Bonfire of the Vanities

"Then it's true? Savonarola has taken the control of Firenze?"

- Ezio about the Bonfire

The Bonfire of the Vanities 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.

The Mad Monk
In the year 1497, the Assassin Ezio Auditore once again returned to Florence to find it in the grip of Savonarola and his lieutenants. Ezio soon met with Niccolò Machiavelli on one of the Arno bridges. Machiavelli greeted Ezio, and remarked he chose "a fine time for a homecoming".

He confirmed that Savonarola had taken control of Florence, 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 asked Machiavelli to tell him of the recent events leading up to the bonfires. Machiavelli told Ezio it started a few weeks earlier, when the man everyone reviled was the one they later "worshipped". However, Machiavelli revealed this was only part of Savonarola's tyranny, as Savonarola had taken control of the city leaders, those who held such influence and power over the city's districts. These leaders in turn oppressed the people and ensured Savonarola's will was done.

The two passed into the Oltrarno district of Florence and discovered the bodies of a contingent of soldiers bearing the emblem of the Borgia, 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 that a direct assault would result in failure, Ezio decided to assassinate the nine, whilst La Volpe and Paola helped to rouse the districts and the people.

One by one
"If we can silence his lieutenants and stir up discontent, he will be distracted and I will have a chance to strike"

- Ezio to Machiavelli about the Lieutenants.

The Painter

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

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 Condottiero

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 fourth 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 Captain Guard

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

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
"We don't need anyone to tell us what to do; not Savonarola, not the Medici. We are free to follow our own path."

- Ezio Auditore's speech. The citizens rallied by Niccolò Machiavelli, La Volpe and Paola mass in front of the Palazzo Pitti, to confront Girolamo Savonarola. Savonarola confronted the enraged mob, demanded to know why there weren't cleansing themselves.

However, Savonarola's rage forced him to use the Apple's power, weakened by the loss of of his lieutenants.

Savonarola attempted to use the Apple to subdue the crowd, exclaiming that they would submit. Ezio, however prevented Savonarola from using the artifact by throwing a knife and injuring his hand.

As soon as the artifact left Savonarola's grip the crowd carries him away. A Borgia guard suddenly tried to steal the fallen artifact, only to be killed, after a lengthy chase, by Ezio.



Ezio then discovers that the people, now freed from the grip of the Apple, were burning Savonarola at the stake outside the Palazzo della Signoria.

While the crowd screamed in rage, Ezio concluded that no-one should die in so much pain, and thus, pushed through the crowd, lunged at Savonarola, and mercifully assassinated the crazed Monk with his Hidden Blade.

With Savonarola dead at last, ending his tyranny, Ezio then makes a speech, claiming that the citizens should be free to make their own choice, not to follow the Medici, Savonarola, or him, but to choose their own path. As Ezio concluded his speech, he departed with the city once again, with Mario Auditore, Machiavelli, La Volpe, and Paola, ready to face his nemesis.

Aftermath
The Assassins secure the Apple once more, and Savonarola's tyranny ended, once again freeing the city of Florence, and allowing the people to fully embrace the Renaissance.

Source

 * Assassin's Creed II - Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)