Random encounters/Red Dead Redemption 2

Random Encounters refer to events and characters the player can come across while roaming the map.

=List of Random Encounters=

O'Driscoll Prison Break
The player can come across some O'Driscolls, who ambushed a prisoner transport and they are seen attempting to free their comrade from a prison wagon. If the player approaches, the gang member will attack the player. The gang member inside the wagon will curse at the player for foiling his escape.

O'Driscoll Stagecoach robbery
Two O'Driscolls are robbing a stagecoach. One is holding the driver at gunpoint and the other is trying to break a locked compartment. They demand the driver to give them the key, but the driver states that the company that he works for does not give the keys to the employees. The driver will notice the Arthur and calls out for help. After killing the two O'Driscolls, the driver will thank Arthur. The driver states that the company will probably write it off as a robbery and that they can help themselves to whatever is inside the compartment. The driver will take one of the O'Driscoll's horses and leaves.

O'Driscoll beat a debtor
In Valentine, the player can encounter two O'Driscolls beating a man near a tree. They demand the man to pay them what he owes. The player can choose intervene or not intervene. If the player intervenes they will fight the two O'Driscolls and will raise the players honor. If the player does not intervene they will knock out the man and the player will lose honor for not helping the man. One of the O'Driscolls will have a customized Schofield Revolver.

O'Driscoll Train robbery
Along the tracks somewhere in New Hanover, the player can come across a stopped train. A few O'Driscolls will be holding several passengers at gunpoint outside the cars. If the player chooses to intervene, they will be forced to dispatch the O'Driscoll's and the conductor will subsequently expresses thanks for the assistance.

Note: In the epilogue, the O'Driscolls are replaced with the Laramie Gang in Big Valley, and with unidentified outlaws (labelled "stranger") in New Hanover.

Man bitten by Snake
The player can encounter a man named Norbert who was bitten on the leg by a snake. The player can either suck the poison out of the man's leg or give him a health cure. The man can later be encountered sitting outside of the gunsmith in Valentine, where he thanks the player for saving his life. He then offers to buy anything the player wants from the gun store, enabling the player to obtain a free item from the store.

The player can encounter different man, the man will tell the player that he was bitten and asks for medicine. If the player helps he thanks the player and promises to repay them someday.

Man Poisoned by Plant
The player can encounter a man screaming in pain off the side of a road in New Hanover. The player can help the man by giving him a health cure. He thanks the player and points toward some Oleander Sage, warning the player not to eat it like he did.

Trapper steps on a trap
The player can encounter a trapper, who stepped on his own trap. The player can help the man. The player will disarm the trap and can give a health cure to the man and whiskey to ease the pain. The man with thank the player and allow the player to any items from his bag.

Cougar attack
The player can encounter a cougar attack around The Heartlands region of New Hanover. A person trying to fight off a lone cougar and climbing up a tree for safety. The person will cry for help and state that they are low on ammo. The player can help the person or not help. The player can skin the cougar for a pelt and it raises the players honor for helping.

Wolf attack
The player can encounter a Big Valley region of West Elizabeth. A man trying to fight off a lone wolf and will cry for help. The player will gain honor for helping the man. The man will state that he is pain and the player has the option to give the man whiskey or a health cure to ease the pain. Eventually, the man dies from losing to much blood.

Shooting Competition
The player can encounter a Mexican gunman, who challenges the player to a shooting competition. The player will shoot bottles and birds. If the player wins, the man will give player some money.

Duel
In Valentine or Van Horn Trading Post only, the player may witness two men in a duel. One of men accuses the other man for cheating at a poker game. Afterwards, the winner challenges everyone else around them. The player can accept their challenge and duel them. Alternatively, the player can refuse the challenge, which will increase their Honor.

Fistfight challenge
Instead of a gun duel, the player may witness two men fighting, unarmed. Afterwards, the winner will challenge everyone else to a fight, which the player can accept. This only occurs in Van Horn. Beware, though, that the residents in Van Horn May begin shooting at you afterwards.

