Thomas Downes

Thomas Downes
Gameplay
Game	Red Dead Redemption 2
Biography
Nationality	American
Gender	Male
Location	Downes Ranch in The Heartlands, State of New Hanover
Affiliations	The Charitable Organisation of New Hanover
Family	Edith Downes (wife) Archie Downes (son)
Occupation	Farmer Preacher Charity fundraiser
Additional info
Actor	Peter Lettre

Thomas Downes is a minor, but key character featured 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 farm 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.

At some point, Downes became financially unstable and received a loan from Leopold Strauss. However, Thomas was unable to repay the loan, resulting in Strauss sending Arthur to get his money back. 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 which comes into contact with Arthur's eye. 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 it is implied by his son that the result of the trauma he received from Arthur's assault added more to his death.

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 travelling 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.

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

Missable items

• Charity Handbill

Gallery

Arthur confronting Thomas

Thomas Downes being beaten

Thomas' grave

Thomas Downes seen in Valentine during his fundraising campaign

Thomas Downes encouraging the people of Valentine to support his charity cause

Trivia

• His grave marker incorrectly spells his name as "Thomas Downs".
• Unlike most of the other loan shark missions, "Money Lending & Other Sins III" is mandatory, making it impossible to prevent Arthur from contracting tuberculosis.
• During the fundraising event in Valentine, the dialogue will vary depending on whether or not the player has completed "Americans at Rest".