Red Dead Redemption 2: The Mysteries in Lemoyne Explained

As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring the vast landscapes of these virtual worlds, I must say, the mysteries they hold are as captivating as the adventures themselves. The giant snake hanging from that tree west of Pleasance is a riddle that has puzzled many a gamer, and I’ve been no exception.

Rockstar is known for embedding enigmatic, elusive, and at times unsettling Easter eggs within their expansive game worlds. Given its ambitious scope as the largest open world game they’ve ever produced, it’s no surprise that Red Dead Redemption 2 followed suit in this tradition. Scattered throughout the game across its five states are puzzles tucked away in the wilderness, ranging from amusing Easter eggs to genuinely spine-tingling mysteries that might or might not be resolved.

In the game ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’, each state showcases its unique beauty, but Lemoyne stands out as a strong contender for the most picturesque. The expansive green and red plains surrounding Scarlett Meadows, the eerily tranquil bayou, and the awe-inspiring city of Saint Denis are just a few examples of the stunning vistas this state presents. However, beneath its visually impressive facade lie some of the strangest enigmas found in ‘Red Dead Redemption’.

Saint Denis Vampire

In a game heavily inspired by the rugged authenticity of the Wild West, encountering a plotline reminiscent of an Anne Rice novel may come as quite a surprise. Yet, this unexpected twist is precisely what this Easter egg offers. To uncover the Vampire of Saint Denis, players must search for his five diary entries, each inscribed in white or red ink on various city walls. Upon discovering these entries, players will recognize that their arrangement forms a pentagram over the city map, guiding them to the vampire’s hidden location.

As a fervent admirer of the supernatural, I’d recommend venturing into the secluded lane behind the cathedral under the cloak of night. If fortune smiles upon us, you’ll spot a mysterious “X” on your map, marking a chilling encounter – a corpse in the alley. Creep closer to this nocturnal predator, feeding upon the unsuspecting, and prepare for a thrilling showdown. Once the cutscene unfolds, strike swiftly, claim his distinctive dagger, and complete this secret quest. Remember, this elusive vampire can end you with a single strike, and he will not return once vanquished, so act with haste!

This is a pretty creepy Easter egg and seeing the Nosferatu-esque NPC in a dark alley way is enough to give anyone chills, but the jury is out if he’s actually supernatural. In traditional lore, vampires can only be killed in a few very specific ways, and the Saint Denis bloodsucker can be killed like any conventional NPC. This could either indicate that Rockstar has bucked the old school vampire rules, or that this is just a mundane serial killer who’s really committed to his gimmick. Both are pretty unsettling.

Compson’s Darkest Secret

Many gamers have completed Jeremiah Compson’s side quest and are familiar with his past involvement in the slave trade. However, a chilling detail hidden near his old residence adds an even more harrowing layer to his tragic tale. Behind his home, players can discover a well that has dried up. At the bottom of this well, there is a ladder, and though it offers little in terms of valuable items other than some scattered coins possibly tossed by travelers, the walls are marked with tally marks – similar to those used by prisoners to denote how many days they’ve been imprisoned.

It’s possible that Compson held slaves in captivity at the bottom of a well for extended periods, possibly even several months. This cruel act, which was committed by an abhorrent man, might be overlooked without thorough investigation. However, upon discovering this unpleasant truth, Arthur’s honorable reputation for killing Compson seems more justified.

What Happened to Pleasance?

The small, forgotten township named Pleasance lies within the state of Lemoyne, nestled in the Scarlett Meadows region. Since it’s not a hub for many missions, most players might just breeze through it en route to other significant objectives. However, there’s a lot more to discover about this seemingly ordinary town that once was.

In 1883, Pleasance mysteriously vanished after just a month, leaving behind only its ghostly remnants. A graveyard filled with violent deaths suggests a grim fate for those buried there, but little else is known about the events that led to this once-thriving town vanishing without a trace.

Clues hidden as graffiti across the map in Red Dead Redemption 2 have sparked two main theories among enthusiastic fans: it could have been a plague or some form of occult activity. Although a widespread illness might have certainly eliminated a small settlement during that era, the prevalence of violence, the absence of crosses in the church, and messages like “Unclean Sinners” and “Ill with Sin” scrawled on walls point more towards the latter theory – occult activity. To this day, no definitive explanation has been provided for the town’s end, making Pleasance one of the unresolved enigmas in Red Dead Redemption 2.

The Night Folk

In contrast to typical mysteries, these swamp-inhabiting adversaries in the game stand out as some of the most chilling and enigmatic, lacking clear explanations. Other gangs like the O’Driscolls, Murfree Brood, and Lemoyne Raiders have well-defined histories with discernible motives; however, the Night Folk are a different breed altogether.

Scant information exists regarding the origins of the Night Folk, but it’s clear they dwell in the swamps and wetlands near Saint Denis, primarily communicating through animal sounds. Their preferred methods of warfare involve traps and stealth attacks under the cloak of darkness. What makes them particularly chilling is their habit of targeting horses for elimination, much like the vampire, and they are among the few enemies in the game capable of instantly defeating the player character themselves.