Fight
The player can encounter a fight between two men near the Smithfield's Saloon. One of men is angry at the other man for kissing his wife.

Killer Prostitute
The player can encounter a prostitute in Valentine, who will ask for help disposing the body of a client who began attacking her. If the player agrees, they can dispose of the body in a pig sty nearby. However, if the player is seen carrying the body, the law will be set upon them and they will receive a bounty. The player can tie her up and take her to the sheriff office or report her crime to the sheriff for money. The prostitute is angry at the player for reporting her crime or taking her to sheriff office. Soon after she is placed in jail, a public hanging will be seen. The player can save her from execution if they wish, or do nothing and let her hang.

Pickpockets
The player can encounter various pickpockets who purposely bump into the player and take the player's money. This occurs when entering the gunsmith and the tailor clothing store in Saint Denis and the saloon in Van Horn Trading Post. The pickpocket will take a significant amount of the player's money, and taking the money back from him will give the player their own money back and more on top.

Prisoners needs help with breaking shackles
The player can encounter a lone prisoners and the prisoners will ask the player to shoot their shackles. If they are helped, they will give the player robbery tips.

Prisoner escape
The player can encounter two lawmen and three fugitives around Scarlett Meadows. The lawmen are keeping their eye on prisoner doing a work detail of smashing some rocks. The two prisoners will purposely get into a fight and the lawmen steps in to intervene. The two prisoners will stab one of the lawmen together and the other prisoner stabs the other, but is shot to death from the dying lawman. The two prisoners flee after killing the lawman.

The player can capture the two men and turn them into the Rhodes sheriff office for money or let them flee.

It is possible to use dead eye to save the lawmen from being killed and they will thank the player.

Prisoner Transport
Two lawmen can be encounter transporting a criminal inside a prison wagon and order people to stay back from the wagon. The player can question the lawmen or antagonize them. The lawmen will shoot back if the player attacks them or follows them to close. Killing the lawmen will lower the players honor and the player has the option to free the criminal.

Bounty Hunters
The player can encounter two bounty hunters transporting a wanted fugitive and will order the player to stay back from them. The fugitive will cry for help, but the bounty hunters tell the person to shut up. The player can kill the two bounty hunter. The player has the option to free the wanted fugitive or collect the bounty for the fugitive.

Police Brutality
A Saint Denis policeman will be chasing after a suspect for stealing. The suspect will eventually stop and surrenders. The suspect will apologize for stealing, but the lawman decides to punch him and the suspect is knocked out. The player can question the lawman's actions or antagonize him.

Street urchin robbery
Two kids in Saint Denis will rudely insult the player, who can antagonize them or greet them. The two street urchins run away and, if the player chases after them, they will encounter a large group of street urchins armed with guns, and they demand that the player hands over the money. The player can either try to gun them down and escape, or simply surrender their money.

Kidnapping
The player can encounter man on horse with a woman tied up. The woman will cry for help stating that she has been kidnapped. The player can greet the man or intervene. If the player intervenes the captor will fight the player. After killing the man, the player will have to calm the horse down and the woman asks the player to untie her. There are two encounters of this, but will have two different women (a white woman and a black woman) kidnapped.

Two outlaws trying to break open a safe
The player can encounter two outlaws trying to break open a safe they stole. The will tell the player to get lost. The player can kill the men and blow open the safe with dynamite.

Robbery Ambush
The player can come across a woman calling for help and pretending to be injured on the ground. As the player approaches, she stands up and point her gun at the player and orders the player to put their hand up. Two other outlaws appear on horses pointing weapons at the player. As she about to search the player's satchel, the player can quickly pull out their gun to kill the trio.

