While riding through the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, players are likely to come upon oddities that offer no explanation or backstory. These bizarre findings include the skeletons of mythical creatures, creepy buildings with terrifying contents, and the remnants of satanic rituals. Although many of these anomalies are left up to the speculation of Red Dead Redemption 2 players, some offer disturbing details that can use to piece a mystery together.
Out of all the places in Lemoyne that players would not like to find themselves at night, Bluewater Marsh likely tops the list. Vaguely reminiscent of the Dead Marshes from Lord of the Rings, this creepy place grants players the unfortunate possibility of coming across a dead body hanging from the low branches of the trees - sometimes just body parts. Even though this image through a dimly lit blanket of fog would not be a pleasant sight, it does evoke a sense of morbid inquisitiveness for players, who are unknowingly at risk of becoming victims to the Night Folk.
The Night Folk Explained
One of three clans that delight in human suffering and savagery, the Night Folk reside in the swamps of Lemoyne, where they can be found covered in dirt for camouflage or wearing ripped clothing and painted markings. If a player is unlucky enough to find themselves lured into a trap set by the Night Folk, the first thing they will encounter may be a victim’s body, followed by a small gang of attackers who seem to appear out of thin air. The first encounter could also be a wailing woman kneeling in the mud, holding a concealed knife. Either way, a run-in with the Night Folk is guaranteed to be creepy and may result in at least one death.
Although human, the Night Folk resemble zombies, potentially giving Red Dead Redemption fans a flashback to the Undead Nightmare DLC. When attacking, they seem to move in a bestial manner, communicating to each other with strange clicks and hisses. This would suggest they have lived out in the bayou for some time, growing feral and vicious. The origins of the Night Folk are unknown, though their small settlement in the marshlands implies they are somehow rooted in dark witchcraft, as their camp features a torch standing upon a pile of human skulls.
The Night Folk's Stranger Mission
Once players have been targeted by the Night Folk in Bayou Nwa, a new stranger mission is unlocked called “A Fine Night For It.” To activate this mission, players must go to the highlighted section of the map after sunset. Here they meet up with a man called Old Cajun, who requests that Arthur get rid of the Night Folk trespassing on his property. As they wade through the mud, Old Cajun instructs Arthur to turn his lantern off, saying, “They might not speak, but they sure can see.” This confirms that the Night Folk lack any normal method of communication, behaving like a pack of nocturnal predators rather than human beings.
Despite the many horrors associated with the Night Folk, they only use melee weapons to attack, which can be deceptive for players expecting an easy battle. Using weapons such as knives and machetes, the Night Folk can kill with one hit. This is unusual in RDR2, as there are only three other enemies able to inflict such fatal damage: the vampire, the hermit, and Sheriff Freeman. Killing the Night Folk is the only way for players to wield a machete and other melee weapons before the completion of two endgame missions, as they can collect the weapons from their bodies.
The Night Folk's Home
Although the Night Folk can be encountered in different spots throughout Bluewater Marsh, there is only one obvious dwelling where evidence of their dark antics can be found. As previously mentioned, players who come across the settlement of Lakay in Red Dead Online will see a burning torch built upon a pile of human skulls, surrounded by small wooden huts and tents. In story mode this torch is not visible. Instead, the only unsettling finds are two wooden entrance posts decorated with skulls, which is enough to suggest that the Night Folk are connected to this eery swamp site.
Evidence of unhallowed activity can be seen in regions outside of Lemoyne, such as aptly named Butcher’s Creek, where a pentagram can be found. It wouldn’t be surprising if this is one of the satanic ritual sites of the Night Folk, however there are other outlawed tribes who could be culpable, such as the Skinner Brothers of Tall Trees and the Murfree Brood of Roanoke Ridge. Both cult-like groups share similarities with the Night Folk, as they relish in the torture and dismemberment of humans and are completely cut off from civilization.
The identities of the Night Folk remain hidden throughout RDR2 and Red Dead Online, with the closest related encounter being the legendary bounty hunter mission where players are tasked with tracking down a former chief driven into hiding by the law. Living alone in the swamps near Lagras, dangerously close to Night Folk territory, Philip Carlier sympathizes with their way of life and adopts similar mannerisms. Although not officially part of the Night Folk clan, Carlier offers an insight into their crazed mindset, making it easier to understand the ways of the Night Folk.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
