How do I improve my honor during the "The Iniquities of History" mission?

The Iniquities of History is a unique side mission in Red Dead Redemption 2 that involves helping a historian named Professor Andrew Bell III uncover artifacts and secrets of the past. This mission is an excellent opportunity to improve your honor, which is a key gameplay mechanic that affects how NPCs interact with you and the overall story outcomes. To maximize your honor during this mission, you need to make specific choices and engage in honorable actions throughout the questline.\n\nFirst, the mission begins in Saint Denis, where you encounter Professor Bell near the post office. He will ask for your help in retrieving historical artifacts. During the mission, you will face several moral dilemmas, such as whether to return stolen items or keep them for yourself. Always choose to return the items to their rightful owners or to the professor, as this will significantly boost your honor. For example, when you find the Native American artifacts, returning them to the Wapiti tribe instead of selling them will earn you honor points.\n\nAnother way to improve your honor during this mission is by avoiding unnecessary violence. When you are tasked with retrieving artifacts from hostile locations, such as the old fort, try to use stealth or non-lethal methods to deal with enemies. Knocking out guards or using distractions like throwing rocks can help you avoid killing, which negatively impacts your honor. If combat is unavoidable, aim to disarm or incapacitate enemies rather than killing them outright.\n\nAdditionally, helping NPCs you encounter during the mission can also increase your honor. For instance, if you come across a stranded traveler or someone in need of assistance, take the time to help them. These small acts of kindness contribute to your overall honor level. Similarly, when interacting with Professor Bell, choose dialogue options that reflect respect and cooperation, as these choices can also influence your honor.\n\nOne common challenge players face is balancing the mission objectives with maintaining high honor. For example, when you are tasked with stealing a wagon for the professor, you can choose to pay the owner for it instead of stealing it outright. This approach not only avoids losing honor but also demonstrates your commitment to ethical behavior. Always look for alternative solutions that align with honorable actions.\n\nFinally, after completing the mission, continue to engage in honorable activities in the game world. Greet NPCs politely, donate to the camp fund, and help strangers in need. These actions will further solidify your high honor status. Remember, honor is a cumulative mechanic, so every positive action counts.\n\nIn summary, improving your honor during The Iniquities of History mission involves making ethical choices, avoiding unnecessary violence, and helping others whenever possible. By following these steps, you can ensure that Arthur Morgan remains a morally upright character while uncovering the secrets of the past.