Writing & Art References for Red Dead Redemption 2
@reddeadreference
⚠️Warning:This blog is FULL of SPOILERS!⚠️ (This blog is a big Work in Progress.) *The Ask Box is always open for suggestions or requests.* This blog was made to share reference photos and details from Red Dead 2 for writing and other fanwork purposes. (Hopefully someone can find this useful.) Use the buttons below to navigate.
(Map will be removed once blog is 100% complete. Note: Complete could mean either posted or in the queue. Progress bars to be added.)
(This post was made with the old editor so I’m most likely going to remake it once everything is done.)
Sometimes Tumblr likes to change the links, if you click a link and it doesn’t take you to the correct page please let me know so I can fix it.
If it’s not crossed off it should have a page/post linked to it.
Polls:
What should I focus on, in general?
What Location(s) should I focus on?
What Characters should I focus on?
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This pinned post is the same as the navigational buttons on the desktop and mobile browser version of the blog - this post is so people on the app can navigate as well.
(Still a big WIP so some links might be missing or pages blank)
(I’m in the process of making this post only mobile links for the app since there is no reason for page links to be here but for now they’re here.)
The links below take you to pages on the blog.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
Chapter 3 | Chapter 4
Chapter 5 [WIP] | Chapter 6 [WIP]
Epilogue 1 [WIP] | Epilogue 2 [WIP]
Arthur’s Journal | John’s Journal
Locations By State | Store Catalogue/Prices
1899 | Stranger Missions | Newspapers
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Wanna help work on the blog?
Check out this post.
Have a request/suggestion?
If there’s somewhere or someone you need photos of just send me an ask and if it’s not already on the blog I’ll get to it asap ^_^
If you have a suggestion for a main link above or another location/topic, please just send in an ask.
If you, for instance, know of a post you really think would benefit Red Dead writers/artists just send in a submission/ask and a link for it will be added where applicable. OR if you need photos of a certain location I would be happy to make a new post for it.
Think a post/location should have more photos...
/more details/it’s own post? Send me an ask. (It can be anon if you want ^_^) Sometimes I rush through certain parts, I’m posting to this blog as I replay, sometimes I forget to get details.)
I want this blog to have as many photo and detail resources as possible to help people who want to write/draw for Red Dead.
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Please also note I am only one person so it'll probably take a while for the blog to be 100% complete but I'm doing as much as I can as quick as I can. ^_^
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Navigation for Mobile App below
If you’re using the app none of the links above in this pinned Navigation post will work. When you click any of them it just takes you to the top of the blog. This is because all of those links go to pages on the blog.
So for those of you not on desktop (and/or not using tumblr on a mobile browser) the links below will take you to the post-equivalent of each blog index page. Everything will be separated and look the same as it is on the blog pages just in post form for your convenience.
(There is more listed here than there are of the posts above because some pages are not visible yet on the blog without a link to them.)
-This section going to take longer to fill out because I’ll need to make each post and finish each page first. Thank you for your understanding and patience.-
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Chapters
(includes missions and camp location details)
Ch 1: Colter | Ch 2: Horseshoe Overlook
Ch 3: Clemen’s Point | Ch 4: Saint Denis
Ch 5: Guarma | Ch 6: Beaver’s Hollow
Ep Part 1 | Ep Part 2
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Journal
Arthur’s Story:
Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 5 | Chap 6
So as most of you know, this blog is run by a singular person.. A person with ADHD, who gets easily overwhelmed by large tasks, and who disappears for months or at least a year at a time then comes back feeling awful about it only to end up doing it again. (I’m sorry x.x it's really never on purpose)
I’ve had people ask how they can contribute before and while I’ve had a page for submissions up for a while, I’ve finally decided to set up a page of "guidelines" (and this post) for anyone who wants to help fill out the blog, just to make things easier.
There are “rules” for submissions i.e. no filters on photos, make sure blur is set to 0%, etc. There are also certain formats for certain types of posts.
The full guideline page can be found here. (The “rules” portion is also under this post’s read more)
The submission page can be found here.
You can submit individual photos, multiple photos, or even whole posts for locations and characters.
You can choose to be credited as your main blog, a side blog, or remain anonymous for the photo submissions and for whole post submissions.
The only things I'm really asking for are things for Locations and Characters right now, but if you want to tackle whole mission/strangers posts I'm not gonna stop you.
Screenshots of cutscenes for stranger/side missions would also be appreciated. (Here's an example of what I mean. I think subtitles go away if you use photo mode instead of actually doing a screenshot.)
If anyone has access to clear images of specifically John's version of Journal entries for Stranger/Side missions, those would also be greatly appreciated. If anyone has a device that can run the RDR2 companion app, that's how I've gotten the images I've used so far.
If you want to specifically submit whole/full posts:
I doubt I’m going to get flooded with submissions, but I also don’t want anyone to waste time if someone is already working on something so if you would like to contribute with a fully made post either reply to this post with what you’re going to work on – that way others will see if someone’s already started – or send me a message and I’ll add an emoji "✏️" next to the applicable location/character/etc. so others know it’s already being worked on.
I will do my best to update/add the emojis at least twice a day, so check the corresponding page first (see above).
If you want to submit photos/a photo.
Multiple people CAN submit photos for the same location; I probably won’t be able to use all the photos because there is a 30 photo limit per post and the likelihood of people submitting similar photos is high.
I’ll credit each photo as they’re shown and have a list of blogs credited at the very top of the applicable posts. (Again, just be sure to tell me how you wish to be credited)
General Rules
Always give credit where credit is due. (If you didn’t make the gif, write the text, or take the picture then credit whoever did.)
On the same note as above, only borrow when you know it’s okay. (If someone states they don’t allow people to use their photos then DO NOT put them in your submission.)
No bias. This blog is for references, not personal opinions.
No “fanon”. This blog is for facts, not headcanons.
Same note as above, only include things about characters that are proven canon.
For Photos (Locations, Characters, etc.)
Photos should be taken in adequate lighting (It’s okay for location photos if surrounding areas are “too bright” in order to capture parts that are in shadow, just make sure to include a photo of the surrounding area in normal lighting as well.)
No filters (the photos are for reference so details need to be as clear as they can be).
Blur at 0%. (same as above)
Please make sure the photos themselves are large enough so that they can be added in high enough quality to the final post (same for if you’re submitting a post to be ‘remade’).
Try to get multiple angles (there isn’t a minimum number of photos you need to submit, if you only have one that’s okay.)
Think about details that might be helpful to a writer or an artist (i.e. there’s some tools and such behind the building, there’s a sign, the view from a balcony, etc.)
If the location changes between 1899 and 1907 please include any changes/differences if possible (don’t worry about it if you can’t). If it doesn’t change then there’s no need to get those extra photos.
If submitting photos for "art references" specifically please check this page to see the angles (don't worry about putting them all together, I can do that)
For Character Posts
I would like the character posts to all have the same format (Lenny’s for an example) . You can find a “blank template” on the guideline page if anyone wishes to submit full posts or just to see what things might be needed.
You can submit just photos and/or the info about the character. (See photo rules above)
Try to include a source with the info if it’s something that’s not obvious, and not just “the game”. i.e. the fact Micah has a brother, the source being a letter found at Shady Belle.
For outfit photos try to get close ups of smaller details like jewelry, scars, hats, etc. (If you only want to submit full shots that’s fine too, there’s no requirement when it comes to the photos.)
I’ll reiterate some of the general rules
No bias. This blog is for references, not personal opinions.
No “fanon”. This blog is for facts, not headcanons.
Only include things about characters that are proven canon.
There’s no “minimum requirement” you need to submit something, i.e. if you only have one or a few photos that’s okay every little bit helps.
With still so much to complete for this blog... I need direction or I'll be stuck in task paralysis... I will have other polls up besides this one, check the pinned post if you want to vote on those.
What Characters Should I Focus On?
Van Der Linde Gang
Major Characters
Supporting Characters
Miscellaneous NPCs
Shopkeepers/Fences
Lawmen
Debtors
Bounty targets
Gunslingers
Animals/Pets
Mentioned/Deceased
Voting ended onSep 23, 2025
Major (involved a lot or in major missions): Milton, Bronte, Braithwate, etc.
Supporting (not involved as much but still important): Mary Linton, Paytah, Tavish Grey, etc.
Minor (persons of interest/strangers, easy to miss): Cave Hermit, Evelyn Miller, Micky, etc.
Miscellaneous NPCs(seen once or twice then never again): Blind Man Cassidy, Curtis, Ferdinand, Gareth Braithwaite, Tommy, etc.
Shopkeepers/Fences: Clay Davies, Clive Davies, Kuo Chao, Seamus, etc
Lawmen: Benjamin Lambert, Curtis Malloy, Oswald Dunbar, etc.
