“ There is no respect for the land anymore. „ Nastas

Nastas is a supporting character featured in Red Dead Redemption.

With the addition of the Myths and Mavericks DLC pack, Nastas is also a multiplayer character model that may be selected in the "Revolution" section of the Outfitter.

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History

Background

Nastas is a Native American. He was born and raised on a reservation, where he received a classical English education at a boarding school. Being familiar with both sides of the ongoing Native American conflict, Nastas is openly critical of government policy, but also the criminal response of his fellow tribesmen for joining Dutch's Gang. He is initially an informant for the Bureau of Investigation, under Edgar Ross. It can be assumed that he agreed to infiltrate the gang in an attempt to "rescue" his tribesmen from their perceived inner destruction under Dutch van der Linde's leadership.

Events of Red Dead Redemption

John is told that Nastas has arranged for Dutch van der Linde to be present on the Wreck of the Serendipity, for John to capture. The meeting turns out to be a trap, Nastas having been beaten and tied to a chair in Van der Linde's stead. John and Archer Fordham rescue him, escaping alongside Ross in an automobile.

Nastas is later seen reluctantly working alongside Harold MacDougal. MacDougal regularly showers Nastas with patronizing ignorance of natural sciences and native culture, while believing himself superior. During certain missions, Nastas expresses his fears for the loss of the forests, and the buffalo going extinct as well, regarding American "civilization" with resigned disdain. In his words: "There is no respect for the land anymore". Marston identifies with this after a long journey during which he experienced encroaching federalism and technology for himself.

Because of their conflicting worldviews, Nastas gets into constant arguments with MacDougal. MacDougal dismisses traditional cultural knowledge, with which Nastas is adept; accurately commenting on the over-hunting of Buffalo. Contrary, MacDougal argues back invoking his poor understanding of natural selection and ethnocentric attitudes. John appears to sympathize with Nastas, acknowledging his insight. Additionally, John appears to view Nastas with respect when he unconditionally accompanies him in an attempt to confront Van der Linde.

Nastas is then instantly killed after being shot in the head by Enepay, a member of Dutch's Gang, while being called a "traitor" during a confrontation between MacDougal and the Native American members of the gang. An enraged John immediately kills his murderers in revenge.

Epilogue

MacDougal later shows his respect for Nastas by posting a paragraph in the Blackwater Ledger noting his death, writing, "May you find God, dear friend".

Events of Undead Nightmare

Note: The events of Undead Nightmare are not considered part of the same canon as Red Dead Redemption. The following description is therefore not contiguous with the preceding section on Red Dead Redemption.

Nastas appears in the mission "Curious Tales from Blackwater".

Nastas reappears as an undead, returning from the dead. Harold MacDougal claimed to have left his bag with Nastas, and while MacDougal is going to retrieve it, he is attacked by Nastas and also turns into an undead. Both of them then proceed to try to kill John. He appears to have died from a bite wound to his neck, rather than the headshot in the campaign. This hints towards Undead Nightmare taking place in an alternate timeline.

Mission appearances

Red Dead Redemption

Undead Nightmare

Quotes

“ For a wise man, you are a very stupid man, mister. „ Nastas to Harold MacDougal

“ I think they are interested to find out what conclusions a white man has reached on hundreds of years of our culture and society from the comfort of his hotel room. „ Nastas belittling Harold MacDougal's 'research' in "For Purely Scientific Purposes"

“ This is not what we agreed. „ —Nastas's last words

“ That was my fault. „ —Nastas when bumped into

Multiplayer

"I don't back down from nobody!"

"Last chance to put the gun down!"

"Come on, then!"

"Stay and fight!"

"I don't care who you are!"

"You shouldn't have done this!"

"You're making a big mistake!"

Trivia

"Nastas" is a Navajo name which means "curve-like foxtail grass."

Although Nastas is a Navajo name, it is more likely that he was modeled after a member of the Apache nation. He makes several comments about his tribe hunting buffalo, which were hunted by Apache and Comanche but not by the Navajo. It should be noted, however, that both the Navajo and Apache speak Athabaskan, which is the language spoken by Natives across the Western part of North America.

He has his own custom carved flute, which he plays fluently.

If Nastas witnesses Marston killing an animal during "At Home With Dutch", he will call Marston a bastard.

After he is killed, it is possible to loot him, and he will carry four to seven dollars. This does not result in a loss of Honor or a failure of the mission.

He, Hassun and Chogan are the only non-hostile Native Americans in the game.

When Nastas dies and the cutscene ends, if the player were to look at his body, his face would sometimes become deformed. This is the result of a glitch.

Gallery

Red Dead Redemption

Nastas' character description Promotional screenshot Nastas as he appears in multiplayer Nastas held captive by Dutch's Gang Nastas is carried away by Marston Nastas and MacDougal look down at Marston Nastas being held at gunpoint Strange looking face as the result of a visual glitch Nastas is killed

Undead Nightmare

A promotional artwork of an Undead Nastas for Undead Nightmare MacDougal being attacked by Undead Nastas