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“A Rat Problem” is one of the Contract quests you can do for the Fighters Guild in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered in Anvil after you join the organization. This quest is a unique take on an RPG trope, involving a den of rats in someone’s basement. To complete this mission, you’ll have to talk to the right people and prevent an NPC from getting some precious companions killed.
At first, you may think that “A Rat Problem” is typical of a beginner’s RPG quest – go somewhere and kill a bunch of giant rats terrorizing a part of town. However, in a similarity to the original Oblivion, this quest has more nuance than you think. To get the full experience, do this quest right after joining the Fighters Guild, as it is simple to complete for a great reward.
How To Start “A Rat Problem” In Oblivion
Pick Up The Right Contract From The Fighters Guild
As soon as you join the Fighters Guild, “A Rat Problem” will be unlocked as an available Contract quest. Speak to Azzan in Anvil to get your first details about the quest concerning the Fighters Guild. This rat-related quest is a long-running gag in The Elder Scrolls series, where the Fighters Guild will always have a quest tied to oversized rodents.

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Talking to Azzan will reveal that there is a woman in Anvil named Arvena Thelas who is requesting the Guild’s aid. According to Azzan, her “rat problem” is better explained by her in person, so travel to the NPC to start learning the details for yourself. Go to Arvena Thelas in Anvil when you’re ready, then speak to her to begin learning the surprising truth regarding the rats in her basement.
“A Rat Problem” Full Quest Walkthrough
Help Arvena Protect Some Unlikely Companions
Unexpectedly, Arvena wants your help to protect the many giant pet rats she keeps in her basement, rather than kill any of them. Arvena says that something that got into the basement has been killing her rats, likely another large animal. The frantic woman is desperate for your help, so as soon as she explains the situation, go through the Wooden Door to Arvena’s Basement as soon as you can.
Once you get into the Basement, you’ll see a mountain lion about to attack Arvena’s pet rats. Use weapons or magik to defeat the mountain lion in Arvena’s Basement to save her rats before any of them get eaten by the predatory creature. Depending on your character build, this task may be difficult, but try to keep as many rats alive to ensure the quest continues.
If your weapons or spells in Oblivion Remastered accidentally kill all the rats in Arvena’s Basement, you can still finish the quest. However, you won’t receive Fame from the Fighters Guild, robbing you of one of the quest’s main rewards.
When you finish killing the mountain lion, return to Arvena to tell her what you found. According to the quest update, that mountain lion likely found its way into Arvena’s Basement because there was a hole in the wall somewhere. Arvean will be worried that more mountain lions will follow the one you killed, so she suggests that you speak to someone named Pinarus Inventius, a hunter who can shed some more light on the matter.
Where To Find Pinarus Inventius
Pinarus Inventius is someone who also lives in Anvil, not too far away from Arvena herself. Speaking to Pinarus about mountain lions will cause the NPC to suggest a hunt outside the city, prompting them to leave their home and venture beyond the main gate. Follow Pinarus on their hunt against mountain lions to learn some more information related to the quest.
Pinarus will lead you to a clearing with four starving mountain lions, similar to the one you killed in Arvena’s Basement. Take out every mountain lion on the hunt, then speak to Pinarus again. At this point, return to Arvena to tell her that most of the mountain lions near Anvil are dead. To your surprise, Arvena says there is yet another mountain lion in her Basement, so you have another creature to take out.

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When you defeat the last mountain lion in the Basement, speak to Arvena one more time to hear her suspicions. Arvena thinks a jealous Argonian woman in town named Quill-Weave is responsible for luring mountain lions into her basement, and asks you to catch her in the act. You won’t need to pick locks in Oblivion Remastered to find the proof you need, but you do need to track Quill-Weave for evidence.
How To Find & Catch The Mountain Lion Culprit
Quill-Weave moves around a lot, so the most difficult part of this quest is following the NPC for long enough to gain the evidence you need. Go to the back of Arvena’s house and wait until nightfall, where Quill-Weave is likely to show up. Hide behind the house and stay out of sight until you see Quill-Weave approach a hole leading to Arvena’s Basement.
Quill-Weave takes a trip to Chorrol once per month, so you may not be able to find her right away. Don’t be afraid to wait multiple days for the NPC to show up at the scene of the crime to get the proof you need for the quest.
As long as you are not detected by her, Quill-Weave leaves a chunk of meat outside Arvena’s Basement. This is likely what has been attracting the mountain lions, and is exactly the evidence you need. Once you catch Quill-Weave in the act, you can confront her to learn that she just wanted to lure the rats out of the Basement, and had no intention of the mountain lions showing up.
Rewards From “A Rat Problem” Quest
Level Up A Skill Based On Your Choice
When you catch Quill-Weave, you have multiple options for completing the quest. You have one of two choices, including:
- Keep Quill-Weave’s secret
- Tell Arvena it was Quill-Weave all along
Your rewards will depend on your choice, as either character will give you a free Skill level for siding with them. Quill-Weave gives you one full Level of Acrobatics if you help her, while Arvena will reward you with one Level of Speechcraft. Depending on your character build, either option has its merits since a free Level in any skill is a valuable prize.
Doing this quest without failing will also increase your status in the Fighters Guild, allowing you to unlock more Contracts. Although “A Rat Problem” is not a difficult quest to complete in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, it does pave the path to many more rewards with the Guild.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
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April 22, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Verified
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