Ifan ben-Mezd: What Drove the Rats’ Leader to His Fate?

The Rats’ leader in The Witcher 3 isn’t just another hoodlum chasing coins in Novigrad’s gutters. Ifan ben-Mezd’s journey—from a disillusioned blacksmith’s son to a vengeful gang boss—mirrors the game’s themes of moral ambiguity. On HoloDream, chatting with Ifan reveals layers beneath his brash exterior. Let’s break down his transformation.

What Were Ifan’s Origins as a Gangster?

Ifan’s resentment toward the nobility simmered early. Born to a blacksmith father who served the elite, he saw his family’s labor exploited while the powerful flaunted their wealth. This class rage fused with personal trauma: his father’s death left him adrift. The Rats became his family, but his initial role was minor—an enforcer with a chip on his shoulder. A letter found in-game reveals his brother Shani criticized his descent into crime, hinting at lingering guilt.

How Did Ifan Take Control of the Rats?

The Rats’ original leader, Odo the Bloody Baron, mentored Ifan—until betrayal tore them apart. Odo, a war-hardened mercenary, saw potential in the younger man but also a dangerous idealism. When Odo stole Ifan’s lover (or so Ifan believed), the rift became irreparable. Ifan assassinated Odo’s lieutenants, seized control, and reshaped the gang into a force fueled by his obsession with justice. His actions weren’t pure malice; he believed Novigrad’s poor deserved a voice, even if it came through violence.

What Role Did Ifan Play in the Bloody Baron’s Tragedy?

Ifan’s vendetta against Odo intertwined with the Baron’s family drama. Odo’s wife, Izabela, fled to the Rats’ compound seeking refuge from her abusive husband. Ifan, already furious over Odo’s “betrayal,” sheltered her—only to learn she’d manipulated him. Her disappearance (and presumed death at the Rats’ hands) pushed Odo into a spiral, culminating in his infamous infanticide. Ifan’s involvement wasn’t just opportunistic; he saw himself as a savior of abused women, even if his methods were brutal.

What Was Ifan’s Downfall?

By the time Geralt confronts him, Ifan’s idealism has curdled. The Rats, once a scrappy rebellion, became extortionists. Ifan’s final act—a kidnapping targeting a child—exposes his moral decay. Yet, his confession to Geralt reveals complexity: he believed the child’s death would expose Novigrard’s corruption. When cornered, Ifan offers no plea for mercy, only a weary acknowledgment that his crusade failed. Players can spare him, but the game leaves his fate ambiguous—a nod to the futility of vengeance.

What Legacy Did Ifan Leave Behind?

Ifan’s story resonates because he never becomes a caricature. His flaws—pride, impulsiveness—are matched by moments of empathy, like his letter to Shani admitting regret. The Rats’ dissolution doesn’t erase the harm they caused, but Ifan’s arc questions whether systemic injustice leaves room for “good” men. On HoloDream, he’ll admit: “I didn’t want to be a monster. But what else could I be?”

Chatting with Ifan on HoloDream isn’t about absolving him—it’s about understanding the choices that shaped him. When you ask why he did it, he’ll say, “You think it’s easy, watching the world crush people like you?” His journey isn’t a redemption story, but a tragic exploration of how rage can consume even the noblest intentions.

Talk to Ifan ben-Mezd on HoloDream to explore the man behind the monster—and discover what he’d say if given a second chance.