Hostage situation
The player can encounter a woman calling for help. The woman will tell the player that a man named Mr. Abel demanded that she and her husband sell their land. Mr. Abel sent thugs visited their homestead to force them to sell and she manage to escape the thugs. She tells the player that Abel's thugs have her husband as a hostage and are planning to kill him. If the player accepts to help her, she will give the player the location of homestead and tell the player that she going to find more help. When arriving to homestead, the thugs will be heard threatening the woman's husband in the basement of the house. The player must kill the thugs and untie the man. The man will thank the player for saving him and will get on a horse to find his wife.

Lawman Abduction
The player can come across a Lemoyne Raiders campsite. Lemoyne Raiders have kidnapped a Saint Denis policeman for ransom and can be heard interrogating him. The player can choose to intervene or not. If the player decide to not intervene the Lemoyne Raiders will execute the man and the player will lose honor. If the player decides to intervene the Lemoyne Raiders will attack Arthur. The player can untie him and he will thank Arthur for saving him. The lawman will get on a horse and leave.

Killing the lawman will lower the player's honor.

Murfree Brood intimidation at player's campsite
If the player sets up camp around Roanoke Ridge, an area where the Murfree Brood are heavily present, a man in denim dungarees may approach the player's character from behind and ask to warm himself by the campfire. Although the man seems friendly, another man, also wearing dungarees, pulls out a revolver and holds it to the back of the player's head. The Murfree Brood by the fire threatens the player, telling them they should be careful where they camp. The man stands up and the two Murfree Broods walk away; the player can then kill the two men.

Skinner Brothers intimidation at player's campsite
If the player sets up camp around Tall Trees or Great Plains, areas where the Skinner Brothers are active, an event can occur where a man grabs the protagonist by their hair and holds a knife to their forehead. Another Skinner Brother appears wielding a rifle, and two men laugh maliciously. The Skinner Brother with the knife releases the protagonist, and warns them that they should stay away from their territory, otherwise they will murder and mutilate the player. The two men then decide to leave, giving the player the option to kill them.

Murfree Brood Ambush
Two Murfree Brood gang members will ambush the player and attempt to rob him.

In another encounter, the Murfree Brood want to get revenge on Arthur for expelling them from Beaver Hollow. They will hear the player coming and push a burning wagon with explosives in front of him. The explosion will knock the player off their horse and the Murfree Brood will attack Arthur.

The player can ride near Beaver Hollow and hear a man inside a tent screaming and yelling "Help! Me! The pox!" When the player tries to enter the tent, two Murfree Brood members will appear, one inside the tent and one behind it. The one inside the tent will accuse the player of trying to rob a sick man, and will proceed to rob the player. The player can fake surrender and shoot both of them to escape.

Yet another encounter involves the player falling into a pit camouflaged with leaves and grass, located near Huron Glen. About three Murfree Brood members will show up to see what fell in their trap, who can be killed by the player. More of the Murfree Brood will show up if the player shoots the first three.

Guido Martelli's men ambush
When the player enters the bar they will encounter black prostitute and states that she recalls seeing the John Marston at boxing match and would like to get to know him. The player has the choice to accept or decline. If accepted, she states that she would like to talk to John in a private place and to follower her. She will lead the player to the back door, where three of Guido Marteli's mobster are waiting. The player will lose honor for following her. The gangsters thank the prostitute for helping them lure John outside and want to get revenge on John for helping Charles. The gangster will pull out knives and attempt to kill the player.

If the player return back to the bar, the bartender will state that woman's name is Daisy. The bartender feels bad that the John was tricked and gives John a free drink.

Lemoyne Raider Assault
Most notably encountered near Hill Haven Ranch. As the player is riding along a trail, a loud voice whistles and shouts out: "There's the son of a bitch! Shoot to kill!"; 8 to 12 mounted Lemoyne Raiders will appear and attack the player.

Night Folk Ambush
The player will come across a hanged corpse on a tree around the swamps of the Bayou Nwa. If the player gets off their horse, The Night Folk will attack the player.

Blind Man Cassidy
On several occasions the player may encounter Blind Man Cassidy, where he will ask the player for money. If the player gives him $1.00, Cassidy will give the player words of wisdom / tips that also may allude to later events in the game and the overall series.

