Saving the Gamekeeper sounds like a simple errand, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 turns it into one of the most chaotic, exciting, and tough early quests. The particular objective appears in front during the “Mutt” side quest, where you track down Henry’s dog, and you’ll learn you can’t progress without rescuing a specific drunk hunter named Vostatek. In the guide, we’ll explain how to save the Gamekeeper in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 when you hit a snag with no direction and take the “Mutt” quest to finish line.
How to Complete “Save the Gamekeeper” in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The confusion starts in the Mutt quest, when Herdsboy Siegfried points you toward the local gamekeeper in anticipation that he might have seen your dog. The journal then tells you to “Save the Gamekeeper,” but the game doesn’t mark anything on the map. That’s because this task is actually linked to a completely different side quest called “Lackey.”
So, if you’re stuck here, you’re not missing a clue; you simply need to complete the Lackey quest before Mutt can move forward.
Start the Lackey Quest
To begin, head southeast of Vidlak Pond, look for the gamekeeper’s cabin, and you’ll meet his wife Zlata. She explains that her husband, Vostatek, went out hunting and hasn’t come back, which, given his drinking problem isn’t shocking.
Talking to her starts the Lackey quest. Before you run into the woods, it’s smart to stop and speak with Vitek, their son. He and his father don’t get along, but with a successful speech or charisma check (or a small bribe of 20 coins), Vitek will give you a much smaller search area to work with.
Find the Gatekeeper Vostatek
With Vitek’s hint, head north of the lake near Vidlak Pond. You’ll eventually find Vostatek perched up a tree, drunk and terrified, while wolves circle below.
- Kill the wolves (three or more, depending on your timing).
- Once the coast is clear, Vostatek climbs down, promptly injures himself, and now you’re stuck hauling him around like a sack of flour.
This is where the quest gets ridiculous.
Carry the Gamekeeper to Tavern
Vostatek refuses to just go home. Instead, he insists on showing you his personal trail of landmarks. Walking with him is slower, but the game cleverly funnels you through a sequence of landmarks that serve as a breadcrumb trail.
- The Fallen Tree: Head west after picking him. With a short walk, you’ll spot a big dead tree stump. Vostatek mumbles he knows it, which is the sign you’re on track.
- The Anthill: Keep heading in the same direction, and you’ll soon come across a large anthill jutting out of the ground. Vostatek slurs another line, confirming you’ve hit his second “checkpoint.”
- The Split Birch: From the anthill, push deep into the forest until you see a tall birch that’s been split down the middle like lightning struck it. It’s hard to miss, and again he pipes up.
- The Cairn: A few paces past the birch lies a small pile of rocks stacked by hand. This cairn is the last obvious marker before his hideout.
- The Hideout: Beyond the cairn, follow the dirt track that cuts between the trees. It leads straight to his camp — a shabby setup with bedrolls, barrels, and a fire pit.
Here, set him down, and he’ll demand water from a nearby barrel. Do that, and naturally, he is still not satisfied.
Hunt Down the Horse
Turns out his horse, Pepik, has gone missing, stolen by the bandits. Tracking the hoofprints and scraps following the trail leads you to a poachers’ camp. This is the toughest part of the quest early game: five poachers are waiting, and they’re better equipped than most early game players with no better weapons and gear. These are two approaches to get through this situation:
- Stealth option – Perform stealth kills at night, thinning the group before the fight.
- High-ground cheese – Climb rocks that overlook the camp, and use a bow or crossbow to strike enemies from a distance.
Once the camp is cleared, loot everything (there’s a locked chest with solid gear and Groschen). Then free Pepik horse and lead him back to Vostatek.
Complete the Quest
Ride with Vostatek back to his home (fast-travel triggers here if you escort him). His family reunion is predictably awkward, his son calls him out for being drunk, and you can choose to:
- Tell the truth about his condition.
- Lie to cover for him.
- Use Persuasion check to convince Vitek to respect his father anyway.
Whatever you choose, the quest ends with:
- 80 Groschen reward.
- Access to a free bed at his house, which doubles as a save game point, or when Henry needs to heal.
- Can finally continue the Mutt quest to track down your dog.
Besides unlocking progress in the Mutt quest, Lackey’s ending gives you reliable lodging, cash, and some great early-game loot from the poachers’ camp. Plus, you’ll encounter Vostatek again in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 in later quests, so it’s worth keeping him alive.
