Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

A place to discuss and ask questions about the fourth part of The Elder Scrolls series and its expansions
Locked
phyllisbarnaby
Layman
Layman
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 2:27 am
ES Games: Oblivion
Platform: PS3
Status: Um... alive?
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by phyllisbarnaby »

Hi everyone,
I searched for the answer to this problem for quite a while and I couldn't find anything, so I'm hoping someone can help me out.
I was doing the quest "A Rat Problem" for the Fighters Guild, and I got to the part where you're supposed to spy on Quill-Weave and watch her leave meat in what's-her-face-the-elf's backyard.
The first time, Quill-Weave saw me sitting there in sneak mode and she stopped, so I moved away. When I came back, Quill-Weave was gone and the meat was already sitting there.
I've been back there about four or five times since then, sitting in the backyard for hours in sneak mode and waiting for her to do it again. Each time she sees me sitting there - even when I have chameleon enchantments on - and she stops and walks away.
Do you only get one chance to witness her leaving the meat? If so, is there a way you can force the quest on or bypass it? (I play on a PS3 if that makes a difference.) I really want to continue with the Fighter's Guild quest line, but this dumb rat quest is holding me up!
Thanks for your help.
What do you want, tree-hugger?
User avatar
Ilikeskooma
Apprentice
Apprentice
Posts: 138
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:35 pm
ES Games: Oblivion
Platform: Ps3/xbox360
Status: I always feel like someone's watching me
Location: Anvil

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by Ilikeskooma »

Hmmm I had the same problem. have you tried talking to quill-weave yet? Sometimes it will give you The quest advancement anyway.
Ilikeskooma wrote:Who believes a s'wit? They're known for being s'witty
User avatar
Jeff
Grand Master
Grand Master
Posts: 4680
Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:35 pm
Status: Gone

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by Jeff »

Did you get the Quest Update:
Wiki wrote:I've seen Quill-Weave leaving meat outside Arvena Thelas' house. This must be what is attracting the mountain lions into town and into Arvena's basement. I should confront Quill-Weave.
She should not leave the meat if she detects you. If she left the meat, then you should have seen her do it, without being detected. It could be that it was not actually Quill-Weave that saw you, but an Anvil Guard.

Have you tried talking to Quill-Weave?

Have you tried to go back to a previous save, before you recieved this Quest Update:
Arvena now believes that her neighbor, Quill-Weave, might be responsible. Arvena has seen her sneaking around outside the house at night. I should watch Quill-Weave and see what she's doing. I should not let Quill-Weave see me, though, lest she get suspicious.
The best place to spy, is behind a wall with bushes. Between the Gate to Anvil, and the back of Arvena's back yard.
"à tout le monde, à tous mes amis, je vous aime, je dois partir"
phyllisbarnaby
Layman
Layman
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 2:27 am
ES Games: Oblivion
Platform: PS3
Status: Um... alive?
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by phyllisbarnaby »

I tried talking to Quill-Weave, she just denied knowing what I was talking about.
Every time she gets close, the crosshair turns gold. Then she wanders aimlessly around the backyard for a bit.
What do you want, tree-hugger?
User avatar
Wolfie
Grand Master
Grand Master
Posts: 2846
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:17 pm
ES Games: Oblivion, Morrowind, Arena
Platform: Xbox 360, PC

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by Wolfie »

try to hide where he suggested, you do not get only one shoot you c an it over and over till you get it.
A Snow-Hammer of the UESP Stormcloaks
merlinthewizard
Initiate
Initiate
Posts: 45
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:00 pm
ES Games: Morrowind, Oblivion
Platform: PC, PS3

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by merlinthewizard »

I have the PS3 version as well and have finished that quest.
If I'm not mistaken I had to talk to her after seeing her put the meat down.
User avatar
Lord_Carson158
Initiate
Initiate
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 12:28 am
ES Games: Arena ,Morrowind, Oblivion, Oblivion GOTY, Skyrim
Platform: Xbox, PC, Xbox 360
Location: Australia

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by Lord_Carson158 »

she will leave the meat if she can see you just wait till 12 midnight and you should see her drop the meat
Retainer or The Great House Hlaalu

The realm is dead!

Sheogorath is dead!

All shall crumble before Jyggalag!

Image
OblivionDuruza
Grand Master
Grand Master
Posts: 6881
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:44 am
UESPoints: 5

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by OblivionDuruza »

Even if Quill-Weave sees you, once you leave her line of sight, she should continue as normal, placing the meat as you watch on, giving you a quest update. After which, you need to talk to her.

I doubt that it's a bug that you're experiencing. Double check that you haven't got a quest update and then just keep at sneaking up on her. You don't need to get all that close, and it is pretty easy to spy on her from the Main Gate side of Arvena's backyard. Best of luck.
User avatar
Rynkar
Warder
Warder
Posts: 481
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:39 am
ES Games: oblivion GOTY, Skyrim
Platform: Xbox-360
Status: Ready for some skyrim dlc...
Location: Nightingale Hall.

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by Rynkar »

I just waited while in sneak mode and it gave me the next part anyways.
Spoiler:
In their tongue, I am Dovahkiin: Dragon Born!
phyllisbarnaby
Layman
Layman
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 2:27 am
ES Games: Oblivion
Platform: PS3
Status: Um... alive?
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Re: Stuck on "A Rat Problem"

Post by phyllisbarnaby »

Update: I got past it. I had to cast an Invisibility spell over and over and waited for about six hours, game-time, and ended up basically stalking her until she did it. Thanks for all your help!
What do you want, tree-hugger?
Locked