You’re riding through Revertex, a quiet, somewhat decaying estate in Velen. The sun is setting, casting that orange glow that makes The Witcher 3 look like a Renaissance painting. You expect a standard "clear the monsters" contract. Instead, you find a barn rigged with tripwires and a very familiar, very grumpy face. This is Witcher 3 Ghosts of the Past, a quest that serves as a bridge between games, a tribute to player choice, and a massive middle finger to anyone who didn't pay attention to their Witcher 2 save file.
It’s one of the most reactive moments in RPG history. If you killed Letho of Gulet in the previous game, this quest basically doesn't exist. You just find some old lady complaining about monsters. But if he's alive? You get one of the best side stories in the Northern Kingdoms.
The Letho Problem: How to Even Start This Quest
Let’s be real. Most people miss the Letho cameo because they rushed through the opening "interview" at Vizima. When General Voorhis asks you about the fate of the Kingslayer, you have to say he’s alive. If you’re playing on a fresh save or didn't import a Witcher 2 file where he survived, saying he died locks you out of Witcher 3 Ghosts of the Past forever. It’s a harsh mechanic.
Geralt finds Letho hiding in a barn, covered in traps. The big guy is being hunted by bounty hunters from Nilfgaard. It’s ironic, honestly. Letho did the Emperor’s dirty work, killing Kings to destabilize the North, and his reward is a price on his head. That’s Nilfgaardian gratitude for you.
The quest starts as a simple reunion but spirals into a messy cleanup job. You aren't just catching up over a beer. You’re helping a fellow Witcher fake his own death because he’s tired of running.
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Why This Quest Feels Different
The pacing here is wild. One minute you’re disarming floor plates, and the next you’re riding full tilt toward a group of mercenaries. What makes this special isn't the combat—which is standard "hit them with the silver or steel" stuff—but the chemistry. Geralt and Letho aren't friends. They are colleagues who happen to be the last of a dying breed.
There’s a specific dialogue beat where Letho explains why he chose the Revertex estate. It’s secluded. It’s quiet. It’s a place to rot. It highlights the central theme of the entire series: the world is moving on from Witchers, and the ones left are just ghosts of a previous era.
The Fake Death Gambit
The climax happens at a small camp where Letho confronts his pursuers. He tells you to stay back. He takes a "poison" (actually just a potion that simulates death) and lets the mercenaries think they’ve won.
Here is where players usually mess up.
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If you step in and kill the bounty hunters before they can "verify" the kill, you ruin the plan. Or, if you let them take his head? Well, Letho is actually dead. The "correct" path—if you want him for the Battle of Kaer Morhen—is to let them take his medallion as proof and leave. It’s a tense scene. You have to stand there and watch them kick a "dead" friend.
The Kaer Morhen Connection
The real value of Witcher 3 Ghosts of the Past isn't just the XP or the loot. It’s the payoff later in the game. If Letho survives this quest, you can invite him to Kaer Morhen.
Seeing Letho at the Witcher stronghold is surreal. He’s huge. He’s intimidating. And he absolutely hates being there. The interactions between him and Lambert are gold. Lambert, who is already the crankiest person in the room, finds a rival in Letho’s stoicism.
If you don't do this quest, the Battle of Kaer Morhen feels a little emptier. Having the Kingslayer on the ramparts, tossing bombs and cleaving through the Wild Hunt, makes the stakes feel global. It connects the political intrigue of the second game with the apocalyptic threat of the third.
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Technical Nuances and Common Bugs
Because this quest relies so heavily on world-state flags, it's notoriously buggy. Sometimes, even if you told Voorhis that Letho is alive, the traps at Revertex won't spawn.
- The Vizima Check: Always double-check your save import. If you didn't see the "Simulate Witcher 2 Save" option at the start of a new game, you're likely on a default world state where Letho is dead.
- The Revertex Scavenge: Don't loot the barn before talking to Letho. It can occasionally break the trigger for the cutscene.
- The Medallion Choice: If you don't let the hunters take the medallion, Letho stays in hiding and won't show up for the finale.
Honestly, the "best" way to experience this is to play it naturally. Don't overthink the morality. Letho is a monster, sure, but he’s a Witcher. In Geralt’s world, that bond often outweighs the politics of kings and emperors.
Practical Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re planning a replay or getting through the game for the first time, here is how to handle this specific thread to get the most out of the story.
- Start a New Game with Save Simulation: When you reach Vizima, General Voorhis will ask about the Siege of Loc Muinne. Tell him: "Letho is still at large." This is the only way to trigger the quest.
- Head to Lindervale: The quest isn't marked on your map immediately. Go to the village of Lindervale in Velen and look for a quest called "The Fall of the House of Revertex" on the notice board.
- Investigate the Manor: Go to the estate east of the village. If you see traps everywhere, you’ve succeeded. If you see monsters, Letho is dead in your world state and you should probably reload if you really want him.
- Stay Out of the Fight: When the bounty hunters arrive later in the quest, let the scene play out. Do not draw your sword until Letho "wakes up" or until the mercenaries have left with the proof they need.
- The Invitation: Once the dust settles, talk to Letho. Invite him to Kaer Morhen immediately. Don't tell him to just "go away"—he needs a purpose, and you need his sword arm.
Following these steps ensures you don't miss out on one of the most significant character returns in the franchise. It changes the flavor of the late-game content and provides a sense of closure to the story of the School of the Viper that you simply won't get otherwise.