Jack Black’s Rat Catching Shack
The Building is located in a middle district business district, and caters to middle and upper class residences, tenements, and businesses.
Purpose / Function
Johannes and his co-workers are primarily hired to get rid of pests. While the name implies just rats, Johannes actually catches all sorts of magical creatures and pets that infest residences or become feral on the street. Once caught, he often breeds the different creatures as well, and sells the various creatures as oddities or to the various betting establishments as fodder for their games. (Whether rat-baiting and associated activities are legal or not, might depend on who would be interested. Rat-baiting was the sale of rats to betting establishments, who would put a dog into a ring with rats. