The man blinked once, twice, in rapid succession. Though he had offered to answer questions, he had clearly not intended to actually field any. Let alone half a dozen. He sucked in a breath, organizing the queries in his head before providing answers to @Vivian Cruz.

Not sure why there are no rats in the stable. My son and I are the only who stayed back - he's the one working the stable - and neither of us have seen one there. Could be the smell, I suppose. But the carriage house over there smells like horses too, and it's overrun. No neighbors within twenty miles of here. Don't know what Mister Westfall has opened, but I do know there were no blessings. Someone would tell me about that.
Had he forgotten anything? His mind was so muddled that it was hard to keep things straight. But he offered a thin-lipped smile anyway, and then turned to the other woman, @Alkaid Zexis.

No official maps, sorry. But I did jot down a rough layout that I can give you. Rats first showed up about four days ago, all of them, at once. For two days, Mister Westfall's men tried to get them out. No luck, so they all left, and he invited you lot out. And yup, they're outside and in.
He heaved a heavy sigh, his broad shoulders slumping beneath the weight of his troubles. Then he shook his head, climbed a few steps to the porch, and turned to address the entire group.

Thank you all for coming. I will be letting you in soon, but I wanted to caution you. This entire estate means quite a lot to Mister Westfall. Please do your best to keep your methods as mild as possible, and avoid destruction. There are some priceless artifacts inside. The rooms upstairs seem to be the most overrun, so I would encourage you to only send your most experienced there. Good luck.
With the last words, he began to distribute hastily drawn maps of the interior. Then, when his pile of papers was gone, he swung open the double doors. A blast of hot air carried an acrid stench, the sound of skittering claws on marble, and an odd sense of unease.
General Information
- Word limit for this cycle is between 100-500 words.
- Each person can help clear one room this cycle.
- The minimum number of individuals needed to clear a room of rats is listed below. Though more can help, that minimum must be met.
- To clear a room, players must work together to orchestrate a plan. Use your masteries and vocations, and anything that the room has to offer.
- For example, to clear a barn, you might have a beast tamer calm the animals, a geomancer create a trench to guide the rats out, and a hydromancer to flood the trenches and move them along.
- The more creative you are, the better chance you have of success.
- Remember: Avoid causing too much damage! Do not simply set the room on fire, regardless of how much you hate rats.
- Each player must play a role in clearing the room. Their contribution must be evident - they cannot stand and watch.
- There are no rolls. Make your post, and find out if you were successful with the next cycle.
- Use the communication thread, PM, or Discord to team up with your comrades, and create your plan!
- Questions? Ideas? Just let me know!
Teams
Posting Template
Code:
[center][loc=Location]Room - #/#[/loc][/center]
Post here.
[b2]Summary:[/b2] Briefly summarize what it is you did, specifying any masteries/vocations/items used!
Place this code at the top of your post! Replace the pound signs with how many players are needed to clear a room, and which one you are. So if you are the first of three, you would write "1/3."
Westfall Manor
Downstairs
Upstairs
Kitchen
A long room with a low ceiling. There is little room to move about, as the space is filled with cupboards and counters. The metal cookware that dangles from the racks clinks like pleasant windchimes with the slightest breeze. Jars filled with exotic spices in all colors are arranged in precise order.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Gym
A wide room with few windows. A hoop hangs from the wall on either end, and a variety of balls are piled in one corner. Free-weights, ranging from five pounds to fifty pounds each, are arranged in on a rack. Lines, in various colors, are drawn across the hardwood floor.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Laboratory
A small room, with a slanted ceiling, tucked beneath the grand staircase. It has no windows, and one door. Glass vials filled with numerous chemicals are housed on shelves. A long table occupies the far wall, with an ornate, complicated chemistry set spread across it.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Grotto
A one-of-a-kind addition to Westfall Manor. The small room is designed to mimic a grotto, with real rock lining the floor, ceiling, and walls. Veins of multi-colored crystal shimmer from the rockface with the help of magic. Everything is damp, and has a very earthy smell. A small pool, big enough for three or four people, rests in the middle.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Dining Hall
A massive room, used to host fancy dinners and frivolous galas. A sturdy wooden table, long enough to seat forty people, stands in the middle of an easily-converted dance floor. It is set for as many people, with plates, cutlery, and glass drinkware. Ornate tapestries hang from the walls, and a collection of musical instruments wait in the corner.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Workshop
Much of Nigel Westfall’s wealth comes from the technological advancements of his many companies. His workshop is littered with half-completed projects, metal husks waiting to be brought to life. A myriad of tools hang from the wall, and blueprints for… something… are spread across the table.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Armory
Suits of armor frame the doorway, both on the inside, and the outside. Weapons of all shapes and sizes rest on wall-hooks, and a mat covers much of the floor. Twin punching bags hang in two of the corners.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Menagerie
One of the largest rooms in the house, and Nigel’s pride and joy. Exotic animals from all over Terrasphere are housed here, in small, decorated enclosures. Everything from mountain tigers to brightly-colored birds can be found in the man’s personal zoo.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Rooftop Garden
Glass ceiling and exterior walls bring in as much sunlight as possible, and bring life to Nigel’s collection of exotic plants. The smell is overpowering, intoxicating, and the space stays warm year-round. The plants are arranged in an organized way, though meant to mimic nature’s chaos, and a multi-tiered fountain bubbles joyfully.
Requires at least three people to clear.
Library
Skylights brighten the room, decorated in colors similar to those in the recreation room. The thick carpet and dark colors create a snug, homely atmosphere, accented by a crackling fireplace and overstuffed armchairs. The walls are lined, floor to ceiling, with shelves of books.
Requires at least three people to clear.
Recreation Room
A cozy room with forest green wallpaper and lush carpet. The heads of dangerous animals are proudly displayed along the walls alongside two dartboards. A pool table with rich crimson velvet sits in the center.
Requires at least three people to clear.
Master Bedroom
Where the man himself sleeps. A large room with surprisingly modern decor, filled with sleek statues of women. There is a king-sized bed draped in white and gray blankets. There is also a writing desk, a dresser, a wardrobe, and shelves containing priceless artistic treasures.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Servant’s Quarters
A simple room, without decoration, or anything else that might make it unique. It holds three bunk-beds, with space enough for the cooks and housekeepers (those who work outside sleep above the carriage house). There are also six plain trunks along the wall, for personal belongings.
Requires at least two people to clear.
Storage Closet
There is nothing but rats in this room… right?
Requires at least two people to clear.