this world and the next. It seems, I grew intoxicated.

Ezio Auditore: And now you grow still. La tua morte non sarà inutile (Your death will serve a purpose)... Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).

Trivia

 * This is the second of two DLC's that came out. They are the corrupt Sequences 12 and 13 (this one being 13).
 * Through the whole of this Sequence (#13), 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.
 * After meeting with Niccolò during the sequence, Ezio saw a vision of his family members with Eagle Vision in the Palazzo Auditore courtyard.
 * This DLC can be downloaded with, or without the secret Templar locations. These locations feature the Palazzo Medici in Florence, the Santa Maria Dei Frari and the Arsenal Shipyard located in Venice.
 * 'Bonfire of the Vanities' bears some resemblance to the original "Assassin's Creed", as Ezio has to kill 9 lieutenants before killing their master, Savonarola. This is similar to how Altaïr assassinated 9 Templars before killing the master, 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 said templars, Jubair al Hakim.
 * If you don't do anything when Savonarola attempts to use the apple on the people, Niccolo will be the one who will throw the knife that disarms Savonarola.