Discover all 10 Rock Carving locations in Red Dead Redemption 2 to unlock the Old Brass Compass and the Raven Claw Talisman. This comprehensive guide will lead you through the “Geology for Beginners” quest, providing detailed locations, helpful tips, and ensuring you don’t miss out on these unique collectibles.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is renowned for its rich open world filled with secrets and collectibles, and the Rock Carvings stand out as a particularly intriguing treasure hunt. Initiating the “Geology for Beginners” stranger mission with Francis Sinclair is your first step towards uncovering these ancient markings. Finding all ten carvings not only completes this questline but also rewards you with the Old Brass Compass, a crucial component for crafting the powerful Raven Claw Talisman at a Fence. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to locate each Rock Carving, secure your rewards, and even troubleshoot a common bug that players might encounter.
Geology for Beginners Quest Start
Caption: Francis Sinclair’s remote cabin, the starting point for the “Geology for Beginners” quest in Red Dead Redemption 2.
To begin your Rock Carving adventure, you need to find Francis Sinclair. His cabin is nestled northwest of Strawberry, east of the expansive Owanjila Lake (known for its Legendary Fish), and southwest of Hawks Eye Creek. Engage in a conversation with Francis to officially start the “Geology for Beginners” quest. He will task you with finding and documenting ten Rock Carvings scattered across the map.
Efficient Route Tip: This guide is structured to minimize cross-map travel, ordering the Rock Carvings roughly from west to east. While the game may present them differently, this route is designed for efficiency, especially if you are starting your search from the western regions of the map where Francis’s cabin is located.
Detailed Locations of All 10 Rock Carvings
Before embarking on your carving hunt, it’s wise to manually save your game whenever you approach a Rock Carving location. Many are situated on cliffs or ledges, where a misstep could lead to a fatal fall. Also, pack appropriate clothing for varying climates, as the locations span diverse weather conditions.
1. Owanjila Lake (Carving Coordinate 5)
Caption: The Rock Carving overlooking the serene Owanjila Lake in Red Dead Redemption 2, requiring caution for wildlife encounters.
Located just west of Francis Sinclair’s cabin and Owanjila Lake, this carving is on the western bank of the lake. Be cautious of snakes in this area. Bringing a Varmint Rifle is advisable, not just for protection, but also for opportunistic Beaver hunting in the vicinity.
2. Mount Shann (Carving Coordinate 6)
Caption: The Mount Shann Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, conveniently located along a path, offering a safer collectible experience.
Head northeast from Francis Sinclair’s cabin, further northeast of Hawks Eye Creek, to find Mount Shann. This Rock Carving is situated along a path, making it relatively safe and accessible. You shouldn’t encounter significant risks of falls or horse-related mishaps here.
3. Flatneck Station (Carving Coordinate 7)
Caption: The Rock Carving near Flatneck Station in Red Dead Redemption 2, a stone’s throw from the early game Horseshoe Overlook camp.
This carving is northwest of Flatneck Station, roughly halfway to the Dakota River. It’s also close to Horseshoe Overlook, the Van der Linde gang’s camp in the initial chapters of Red Dead Redemption 2, making it a nostalgic location for long-time players.
4. Mount Hagen (Carving Coordinate 1)
Caption: The Mount Hagen Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, demanding warm attire to brave the snowy mountain peak.
Found near the summit of Mount Hagen, reaching this carving requires warm clothing due to the snowy conditions. It’s located on a path, so stick to established routes and avoid risky rock climbing in the snow.
5. Window Rock (Carving Coordinate 4)
Caption: The Window Rock Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, perched on a ledge overlooking the Dakota River, accessible via a safer path.
Follow the Dakota River northeast until you are just south of Dodd’s Bluff and Window Rock. Stay on the south side of the river. The carving is on a ledge overlooking the river, just below the peak. A path leads to it, preventing any need for risky jumps.
6. Whinyard Strait (Carving Coordinate 2)
Caption: The Whinyard Strait Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, located in rough terrain best approached on foot from the nearby bridge.
North of Window Rock, along the Whinyard Strait river, lies another Rock Carving on the west bank. The terrain here is rugged. It’s advisable to leave your horse at the bridge just south of the carving and approach on foot for safety.
