Orville Swanson

"I had real suffering and I lost everything, my vocation, my faith, my family..."

- Reverend Swanson

Reverend Orville Swanson is a supporting character featured in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Background
"An ex-clergyman now lost to debauchery, Swanson has fallen a long way from the standards he once set himself. If he hadn’t saved Dutch’s life in the past, it’s unlikely the gang would have kept him around for this long."

- Description by Rockstar Games. Swanson worked as a clergyman in the past, but as he indulged in earthly pleasures such as alcohol and sex, he slowly lost his job and his family, as well as his faith. Under unknown circumstances, Swanson saved the life of Dutch van der Linde at some point; with Dutch in his debt, Swanson was allowed to stay with and join the Van der Linde gang.

Horseshoe Overlook Chapter
Arthur has to go find Swanson, who was last see near a railroad station. After going to the station, he finds Swanson very drunk and playing cards. Swanson then tells him that Arthur has freed him, and runs away, forcing Arthur to go in pursuit of him. Arthur finds him being beaten up by a buff man, who Arthur can either kill or knock unconscious. While Arthur was busy fighting the man, Reverend once again escaped and got himself stuck on the top of the railroad tracks. Arthur will go and pull him out right before the train goes by, and bring him back to camp.

Beaver Hollow Chapter
After Arthur returns from Guarma Swanson has cleaned up his act and is now sober and functioning well. Later during this chapter the Reverend decides to leave the gang just as many others decide to do.

Epilogue
After being rescued by John and Uncle in Saint Denis, Charles informs John that Swanson had moved to New York to become a preacher. Blackwater Ledger No.74 newspaper, which revels that Swanson became the minster of the First Congressional Church of New York.

Mission Appearances

 * "Outlaws from the West"
 * "Who the Hell is Leviticus Cornwall?"
 * "Eastward Bound"
 * "Who is Not Without Sin"
 * "A Strange Kindness"
 * "Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern"
 * "The Battle of Shady Belle"
 * "Horsemen, Apocalypses"
 * "Fleeting Joy"
 * "A Rage Unleashed"
 * "The Fine Art of Conversation"

Quotes

 * "You got to love yourself a fire. It's one of the blessings. Sure we can have fire...and you can have the knowledge of fire, but with that comes the knowledge of everything."  – Reverend during a camp speech around the bonfire.