Red Dead Redemption 2: Mysteries of Ambarino Explained

As an old-timey explorer who’s been around the map a few times, I must say that the tales hidden within the corners of Red Dead Redemption 2 are as captivating as they come. Let me tell you about one such intriguing character – The Mount Hagen Conquistador.

Rockstar is known for including intriguing, enigmatic, and occasionally spooky Easter eggs in their open worlds. Given its grandeur as the most extensive open world game ever developed by the studio, it’s no surprise that Red Dead Redemption 2 also followed suit. Scattered across the five states of this game are a variety of mysteries hidden within the wilderness, ranging from amusing Easter eggs to genuinely chilling mysteries that may or may not be resolved.

Among all five states in Red Dead Redemption 2, Ambarino might be the least explored. Though it sets the stage for the entire first chapter, it primarily offers a guided tutorial experience. The authentic Red Dead Redemption adventure truly begins when the gang heads south to New Hanover, leaving Ambarino largely untouched by the game’s narrative afterwards. This is unfortunate because Ambarino boasts one of the richest and most inviting landscapes for exploration in the entire game. Packed with secrets, mysteries, and Easter eggs, these mountains are brimming with undiscovered treasures.

In Memoriam

Red Dead Redemption 2: Mysteries of Ambarino Explained

Originally released in 2010, “Red Dead Redemption” had a significant eight-year gap before its sequel came out. This is quite a lengthy period, and regrettably, several individuals who contributed to the first game are no longer with us to witness the sequel. Among these were voice actors Ross Hagen, who played Landon Ricketts, and John O’Creagh, who portrayed Uncle. Despite their passing, their impact remains in the Wild West.

Ambarino, in particular, has two spots named after them: Mount Hagen and O’Creagh’s Run. These picturesque locations are effortlessly accessible with Arthur’s map as your guide. It’s touching to note that Rockstar Games has paid tribute to the memory of some of the individuals who played a significant role in crafting these captivating games, which have brought immense joy to countless players worldwide.

Witches Cauldron

Red Dead Redemption 2: Mysteries of Ambarino Explained

In the far-eastern part of the Grizzlies in Red Dead Redemption 2, there’s a small, shabby hut constructed from twigs, branches, and assorted forest debris. A wobbly table is positioned nearby, piled high with bottles, chemicals, and an array of peculiar concoctions. Animal skulls adorn the homemade wooden walls as eerie decorations. A silent raven keeps vigil from its lofty perch, watching Arthur’s actions closely. In the corner, human remains are chained down, while a cauldron bubbles ominously in the center, containing a foul-smelling soup. The dweller of this cabin is shrouded in mystery, but consuming from the cauldron causes the player to pass out and replenishes their cores, hinting that perhaps this witch isn’t wholly malevolent.

Clawson’s Rest

Should the player escort either John or Arthur to Clawson’s Rest cabin, they’ll encounter one of the game’s most heartrending discoveries. Inside this simple dwelling lie the emaciated remains of two young lads, with surrounding puddles of gory spills. Witnessing deceased children is distressing under any circumstances, but a letter from their mother on the table unveils an additional layer of sorrow and enigma.

On a nearby kitchen table lies a note detailing that the family residing in this cabin was robbed, with their matriarch departing to recover a treasured family artifact. She left her sons with enough supplies to last for several days, yet it’s evident she never returned home. This note may suggest Clawson’s Rest as a case of starvation at first glance, but the gory remains found indicate that a much darker event transpired here. Although it’s clear a tragedy occurred, the specific details of this incident might become one of the unanswered questions in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Desiree LaFlamme

It’s common knowledge that daring individuals have attempted to navigate the powerful waters of Niagara Falls using only a makeshift wooden barrel. Interestingly, this theme seems to have caught Rockstar’s attention as well, as there’s a witty, slightly morbid nod to such thrill-seekers within the game.

As I stand at the foot of Donner Falls, I can’t help but notice the fragments of a weathered barrel and the chilling reminder of a brave soul who dared the seemingly impossible. Although no details are evident here, posters in stations far and wide, such as Annesburg and Emerald Ranch, reveal more about her captivating story. Her name was Desiree LaFlamme, although she didn’t manage to make it over the falls intact, her real-life counterpart, Annie Edison Taylor, did so at an astonishing 63 years old. Taylor miraculously survived a plunge over Niagara Falls with only a minor head wound.

Giant in a Cave

To spot this Easter egg, players will need to put in some effort and exploration. After cataloging 30 different animal species in Arthur’s journal, adventurers can journey east of Fairvale Shanty, located in the eastern Grizzlies. Here, they’ll find a cave obscured by a colossal boulder. Inside this hidden dwelling resides one of the game’s most enigmatic (and amiable) non-player characters. This elusive figure claims to be a giant who has secluded himself from the world following mockery about his size. Conversations with him can be initiated after three in-game days, or if the player reappears as John.

Information about the specific characteristics of this colossal figure is vague, but it appears as if there might have been more extensive plans for him, no joke intended. Data miners discovered that, although he never appeared physically within Red Dead Redemption 2, he does possess two distinct models; one before and another after the time jump. Moreover, unused audio files suggest that prior to living in solitude, he was a circus performer.

Mount Hagen Conquistador

This tip is for enthusiastic hat connoisseurs: Scaling Mount Hagen is an arduous and lengthy journey that presents numerous challenges. The snowy terrain complicates navigation more than any other location on the map, and a single misstep could lead Arthur towards a quick and chilling fall. Yet, the rewards seemed worth it for the individual hidden in this small Easter egg.

Just beyond Lake Isabella, to the west of Beartooth Beck, lie the frozen remains of a Spanish conquistador. Due to being preserved by ice and snow, this explorer from the past can now be claimed by Arthur/John, who discovered him. Given that most conquistadors were active in Central America, it’s quite intriguing how one ended up in the chilly northlands of Ambarino.

Strange Statues Puzzle

To the east of Donner Falls, located just beneath the letter ‘I’ in Ambarino on your map, lies a foreboding cave. The statues within it are humanoid in shape and are arranged in a circle, which exudes an unsettling cult atmosphere, a theme prevalent in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. However, this cave is not just eerie decoration; it also presents a short puzzle for players to solve that yields a substantial reward of three gold bars.

Beyond their role as a gold bar riddle, there isn’t much else known about what these statues symbolize. There seems to be a correlation between the statues and the murals at Window Rock, suggesting they were possibly crafted by the same group or artist. Regardless of their meaning, the statues and the granite cave that houses them are an impressive feat, especially considering the challenges in working with such hard material during 1899. This intricate artwork displays a remarkable level of dedication, which only adds to its enigma.

Felix Hawley’s Biggest Hater

At the northernmost edge of Barrow Lagoon lies a humble cabin, near which a freshly unearthed grave can be found. The coffin is forced open, exposing a corpse that has only one leg. The headstone, marking the resting place of Felix Hawley, bears graffiti scrawled in fury: “NO ICE IN HELL.

The findings within the cabin provide a clearer account of this tale. Notably, Felix Hawley was a renowned ice skater during his time, until an incident (apparently causing him to lose a leg) brought his skating days to an end. In retirement, forced upon him, Hawley relocated to his cabin up north, where he eventually passed away. Although the narrative sheds light on the peculiar condition of Hawley’s remains, the violation of his grave itself remains unexplained. The perpetrator of such an act must have held a deep-seated animosity towards Hawley in life and could potentially be linked to the incident that marked the end of his skating career.

2024-10-26 22:35