7. Bacchus Station (Carving Coordinate 3)
Caption: The Bacchus Station Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, high on a cliff overlooking the Dakota River, requiring careful footing.
Northeast of Fort Wallace and southwest of Bacchus Station, on the east side of the Dakota River, you’ll find a Rock Carving high on a cliff. Exercise caution here and consider dismounting your horse, especially if you’re riding the valuable white Arabian horse.
8. South of Moonstone Pond (Carving Coordinate 8)
Caption: The Rock Carving south of Moonstone Pond in Red Dead Redemption 2, easily accessible on horseback, making for a straightforward collectible.
South of Moonstone Pond, but north of Heartland Overflow, a carving is located on a series of hills and rocks. This one is easily reachable on horseback with minimal danger of falls, making it one of the simpler carvings to collect.
9. Elysian Pool (Carving Coordinate 10)
Caption: The Elysian Pool Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, near the treasure cave from the Poisonous Trail quest, situated on the pool’s eastern side.
If you’ve completed the Poisonous Trail Treasure Hunt, this carving is close to the treasure cave. Find it on the east side of Elysian Pool, on a rock face near the bridge at the southern end of the pool.
10. Deer Cottage (Carving Coordinate 9)
Caption: The Deer Cottage Rock Carving in Red Dead Redemption 2, located in potentially dangerous territory behind a secluded woodland cottage.
Northwest of Annesburg, in a secluded wooded area, you’ll find Deer Cottage. After visiting (and perhaps looting or resting), go behind the cottage. The final carving is located on the rocks behind the building. Be aware that this area can be risky due to potential threats.
Geology for Beginners Quest Rewards
Caption: Francis Sinclair presenting rewards for discovering Rock Carvings in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Submitting the Rock Carving coordinates to Francis Sinclair yields rewards. You can mail them progressively or all at once, though submitting them incrementally is generally recommended.
Reward Milestones:
- 1 Carving Submitted: Kentucky Bourbon and $10
- 5 Carvings Submitted: Rock Statue (valued at $50)
- 10 Carvings Submitted: Invitation from Francis Sinclair
Caption: The Old Brass Compass and Raven Claw Talisman, valuable rewards for completing the Rock Carvings quest in Red Dead Redemption 2.
By mailing all 10 carvings at once, you’ll receive the cumulative rewards, including the Invitation from Francis Sinclair. After mailing the tenth carving, leave the Post Office and wait for a couple of in-game days (sleep or let time pass naturally). Return to the Post Office; the icon will change to indicate mail. Collect the Invitation from Francis Sinclair, which will mark his cabin on your map.
Upon revisiting Francis, a cinematic will trigger. Crucially, after the cinematic ends, do not leave the cabin immediately! Loot the cabin to find the Old Brass Compass on a small table in the center of the room. It does not automatically appear in your satchel and must be manually picked up.
Troubleshooting the Missing Old Brass Compass Bug
If you find the Old Brass Compass missing from your satchel, it likely means you missed picking it up from the table after the cinematic and the cabin door is now locked. Fortunately, a fix exists, credited to a Reddit user.
Bug Fix Steps:
- Stand outside the locked cabin door.
- Create a manual save.
- Exit to the Red Dead Redemption 2 title screen via the game menu.
- Load back into the manual save you just created.
You will likely respawn a short distance from the cabin. Return to it, and the door should now be unlocked, allowing you to re-enter and retrieve the Old Brass Compass.
Utilizing the Old Brass Compass and Crafting the Raven Claw Talisman
Caption: Crafting the Raven Claw Talisman at a Fence Vendor using the Old Brass Compass in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Once you have confirmed the Old Brass Compass is in your Satchel, visit any Fence vendor and select the “Craft” option. Here, you can craft the Raven Claw Talisman for $29, using the Old Brass Compass. This talisman provides a valuable perk: it slows down weapon degradation by 20 percent, reducing the need for Gun Oil and Gunsmith visits for weapon maintenance.
Completing the “Geology for Beginners” quest and obtaining the Raven Claw Talisman is a rewarding endeavor in Red Dead Redemption 2. As you explore for Rock Carvings, keep an eye out for Legendary Animals and other hidden gems the game offers. For more in-depth guides and walkthroughs, be sure to check out our comprehensive Red Dead Redemption 2 guide.