Debtors: Chick Matthews, J. John Weathers, Mrs. Londonderry, etc.
With still so much to complete for this blog... I need direction or I'll be stuck in task paralysis... I will have more polls up besides this one that get more specific. Check the pinned post if you want to vote on those.
What (in general) Should I focus on?
Locations
Characters (Major, Side, Misc.)
Stranger/Side Missions
Art References (Face angles, clothing details, etc.)
Cutscenes/Transcripts
Voting ended onSep 23, 2025
To put everything into perspective the remaining things for each topic are as follows:
Locations: 34 (just about)
Characters: 300+ (Main, Minor, Side, Animals like horses, Misc, etc.)
Stranger Missions: 7+ (Just the missions themselves not the characters in them)
Art Ref.: 14+ (14 is just main characters, the rest are really just as requested/as I do characters)
Cutscenes/Transcripts: 80+ (Probably take the longest as this requires me recording cutscenes, editing alternate choices, piecing together transcripts, etc.)
With still so much to complete for this blog... I need direction or I'll be stuck in task paralysis... I will have another poll or two up besides this one, check the pinned post if you want to vote on those.
What Location(s) Should I Focus on?
Blackwater
Armadillo
Tumbleweed
Finish New Hanover
Finish Lemoyne
Finish West Elizabeth *
Finish New Austin **
Voting ended onSep 23, 2025
Blackwater, Armadillo, and Tumbleweed aren't as big of towns as Saint Denis (thank god I finished that one when I did) but they have a lot of buildings and I'll probably make map things similar to how I did for Saint Denis.
New Hanover - based on my list of locations I have - has 15 locations left, gonna make it 16 by throwing in the remaining Amberino location.
Lemoyne has 8 locations (technically 9 but one is just Clemen's point before and after the camp is there.)
*West Elizabeth has 3 locations left if you don't count Blackwater (which is it's own option).
**New Austin has 4 locations left if you don't count Armadillo and Tumbleweed (which have their own options).
I would really love to see a post about Thieves Landing, It's a really interesting spot to me and my writing group is working on a RDR2 project. I hope this isn't pushy if it's already in progress. I absolutely love the work and dedication you've put into this, also. It's been very useful to me so far and I'm looking forward to the journey towards the end result! Thank you!!
-Click here to return to the index for Saint Denis-
-If there is something you would like closer/more detail on please don't hesitate to send in an ask or comment on this post-
Front View
-There is a separate post for the interior of the manor which can be found here-
Back View
Further Back View
Another angle
There
Odd Detail (Possible Glitch)
So once the mayor's party mission is over you can no longer go inside, however you can look in the windows and I happened to see a woman.. who kinda looks to be floating/missing her lower half???
I looked EVERYWHERE for photos of the mansion #11 from your post on the Mansion District since I am using it as my OC's residence for a fanfic. I'd be so happy if you could post more pics of this mansion in daylight and closer so i can see better. tysm if you read this :)
I'm sorry for such a late reply. I'd be happy to get more photos of that particular mansion whether or not you still need them ^_^
The right page always seems to look the same, but the left one has various versions with different graphite stains from, presumably, Arthur turning/holding the page(s).
I made these using the journal part of the old RDR2 companion app (pretty sure it doesn't work anymore) which is why the bottom has the weird black lines.
Do you know if there’s any point in Arthur’s journal where he writes “Kindess, I suppose.”
I don't believe, so unless it's from an entry about a stranger mission or event. Checking the main story pages, that specific phrase isn't written anywhere.
Sometimes Tumblr likes to switch links without telling me, for example when you try to click Chapter 1 outfits it does not actually take you to that page even though that page does exist.
Wanted to apologize for pretty much disappearing for months at a time, updating the blog, then disappearing again so many times.
Either life gets busy or I get distracted/unmotivated/overwhelmed (because despite the blog, I'm not a very organized person so I end up with folders of thousands of photos from various points in the game – most of which not labeled that well.)
I'm going to try and update a lot before inevitably disappearing again lol
Maybe I'm mistaken and haven't found it, but do you have a page for blank templates? Like, I'd really love a blank template of Arthur's Journal in game so I could write in it, or a letter
But only if you can of course, I wouldn't wanna trouble you with too much work
I could probably put together a template for a blank page for the journal easily enough and I'll look into making some blank pages for letters and such. ^-^