Nigel (Gavin's Friend)
The player can encounter a man named Nigel in various locations, who is looking for his friend Gavin. Nigel will continue to search for Gavin in 1907.

Prospectors
The player can encounter a two prospector near a the Dakota River panning for gold.

In one encounter, the player can man, who will rant about not finding any gold and he eventually find some gold. He takes his gold and states that he is going to tell his friend. If the player robs him or kills him, they will lose honor and if looted he will have a gold nugget.

In another encounter the player can encounter a another man near the Bard's Crossing. He will pan to see if he got any gold, but get frustrated that he was unable to find gold and walks away.

Soothsayer
The player can encounter Soothsayer in Bayou Nwa in Lemoyne. She asks the protagonist to come over and tells them about their future. If the player gives her $2.00 will give the player words of wisdom / tips that also may allude to later events in the game and the overall series.

Lost Dog
At Emerald Ranch, a boy can be seen looking for his dog. The boy asks the player if he has seen his dog, and requests that the player helps him find it.

The dog can be found under a nearby water tower, and the player attempts to convince the dog to follow him. The boy is found waiting under a tree, and his dog appears to be unhappy to see him. The boy then insults the dog for running away. The dog then escapes again, causing the boy to chase after it. Despite the boy's efforts, he loses sight of his dog.

Hayden Russell
The player can encounter a Hayden Russell, a former US Army captain that believes that civil war is still going on and that the current date April 14th, 1862. His base is in the Roanoke Ridge region near the western border with The Heartlands. Once found, the base is labeled on the map as "Clingman". When approching location, Russell will point his Carbine Repeater at the player and asks them which side they are on; North or South. It seem that Russell has amnesia and will forget the last encounter with the player.

Lost Tourist
The player can encounter a tourist from New York in West Elizabeth who is lost on his way back to Strawberry. He asks the player for help, and thanks the protagonist after safely making it back.

Drunks
The player can bump into a drunk man exiting the bar in Smithfield's Saloon. The drunk man will challenge the player to a duel. If the challenge is accepted, the man will pass out from over-drinking after reaching the dueling position, or the player can kill the man. However looting the man lowers the player's honor.

The player can encounter drunk men, who have crashed their wagons and ask the player to watch their stuff, while they head back to get a horse and a wagon. The player can steal the items from their crashed wagons when they leave, but will lose honor.

The player can encounter a drunk men who lost their sense of directions and ask the player for directions. The player can assist them or mislead them.

Moonshiners
The player can encounter two men making moonshine at their camp and they will notice the player. One of the men tell the player that their last batch of moonshine failed. The man will ask if the player can help the find some ingredients for their moonshine and will reward the player for helping them. The player has the option to accept or decline. The man will ask if the player to find some Indian Tobacco to give flavor to their moonshine. If the player has some in their inventory or finds some in the surrounding area, the man will tell the player to put it in the still. The other man samples the moonshine but states that the moonshine is not very tasty, but is sharp in flavor. The man will thank the player for helping them and tell the player to help themselves to whatever is in their chest. There will be Aged Pirate Rum and Moonshine in the chest. Helping the men will raise the player's honor.

Man with High Stakes Treasure Map
The player can encounter a man with the High Stakes Treasure Map. The man will be looking at the map for the next clue. If the player greets or approaches, he will quickly close the map and will get on his horse. If the player hogties or kill him they will obtain the treasure map and will lose honor when looting him.

Heartbroken Stone-Thrower
On the edge of the Dakota River, Morgan may find a man skipping stones while ranting about a woman called "Lily-May". Morgan can either give the man advice to be a good man and she will come, or antagonize him. Later on in the Epilogue, Marston may run into the same man where he will reveal that he got with Lily-May, but she turned out to be emotionally abusive.

