“ | He was good, and he did good. | „ |
—Edith Downes to Arthur Morgan in "Sodom? Back to Gomorrah" |
Thomas Downes is a minor, but key character featured in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Quick Answers
What role does Thomas Downes play in Red Dead Redemption 2?
How does Thomas Downes' interaction with Arthur impact the storyline?
Who are the family members of Thomas Downes in Red Dead Redemption 2?
What is the significance of Thomas Downes' fundraiser in Valentine?
Did Thomas Downes give Arthur tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2?
History[]
Background[]
Thomas is married to Edith Downes and has a son named Archie. At some point, he started running a ranch and became a fundraiser for The Charitable Organisation of New Hanover.
Events of Red Dead Redemption 2[]
Horseshoe Overlook chapter[]
Thomas Downes first appears upon the player's first visit to Valentine, to which he can be found near the stables opening a fundraiser for charity. During Arthur's brawl in the saloon, Thomas intervenes in the fight between Arthur and Tommy. Afterward, he is seen giving donations to the poor in Valentine, and he may ask Arthur to donate. He is heard coughing while talking about giving money to charity.
Being financially unstable, Downes sought and received a loan from Leopold Strauss. However, Thomas was unable to repay the loan, resulting in Strauss sending Arthur to reclaim the debt. Arthur arrives at his ranch, and when Thomas claims he has no money, Arthur threatens and physically assaults him. During the beating, Thomas coughs blood, some of which lands in Arthur's mouth. Edith tells Arthur that Thomas has an illness, so Arthur leaves the property.
It is later mentioned that Thomas passed away, presumably due to his illness, but both his wife and son clearly attribute his death to Arthur's assault and hold him personally responsible.
Beaver Hollow chapter[]
As the story progresses, Arthur noticeably begins showing symptoms of a cough, with increasing frequency and severity. After the Guarma chapter, Arthur's appearance also appears to have deteriorated.
While traveling to meet Sadie Adler in order to rescue John Marston from prison, a severe coughing fit causes Arthur to lose consciousness. After being helped to a clinic by a stranger, Arthur learns from the doctor that he has contracted tuberculosis, which is terminal and will ultimately kill him.
This leads to a turning point in Arthur's life, making him decide who he wants to be in the time he has left. Arthur himself speculates that he contracted the disease from Thomas Downes, as written in his journal: "All them bullets shot at me, all them horses threw me, all them fights and it was the beating of that pathetic little fella Downes that killed me, I reckon". He will later say something similar to Sister Calderón if the player has high honor and completes her mission strand.
Character[]
Personality[]
Thomas Downes is a very righteous person, despite his family's own desperate financial situation and his sickness, Thomas still lends himself to help with a fundraiser actively asking residents of Valentine to donate. Thomas also isn't afraid to stand up for the right thing, stopping Arthur's severe beating of Tommy outside of Smithfield's telling him he already won. However, Thomas was desperate enough to seek a loan from Leopold Strauss even though he knew he had no viable way to repay the loan shark. He loves his family, as his family loves him.
Appearance[]
By the time Arthur encounters him, Thomas is a very sickly and nonthreatening man, helpless to stop Arthur's vicious assault on him during the debt collection. Thomas has blue eyes and brown hair, with a walrus mustache to boot.
Mission appearances[]
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- "Americans at Rest"
- "Money Lending and Other Sins III"
- "Red Dead Redemption" (voice only)
Quotes[]
“ | You won the fight already, surely that's enough? | „ |
—Thomas Downes to Arthur Morgan |
“ | Please... I have a family, sir... please. | „ |
—Thomas, pleading to Arthur; a line the latter remembers during his last ride, if his Honor is low |
“ | We already owe more than it's worth... | „ |
—Thomas' final words to Arthur after the latter beats him to the point of death; a line Arthur remembers during his last ride, if his Honor is high |
Missable items[]
- Charity Handbill
Trivia[]
- Unlike most of the other loan shark missions, "Money Lending and Other Sins III" is mandatory, making it impossible to prevent Arthur from contracting tuberculosis.
- Additionally, when Arthur confronts Downes during this, the player cannot wear a mask (I.E. the Bandana) and if attempting to do so, Arthur will take it off.
- During the fundraising event in Valentine, the dialogue will vary depending on whether the player has completed "Americans at Rest".[1]
- Thomas cannot be lassoed, hogtied or killed. However, he can become a witness and will try to report the player if the latter has committed any crimes near him. Downes can be also robbed with the use of exploits.[2]
- His grave marker incorrectly spells his name as "Thomas Downs".