Highlights
In the town of Rhodes in Red Dead Redemption 2, there is a dark secret revolving around a character named Jasper, involving kidnapping and tragedy.
Jasper asserts that he confined his son in the basement as a measure to deter him from pilfering candy. However, the abducted individual narrates a contrasting account of being forcefully abducted.
The residents of Rhodes appear to be concealing the actual events surrounding the fate of Jasper's biological son, implying their culpability and potential complicity in his demise. Ultimately, the resolution of this enigma remains in the hands of the players to decipher.
In the expansive and immersive world of Red Dead Redemption 2, where hidden gems await in every corner, the town of Rhodes stands out as a captivating and enigmatic place. Amidst the vibrant chaos of this Wild West-themed game, a deep-seated secret lies hidden, centering around a perplexing character known as Jasper. As players uncover more about Jasper's story, it becomes evident that his narrative extends far beyond the kidnapping of the enigmatic stranger, instead weaving a complex tapestry of deception and tragedy that shrouds this quaint town.
Chance encounters are a common occurrence in Red Dead Redemption 2, and Jasper's tale commences when Arthur Morgan stumbles upon a man peering through a barred window, desperately calling for assistance. The man discloses that he has been apprehended by the proprietor of a local store, Jasper Feeney, and implores Morgan to save him. Players have the choice to aid the captive individual and confront Jasper, demanding access to his basement, despite the merchant's insistence that he has nothing to conceal -- claiming his "son" is merely slumbering. Marching Jasper down into the basement, they discover the young man from earlier, and the shop owner explains that he confined his "son" to prevent him from pilfering candy. However, the kidnapped man contradicts this narrative, recounting a harrowing tale of abduction and captivity, detailing Jasper's actions of forcibly dressing him in sailor attire and restraining him with chains.
Jasper's Tear-Jerking Story in RDR 2 Has a Few Holes in it
If Arthur Morgan chooses to free the young man by shooting the shackles, Jasper will apologize and attribute his actions to the trauma he experienced after losing his actual son. He will then proceed to tell a heartbreaking tale of what transpired. According to Jasper, he was teaching his son, who he claimed was named Sammy, how to shoot a rifle near the river. However, Jasper was unaware of the gun's recoil and ended up falling into the water, quickly being swept downstream and disappearing. The store owner claims to have searched for his son extensively but was unable to find any trace of him. As a result, he kidnaps the young man because of his resemblance to Sammy, refusing to accept the boy's alleged death.
Despite initially seeming like a straightforward case of a grieving father's actions, there is more to the story than meets the eye. While exploring Rhodes, players will come across snippets of intriguing NPC conversations that hint at something more sinister than Jasper Feeney's explanation suggests. The townspeople, through their hushed tones, imply that there may have been a murder rather than an accidental death. Some NPCs even refer to Sammy as the boy who was killed, and a camper near the Kamassa River alludes to the townspeople grappling with guilt over the death of an innocent, a lingering cloud of sorrow hanging over them.
The guilt-ridden conversations among the residents of Rhodes confirm their involvement in Sammy's fate and their unwillingness to reveal the truth. They either played a part in Sammy's death or possess knowledge of the person responsible. Jasper, despite having no reason to lie, may have distorted memories due to his unstable mental state when he kidnapped a stranger. Various theories have emerged among gamers to explain the silence and guilt of the townspeople, but no official explanation exists to dispel doubts. Some propose that Sammy ran away to become the Feral Man or that the townspeople are alluding to a deceased slave near Braithwaite's Manor, adding some credibility to Jasper's account. However, since the true mystery remains unsolved, players are left to interpret the dark and intricate ending for themselves.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.