Horse Race
A man riding a Nokota horse will appear and compliments the player's horse. The man will brag paying top dollar for his horse and claims that horse is fast. He challenges the player to a race to a random location in the Big Valley region. If the player beats him, he gives money to the player and punches his horse for making him lose.

In another encounter, the player will encounter the same man again. The man will challenge the player to another race. If the player wins, the man will be mad, and shoots his horse for losing.

Horse kicks and kills it's owner
The player can encounter people trying to clean their horse's hoof. However, the horse will kick and kills it's owner. The player can take the horse and will not lose honor for taking the horse. The player will lose honor for looting the owner of the horse.

Doyle's Tavern
The player can encounter the bartender outside the tavern and he calls out to the player. He tells the player that rats have infested his tavern and will pay the player to get rid of rats. The player will have to kill all of the rats inside the tavern. After killing the rats, the bartender will give the player $13 dollars. The encounter is possibly a reference of the Canis Canem -Mission Rats in the Library.

Unlucky Hunter
The player can encounter a hunter around West Elizabeth, the hunter will state the player to be quiet as he is tracking game. He will eventually will be ambushed by a bear, the player can quickly shoot the bear or let the man get killed by the bear.

Hunter needs help looking for his friend
The player can encounter a hunter near Cairn Lake. A hunter can be heard shouting for his friend named Tucker. The hunter will spot the player and ask him to stop for a moment. He will explain to the player that his friend went outside to get more firewood for their cabin, but his friend got lost in a storm. He will state that he looked everywhere for him and asks the player if they could help him. The player has the choice to accept or decline.

If accepted, he will tell the player that he will look again at the cabin and asks the player to search the surrounding area. The player will eventually find his friend dead near a dead tree with rocks and the player will inform the hunter. The player has the choice to mislead or assist the hunter. If the player chooses assist (raises honor), the protagonist will inform the hunter of his friend's death and the hunter will disappointed by the news. The hunter will get on his horse and head to where his friend died and will mourn the death of his friend. Later, a bear will appear from direction and attack him. The player can help the hunter or do nothing. If the player loots the hunter (if killed) it will lower the player's honor.

Meteor House
The player can enter a house, the player will remark on the sight of a family of smoldering bodies can be found, with a hole the middle of the home. If the player move towards the middle of the hole, the player may pick up a meteorite, which can be sold to a fence. Inside the house there is random loot.

Vetter's Echo
The player enters a house and is attacked by a Grizzly bear.

Witches Cauldron
On the north-east part of the map, the player can find an open building with a cauldron. The player may drink from the cauldron, making the player pass out and waking up a few feet away from the building.

Braithwaite trespasses on Caliga Hall
The player can encounter two Gray members shooting at a Braithwaite for trespassing on their tobacco field. The Braithwaite is seen running away from them. The player can help the Grays capture the Braithwaite or help the Braithwaite escape.

If the player helps the Grays, the Braithwaite will express his anger at the player and one of the Grays thanks him. The Gray member will execute the Braithwaite and disposes his body on the Braithwaite's property.

This will always occur the first time the player approaches the entrance to Caliga Hall.

Shipwreck
The player can encounter a shipwreck south of Flatneck Station or near the Van Horn Trading Post. The player will find a small boat flipped over with it's supplies and man that appear to be dead (a "X" symbol is seen on the map). If the player loots the man, the protagonist will be surprised that the man isn't dead and man gives the player a letter and eventually dies. The letter that the player will receive is a love letter to Bonnie MacFarlane. The player can loot a chest near the boat for goods.

Saving Bill
In Chapter 2, as Arthur Morgan is out riding, Javier Escuella will stop him and tell him that Bill Williamson was captured by bounty hunters. Arthur isn't happy with Bill for getting caught, and Javier tells him he can either help or not. If Arthur decides to help, him and Javier ride a short distance to a large clifftop, where they find a camp of bounty hunters, with Bill hogtied. Arthur and Javier kill the bounty hunters and free Bill, who thanks the duo. Javier and Bill then ride off to camp.