Dive into the gritty world of Red Dead Redemption 2 with the “Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners” Stranger mission, where Arthur Morgan must navigate the morally ambiguous requests of Saint Denis’ Mayor Henri Lemieux. This walkthrough will guide you through the mission’s twists and turns, offering choices that impact your honor and influence in the game’s vast open world. Explore the intricate narrative and strategic gameplay that define this iconic Western epic.
- First and foremost, you need to complete the Gilded Cage main mission in chapter 4 – that is, to meet the mayor for the first time in his mansion.
- You must then wait until the mayor sends Arthur a letter inviting him to a private meeting. This letter will not appear in the gang camp. You must visit the post office at any railway station. During a conversation with a person from the window, select the option to collect the letter in person.
Then, read the Invitation from Mayor Lemieux from your inventory. Wait till the night falls. Only then on the map of Saint Denis will a marker of the place where the mission starts appear (the picture above).
First mission from the mayor
The mission starts at the back of the property. Tap on the glass door. Talk to Jean Marc, who will lead Arthur to the mayor. Listen to the details of the first job you can do for him.
Get in the car and start your journey to the art gallery. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll need to follow Professor Shiftacre. Keep a safe distance from him in order not to be detected. Do not approach the professor until he is in an isolated place (the game will update the mission goal). You can only intimidate him by strangling him several times (do not hold the button for too long not to strangle him!) or beating him (negative points of honor). Return to Jean-March to complete this part of the mission.
Second mission from the mayor
In order to advance to the second part of the mission, Arthur must again receive an invitation from the mayor by post. The invitation should arrive about 24 hours after the completion of the first part of the task. As before, reach the back entrance of the mayor’s property during the night hours. Listen to the details of the next task.
Head towards the road leading to the swamps. You have to approach the stagecoach on horseback, jump on it and move Arthur along its wall to get into its cabin. Arthur’s task is to intimidate Hector Fellows travelling by stagecoach. Press L2 R2 / LT RT at the same time to catch him and pull him out of the stagecoach.
The third mission from the mayor
This time you don’t have to wait for a letter from the mayor. Return to his property at night and meet him directly. You will receive a book (Farm, Field and Falconry) as a gift. Lemieux wants to kidnap Jean Marc, to whom he has lost confidence and bring him secretly to the property.
Reach Jean-Marc’s home. After being stunned, go back to the property. Don’t use your horse and avoid being discovered by police officers patrolling the streets of the city. It’s a good idea to zoom in on the mini-map so you can see them from a greater distance. Go through the park shown in the picture.
Reach the opposite end of the park and wait until the policeman patrolling the street along the park turns right. This will allow you to sneak behind his back and turn left.
Continue your journey towards the mayor’s property. On the way, watch out for the passing stagecoach – stop for a moment as soon as it appears. When you reach the property, go to the back of the property as the mayor wishes.
After watching the cut-scenes this mission can be completed in two ways:
- The murder of Jean Marc – Shoot him. You will get negative points of honor, but the mayor will guarantee a bit lower prices in shops in Saint Denis.
- Spare Jean-Marc – Store your weapon in the holster or just leave it. You will receive positive points of honor. Later, Arthur will receive a letter from which he learns that Jean Marc was appointed a new mayor.
What are the key differences between idealism and pragmatism in RDR2
In Red Dead Redemption 2, the concepts of idealism and pragmatism are vividly illustrated through the “Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners” mission. Here are the key differences between these two philosophies as they play out in the game:
Idealism
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Moral Focus: Idealism emphasizes doing what is morally right, even if it doesn’t offer tangible benefits. In the mission, sparing Jean-Marc aligns with idealism, as it upholds moral principles by not harming an innocent person.
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Honor Gain: Choosing to spare Jean-Marc results in a gain in honor, reflecting Arthur’s commitment to ethical behavior.
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Story Impact: If Jean-Marc is spared, he may expose the mayor’s corruption, potentially leading to changes in Saint Denis’ leadership.
Pragmatism
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Practical Benefits: Pragmatism focuses on achieving practical advantages, even if it means compromising moral standards. Killing Jean-Marc is a pragmatic choice because it yields a tangible reward—a 10% discount at all shops in Saint Denis.
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Honor Loss: This choice results in a loss of honor, as it involves harming someone for personal gain.
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Gameplay Advantage: The discount provides a significant gameplay benefit, especially for players who frequently purchase items in Saint Denis.
Ultimately, the choice between idealism and pragmatism in RDR2 reflects the player’s values and how they want to navigate the game’s world, balancing moral integrity with practical advantages.
How does sparing Jean-Marc impact the story
Sparing Jean-Marc in the “Idealism and Pragmatism for Beginners” mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 has several narrative impacts:
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Jean-Marc Becomes Mayor: After sparing his life, Jean-Marc will expose Mayor Lemieux’s corruption and eventually become the new mayor of Saint Denis. This change is confirmed through a letter received at the post office, indicating a shift in the city’s leadership.
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Story Continuity: This choice reflects a more idealistic approach, aligning with Arthur’s honor system. It shows that Arthur is willing to make moral decisions even when they don’t offer immediate tangible benefits.
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No Further Encounters: Regardless of whether Jean-Marc is spared or killed, there are no further encounters with him in the game. However, sparing him leads to a more positive outcome for Saint Denis, as it removes the corrupt Mayor Lemieux from power.
Overall, sparing Jean-Marc adds depth to the game’s narrative by demonstrating how player choices can influence the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.
