Summary
Rockstar’s games go hand in hand with mystery, crime, and unbridled violence, and the developer often finds unique ways to mix the storytelling elements in an engaging overarching plot. Although the criminal aspects of its games tend to take center stage, the developer incorporates undertones that add emotional complexity to its missions.Red Dead Redemption 2is one of the firstRockstar gamesthat comes to mind for its moving backstory in spite of its outlaw focus, and a fair few locations on its map contain thought-provoking Easter Eggs. With mysteries abound in the prequel, players may be looking to prioritize the most memorable, and the Manzanita Post settlement holds a secret that touches on a heavy theme that tragically wasn’t uncommon at the turn of the 20th century.
Red Dead Redemption 2has a reputation for being one of the deepest games in terms of lore, with veterans and newbies alike still finding new things in the title so many years after its release. One such rabbit hole is found in a settlement in the Tall Trees region of theWest Elizabeth territory, and the distasteful details of the Manzanita Post are a prime example of the harsh realities of the world at large.
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The Quiet Manzanita Post Has a Gory Tale
A cursory glance at the Manzanita Post settlement doesn’t reveal anything untoward, as it depicts a small group of Norwegians friendly toRed Dead Redemption 2’s protagonistwhen he comes upon their lands. A particular cabin in the community is home to an unassuming couple, and walking into their abode and opening a loose floorboard unveils a photo of a man and his child. The picture appears innocent enough until players flip the image and find the word “Uren” written boldly with an exclamation mark on the back of the photograph. Knowledge of the Norwegian language is key to understanding the story behind the community, and Uren translates to impure or unclean in English.
Although the couple doesn’t mindArthur Morgan’s intrusion into their home and his discovery of the photograph, searching the chimney elicits a crazed reaction. They flee the cabin immediately, with the man screaming as Arthur finds a Norwegian Journal page hidden away. The page turns out to be a confession from the woman, detailing a painful guilt eating her up, causing an inability to sleep without seeing faces and hearing screams. The note ends with a plea for mercy from God. Clearly, the community committed a crime and was justified by a “Father” saying it was the only way.
There isn’t much information about the crime until players loot the lady’s husband, finding a Norwegian Newspaper Scrap on his person. The newspaper tells the story of a family’s brutal murder; a North African man, a woman from a reclusive religious community, and their infant child no older than two years. The community mysteriously packed up and left their settlement, and the police were hunting for clues of their whereabouts. Connecting the dots back to the Uren image, the man in the picture looks to be of North African heritage. The Norwegian hamlet’s secluded nature inRed Dead Redemption 2, quietly hidden behind theSkinner Brothers,gives them away as the estranged murdering community.
The couple’s overt reaction to Arthur Morgan searching their chimney was due to the uncovering of their shameful secret. The family’s murder is presumably rooted in racism, as the community branded their existence impure, despite the wife being a part of the religious sect. The referenced “Father” in the woman’s confession could be a cult leader who gave the order to kill the family, and the group left their crimes behind in their escape to America.Red Dead Redemption 2has many mysteries, but the Manzanita Post’s brutality is a highlight that sets it apart from the rest.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
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