Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Redemption 2 NPC Stories

World on the Turtle: Red Dead Redemption 2 Chelonia

Chelonians in Red Dead Redemption 2: Who are they? What is their belief?

2025年1月21日

4–5 minutes

World on the Turtle: Red Dead Redemption 2 Chelonia

Chelonia is a cult in Red Dead Redemption 2 that you will encounter first in Mary Linton’s mission. The mission doesn’t fully reveal the details about Chelonia. But don’t worry! This post will give you more information about it, including its newspaper reports and its historical background. 🐢

RDR2 Chelonia missions walkthrough
Chelonia, a heresy on New Hanover Gazette No.27
An epitome of the historical movement
RDR2 Chelonia conclusion:
- Reference

rdr2 chelonia master — Arthur talks to the Chelonian master peacefully. Screenshot taken by the author.

RDR2 Chelonia missions walkthrough

In short, RDR2 Chelonia is a cult located in Cumberland Forest. In the gameplay, you will come into contact with the cult in the mission “We Loved Once and True III”, commissioned by Mary Linton. Previously, Mary used to be Arthur’s lover but her family refuses to let Mary marry Arthur because of his career and expectations. But Mary’s husband died of pneumonia and she wants to ask Arthur for a favor.

Jamie, Mary’s young brother, runs away from the family to follow the cult, Chelonia. However, Mary and her father believe that Jamie is only doing this to defy the family’s control. Mary hopes that Arthur can bring Jamie back and she doesn’t think Jamie knows what he’s doing.

To complete the mission, you need to head to Cumberland Forest, where you will find the Chelonian camp on the cliff. From that point on, you can speak politely, show understanding of their belief, and get to Jamie peacefully. If you don’t, you will need to force Jamie out of the group. But either way, you will chase Jamie until reaching the train. After shooting off the gun from Jamie’s hand, you can bring Jamie back to Mary by horse.

rdr2 chelonia group gathering at the cliff — Chelonians gather at the cliff. Screenshot taken by the author.

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Chelonia, a heresy on New Hanover Gazette No.27

In RDR2, Chelonia is deemed as a cult against Christian belief. After finishing the mission, you can purchase a newspaper in the Valentine the other day you walk by the town. The New Hanover Gazette No. 27 includes several interesting insights about the train rob, blackwater rob, blizzard, and Chelonian heresy. All in all, the Newspaper provides more background information and the official opinions of your actions in the world.

The paper defines Chelonia as an evil cult. Its existence is a threat to liberty. In reaction to this, the Christian families in Valentine are protesting against this cult. Interestingly, the paper also mentions that the cult is actively recruiting young people. This piece of information echoes the mission of Jamie, who is a young man recruited by Chelonia.

However, it is fair to say that the New Hanover Gazette is biased towards Christian belief as they entitle Christianity as the sole form of liberty. Up to this point of the main story, nothing harm about Chelonia has come up yet. The paper mainly criticized the Chelonia for their alternative belief about the Bible.

heresy news report about chelonia — *New Hanover Gazette* reports Chelonia as a heresy. Screenshot taken by the author.

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An epitome of the historical movement

In the 19th century, the exploration of the vast land of America gave rise to many attempts and adventures. The development and diversification of cults is one of them. To be more specific, the first half of the 19th century witnessed many rises and falls in religious practices. It is the extension and belief of freedom and liberty taking its religious form. The well-known cults include The Shakers, The Adventists, etc. The political climate, as well as the inspiring landscape, become the fertile land for the growth of cultish beliefs.

To start with, Chelonia is the name of one type of turtle. The green sea turtle is called Chelonia mydas. The icon adopted by Chelonia is also a turtle against the blue background. It symbolizes a turtle in the ocean. The Chelonian master also wears a sea turtle pendant on his neck.

Both Indian and Chinese myths of how the world is founded involve the turtle as something that holds the world and cosmic in its good shape.

Moreover, native American legend also develops the concept of a world turtle who carries the world on its back. Jaspar Danckaerts recorded the turtle myth of the Delaware Indians who were located in the Eastern US. (Miller, 306) Other nearby tribes also share similar beliefs, such as Iroquois. Turtle has many qualities entitling them to this myth, including their long life span, and steadfast and solid characteristics. These qualities forge them to be the world-founding role.

Green sea turtle - Wikipedia — Green sea turtle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle

RDR2 Chelonia conclusion:

Red Dead Redemption 2 captures many historical details and background of the United States back then. If you take a moment to stand on the cliff of the Chelonian camp, you wouldn’t be surprised that its followers get inspired by the sublimeness of the view. Like the great American landscape painting at that time, it is an awe-inspiring nation with sublime views.