The Ghosts of the Past quest in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt is one of the most memorable secondary missions in Velen. It reunites Geralt of Rivia with Letho of Gulet, a fellow witcher whose fate depends on choices made in the previous game. Successfully navigating this storyline unlocks valuable dialogue options and an essential ally for later battles.
Prerequisites for Unlocking the Quest
To access this quest, players must ensure that Letho survived the events of The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings. When starting a new game, you must either import a save file where Letho lives or simulate a Witcher 2 save during the Imperial Audience interrogation in Vizima. If Letho is dead in your storyline, Reardon Manor will instead be infested with wraiths during a standard monster contract.
Once the prerequisites are satisfied, head directly to Reardon Manor located in the heart of Velen. Upon arriving at the farmstead, you will notice several tripwires and booby traps scattered across the yard. Inspecting the noise coming from inside the barn loft leads Geralt directly to Letho.
Tracking Down Traitors and Bounty Hunters
Shortly after finding Letho, a group of armed bounty hunters arrives at the property to claim the price on his head. Geralt must assist Letho in fighting off these mercenaries to clear the immediate threat. Afterwards, Letho requests Geralt's aid in hunting down Louis, a former ally who betrayed his location.
Riding alongside Letho leads to an abandoned encampment where Louis and his bandit companions are hiding out. Defeating the bandits forces Louis to reveal that the remaining headhunters are stationed near Lindenvale. Accompanying Letho to the village sets up the dramatic climax of the entire questline.
Handling the Confrontation in Lindenvale
When you reach Lindenvale, Letho instructs Geralt not to interfere with the upcoming confrontation. A cutscene plays where Vester's men shoot Letho with a crossbow bolt, causing him to collapse to the ground. Geralt then faces a critical decision on how to handle Vester and the bounty hunters.
If Geralt chooses not to fight, he can convince the mercenaries to take Letho's viper medallion as proof of death. This fulfills Letho's plan to fake his death using a specialized paralyzing poison applied to the bolt. However, if Geralt attacks and slaughters Vester's men, Letho's death is not reported, leaving him hunted by future mercenaries.
Recruiting Letho for Kaer Morhen
After Letho recovers from the effects of the poison, Geralt can discuss his future plans with his fellow witcher. You will have the option to invite Letho to seek refuge at the witcher fortress of Kaer Morhen. Accepting this invitation ensures Letho appears as a powerful combat ally during the pivotal Battle of Kaer Morhen later in the main campaign.
If you decline to offer him shelter, Letho will instead choose to travel to the distant lands of Zerrikania. Completing this quest not only resolves Letho's personal conflict but also rewards Geralt with experience points and valuable loot from fallen enemies. Careful decision-making here guarantees the best outcome for both witchers involved.
