r/reddeadmysteries • u/TOADSTOOL__SURPRISE • Nov 13 '18
MEGATHREAD: The mystery of Emerald Ranch
Emerald Ranch is a settlement located in the Heartlands of eastern New Hanover. It is a well kept property, complete with a barnhouse, livestock, crops and gardens. The owner is a domineering man by the name of Eugene Wegner.
There are a few main structures in Emerald Ranch: Mr. Wegner’s house, a saloon that’s no longer in operation, two barnhouses and some residential homes for the ranch workers.
When interacting with people in the area, you will notice a somber mood. The people in Emerald Ranch have a gloomy outlook on things. A sense of depression/oppression lurks in the air when listening or talking to them.
Most of the in-game dialogue referencing Emerald Ranch is regarding Mr. Wegner’s unfriendly demeanor and mysterious background.
While playing the game, you will come across a few random encounters which mention Emerald Ranch and/or lead you to the settlement.
(Personally, I have only come across one of these encounters, so I can only speak in detail on that one specific random encounter. Please detail others in the comments so I can add them)
Helpful Information about Emerald Ranch
Minor spoilers
The one random encounter that I’ve come across was the woman who’s horse died on the side of the road. She asks for a ride to Emerald Ranch. If you choose to assist her, she will tell you some of the backstories behind the area. During this discussion she brings up some interesting things:
The Saloon has been closed for some time now after it seems to be home to a murder scene. The door is unlocked, so the player can enter. Upon entering, you’ll see blood stains on the floor to the left of the bar. In the same area of the blood stains, you’ll also see broken glass—presumably beer bottles—which show there seems to have been some sort of struggle. There are also three bullet holes on the far wall, to the right of the back door. The bullet holes happen to make a triangular shape.
There is a door to the left of the exterior of the building, as well as a door to the left inside the interior of the building. Both of those doors are inaccessible—but there’s definitely a room back there. If you exit the Saloon’s back door and immediately walk to the right, you’ll come across a headstone which reads [someones name] and beneath the name it says “Accidentally shot.” I cannot find a photo or video of this (or the saloon at all) anywhere online to link here. So if anyone has a link, let me know.
Meriam Wegner has a weird backstory that seems to be public knowledge to the residents of Emerald Ranch. While assisting the woman who’s horse died, she also discusses about how Meriam styed inside Eugene’s house for an extended period of time. She mentions that the daughter used to go outside frequently when she was younger, but has since kept herself indoors.
The woman mentions that Meriam can be seen sometimes through the window which can be seen here.
The Letter found in an abandoned mail cart found near Fort Wallace among a few other letters. There is a letter that is addressed to ‘Mr Wegner’s Daughter’ and discusses how a man who the daughter had feelings for, named Joshua, was killed. The letter then goes on to insinuate that the senders’ cousin was responsible for his death.
Another Letter found at Fort Wallace, fills us in on Meriam’s name and more information about her isolation. It also gives us a little bit more concrete information about Eugene Wegner, describing him as “domineering” but not over the top. It fails to mention who killed Joshua though.
What We Know
Meriam walks up to the second story window twice every day, at noon, and at midnight. She is easily visible if the window is in view. Nobody has found a way to interact with her yet.
Meriam is staying in the house by choice
Meriam is not the missing Princess
Other things to note about Emerald Ranch:
-It’s home to the first Fence you are introduced to via the story
-there are three cigarette cards on the ranch
Remaining Questions
What exactly happened at the Saloon?
And who killed Joshua Burgess?
I made this quickly while at work, so I will be editing this heavily in the near future. Please, any corrections or additions, or links to anything leave in the comments for me to add! Thanks!
Sane Theories
the strongest theory regarding the saloon comes via the letter obtained from the mail cart. According to this theory, they letter insinuates that Meriam had a lover named Joshua Burgess, who was the person killed in the saloon. The assumption goes, Mr. Wegner didn’t approve of his daughters lover and had him killed. The headstone saying “he was accidentally shot” and there being three bulletholes in the wall contradict each other—pointing towards some sort of cover up. The theory goes on to assume that the father locked his daughter in the house because he cannot trust any men with her.
another extremely strong theory gaining steam is that Mr. Wegner’s son, also named Eugene, is responsible for the murder of Joshua Burgess. Eugene the Younger, is known for his hot demeanor and has a short line of patience. If you antagonize him enough, he will say “You don’t think I’ll kill ya? I’ve killed before!” If you kill Eugene the Younger and loot his body, you will get a powerful pistol.
Seamus, who owns the Fence at Emerald Ranch could be responsible for murdering Joshua Burgess. Hosea mentions that “he was sweet for the owners daughter.” That’s really all the information I have to back this theory up
according to some in game dialogue, the income that drives Emerald Ranch has a sketchy past. (I’m not exactly sure who says this, or when they say it. Can anyone provide a quote or a link?) I want to know where Emerald Ranch’s income comes from, and who they do business with. I feel like this could answer a few questions regarding Mr. Wegner. Can we find “brand names” on any of their products, so maybe we can find out where they sell/buy their food, livestock or anything else? Can we find anything on the property that maybe clues off to the ranch making a certain product; like “Emerald Ranch flour” on a flour sack or something like that?
Other MEGATHREADS
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u/LeCareJames Nov 13 '18
there is a mail wagon you can find near fort Wallace and one of the letters is from the cousin of the girl that is kept inside. Basically says that Joshua (I guess maybe this is someone the owners daughter liked) was killed and the cousin is sorry. I assume Joshua was killed in the saloon.
also it says that the cousin sent 5 other letters and got no response, so the owner is keeping the letters away from his daughter.
that’s all I’ve found out about it so far