This subculture is largely enigmatic, with only their ruthless aggression towards perceived enemies being widely known. Their mysterious nature makes them one of the most daunting adversaries to encounter if unfortunate circumstances force someone into Bayou Nwa at night.

Ghost of Agnes Dowd

Unlike the Saint Denis vampire, whose supernatural nature is questionable, there’s little doubt that Agnes Dowd’s ghost is otherworldly. Fittingly elusive to spot in the game, her mournful cries can be distinctly heard echoing through the misty swamps of Bluewater Marsh.

At nightfall, specifically from 9 PM to 3 AM, under foggy conditions, Agnes Dowd is known to manifest. This spectral figure will materialize in the northwest section of Bluewater Marsh, which can be found on the map between the ‘B’ and the ‘L’. Her presence can be traced by her chilling screams. It’s said that this encounter may occur as many as 16 times, each instance potentially shedding light on Agnes’ sorrowful past.

Strange Man’s Cabin

One of the series most open-ended mysteries is that of the Strange Man, seen most prominently in the original Red Dead Redemption. This dapper gentleman will appear throughout the game several times and act as a sort of commentator on John’s morality or lack thereof. His exact nature is completely unknown, with over a decade of fan speculation claiming he’s God, the Devil, the Grim Reaper, or something unknowable in its entirety. Developers at Rockstar have weighed in, claiming even they don’t know for sure who the Strange Man is supposed to be.

Stepping into Bayall Edge, I stumbled upon an exquisitely adorned, yet seemingly vacant cabin – the Strange Man’s sanctuary. As Arthur, I noticed an incomplete portrait of this mysterious figure and subtle nods to my storyline choices thus far. However, when I returned as John, the atmosphere shifted eerily, hinting at a more unsettling tale within these walls.

Over multiple interactions with John, the portrait will gradually progress through various stages of completion. On their last trip back to the cabin, the players will find a mirror showing an image of John, with the Mysterious Figure looming ominously behind him. However, before they can react, he’ll vanish, leaving no doubt that this is where his curiosity about the Marstons first took root.

Giant Swamp Snake

As I ventured westward towards Pleasance, I stumbled upon a sight that gave me chills – a gargantuan snake, dangling lifelessly from an enormous tree. This beast was easily 20 feet long, and if it had been alive, I’d have been running for the hills! But thankfully, it seemed to be harmless, its eyes fixed in a permanent stare that spoke of nothing but death. Quite the eerie addition to my gaming adventure!

For decades now, people have pondered over the possible symbolism of this enigmatic creature, yet no definitive answer has been found. Possible interpretations vary widely, from remnants of an abandoned mythical beast to a fleeting nod to the movie “Anaconda”. A more esoteric, religious perspective suggests that the snake symbolizes Satan, as depicted in the Christian account of creation. This interpretation stems largely from the creature’s location near Pleasance, a town some fans speculate was associated with devil worship.

Ghost Train

Players who’ve delved into Red Dead Redemption 2 have certainly given chase to one of the numerous trains on the RDR2 map, relying on their steadfast steeds. It’s an experience everyone dabbles in at least once. However, the train that proves most evasive within the game is the spectral one, which haunts the state of Lemoyne and leaves a trail of destruction behind.

In the game Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), you can discover the phantom train around 3:00 am in the northwestern part of the state, close to the “Welcome to Lemoyne” sign. Feel free to travel along the tracks; however, it’s not certain that the train will appear. But when Arthur/John’s horse makes a distinctive noise (whinnying), take it as a hint that the train is approaching its station – essentially speaking.

For this ghost train in the game, there’s no backstory or explanation provided, which makes it quite enigmatic. It might simply be an added touch of eerie atmosphere to the open world setting, but some players have pointed out its resemblance to the Phantom Train from Final Fantasy 6. It’s possible that the developers at Rockstar are paying homage or acknowledging their peers at Square Enix.

Who is the Woman in The Outhouse?

By carefully exploring the Braithwaite estate, adventurers may discover a sturdily built outhouse that appears unusually reinforced. From afar, the barricaded entrance might seem like an unused restroom, but the heavy chains suggest more than meets the eye. A thorough examination will unveil a young woman who has been disfigured and is held captive within, ready to attack Arthur if he approaches too closely.

Without delving deeper, it’s uncertain whether players will discover this woman’s identity. However, if Arthur takes Penelope to the outhouse during her escape, she might disclose that the woman is Gertrude Braithwaite and they are cousins. Later, Penelope may confess that Gertrude was born with physical deformities and mental health issues. Instead of seeking treatment for her, the family kept her secluded on their property to preserve their reputation. Penelope promises that she will arrange assistance for Gertrude if they can reach Boston.

Years on, it’s revealed that Penelope never did what John claimed; Gertrude’s outhouse will become a dilapidated structure, containing only her decaying remains. This ending is tragic and unfortunately fitting for the era, as it mirrors the unfortunate treatment of individuals with mental health issues during that time.

2024-10-19 20:35