Red Dead Redemption 2is a massive game with numerous gangs, including the infamous Murfree Brood. This mysterious group of violent savages reveal themselves during the game’s later stages, and are known for extreme brutality and cruelty.Red Dead Redemption 2has other vicious groups like the Skinner Brothers andthe Night Folk, but the Murfree Brood is unique in many ways.
Unlike the Skinner Brothers and the Night Folk, the motivations of the Murfree Brood are not exactly clear. They are the only people Arthur encounters during one of the main story missions, called “That’s Murfree Country.” On the other hand, the Skinner Brothersappear duringRed Dead 2’s Epilogue, meanwhile the Night Folk can be seen in stranger missions and appear randomly in Lemoyne’s marshes.
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Not much is known about the Murfree Brood’s origins, except for that they immigrated to the United States in the 18th Century. They settled in the Roanoke Ridge area, but had to restrict themselves to Beaver Hollow after the massive industrialization of the country. Likely due to being stuck in an ever-changing time, the Murfree Brood turned to savagery by the time theevents ofRed Dead Redemption 2began in 1899.
During the mission “That’s Murfree Country,” Dutch sends Arthur to look for a new place to camp as the Pinkertons had attacked the Van der Linde gang. Arthur asks Charles to join him in the search, as the latter has a more profound knowledge about the area. As the two men ride towards the proposed campsite, Charles enlightens Arthur about the possible dangers they might encounter.
Charles says the area they’re going into is highly secluded, and not many people - even the law - go through it. He tells Arthur about the Murfree Brood, calling them “Animals” who live in a cave and have a reputation for terrorizing anyone who invades their privacy. He also tells Arthur about a stagecoach from Annesburg that disappeared without a trace a while ago, suggesting the Murfrees had a hand in it. If Arthur sets up camp in their territory, a couple of Murfree Brood members will approach and give a verbal warning to stay away.
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The Murfrees have made a name for themselves as a vicious band of murderers who also engage in kidnappings, rapes, and torture of innocent civilians.Red Dead Redemption 2players can witness some of this brutality firsthand during the game, most notably whenArthur and Charleseventually come across a couple of Murfrees and follow them to their hiding place at Beaver’s Hollow.
After killing the remaining members, Arthur sees a female figure who appears to be a prisoner of the Brood. She is traumatized after experiencing torture at the hands of theviciousRed Dead Redemption 2gang, screaming even when Arthur tries to break her free. This woman eventually introduces herself as Meredith, and briefly Arthur him about the horrors she witnessed as a Murfree Brood captive, originally being part of the stagecoach that disappeared.
Moreover, some players will also encounter a horrific scenario while patrolling the Roanoke Ridge area at night. A couple of Murfrees can be seen setting fire to an innocent person by tying him to a tree. IfRed Dead Redemption 2playerskill the attackers, their victim will labels the Murfrees as monsters who torture people for fun.
Venturing further north will encounter a lifeless body hanging from a tree, which turns out to be a Murfree ambush. If players survive this ordeal, they can shoot down the corpse and discover a suicide note by someone who couldn’t take the torture of the Murfree Brood. Furthermore, whenRed Dead Redemption 2players approach Beaver’s Hollow for the first time, they can see a corpse tied upside down, as a few members of the Murfree Brood are raiding a camp near the Elysian Pool. Here, if Arthur remains hidden, he can overhear a conversation that reveals more information about the Murfrees.
This conversation and the upside-down corpse at Beaver’s Hollow suggest the Murfree Brood possibly engages in cannibalism. Their deformed appearance also points to possible inbreeding among the Murfree members, and it’s clear they have no regard for society or wealth, only stealing food from their victims.
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TheVan der Linde gangtakes over Beaver’s Hollow after the mission “That’s Murfree Country,” but disbands soon after. If players approach this place in 1907 during the Epilogue ofRed Dead Redemption 2, they’ll find the Murfree Brood has recaptured it. This suggests the Murfrees never left the Roanoke Ridge area, instead waiting for an opportune moment to return to their home.
Players will encounter similar atrocities when theyplay as John Marston, showing the Murfrees are highly territorial and have no interest in leaving the Roanoke Ridge area. In addition, the law doesn’t seem to be bothered by this murderous gang, as no bounties are related to the Murfree Brood. Even if the player wipes out the Murfrees from the Hollow for the second time, more will be seen roaming nearby areas.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
