Do Not Seek Absolution – I is the 69th main story mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). This walkthrough will guide you through all objectives of Do Not Seek Absolution – I Main Quest including all Gold Medals for 100% completion.
How to Unlock Do Not Seek Absolution – I: it is unlocked after completing A Fork in the Road, however you have to have honor level 4 of 8 for it to appear. This means when you press 
the honor bar must be filled halfway to the right. An easy way to increase honor is to catch and release fish, which you can repeat infinitely. Doing bounties is also a great way to get honor. Furthermore, in Chapter 6 you earn +50% honor for all of your actions so it goes much quicker than usual. For all ways to farm honor, check our Red Dead Redemption 2 Honor Guide.
Quest Giver: Edith Downes
Chapter: 6
Region: New Hanover
Gold Medal Requirements:
- Complete within 1 minute 20 seconds
Starting Location: Annesburg, New Hanover
Save Archie
Tragically, you will find Edith Downes in the mining town of Annesburg during chapter 6. Skip the cinematic as soon as it begins.
It is obvious that Arthur’s actions have destroyed her life, and its hard not to question your choices at the sight. When he tries to explain, Edith turns on him, and points our the hypocrisy of his explanation. Her son is working in the mines above Annesburg, and is being bullied by the foreman. Though she wants nothing to do with Arthur, he feels he has to help somehow.
- GOLD MEDAL: Complete within 1 minute 20 seconds
Immediately after skipping the cinematic, get to your horse and ride for the mine.
When you get there, you’ll interrupt the foreman already about to beat Archie. Skip this cinematic.
Immediately after the cinematic you will be in a fight with the foreman and one other miner. There are two key points to finishing this fight quickly.
First, you only have to defeat the foreman to end the fight. Concentrate on him, and maneuver the fight so that he is always between you and the other miner so you don’t have to deal with him.
Second, to end the fight efficiently you need to concentrate solely on counter-punching. Move in on the foireman, wait until he throws a punch, block it, then hit back with a three hit combo. It should only take two or three combos to finish him off in under 30 seconds.
Skip the final cinematic in which Arthur gives Archie a large wad of cash and begs him to take his mother far away from the muddy cesspit that is Annesburg.
This finishes Do Not Seek Absolution – I main mission in Red Dead Redemption 2. Now the next quest Do Not Seek Absolution – II starts.
Next Up: Do Not Seek Absolution – II
For more Walkthroughs with all gold medals, check out the complete Red Dead Redemption 2 Story Walkthrough.
If you don’t have a high enough honor level when you complete “A Fork in the Road”, does this mission still not appear if you increase your honor level as Arthur before finishing Chapter 6?
My honor level wasn’t high enough when I completed “A Fork in the Road” but I’ve subsequently increased it to a high enough level to trigger the mission, but Edith Downes has still not appeared. Am I screwed, or do I just need to leave Annesburg and save/load/camp enough times to trigger her appearance?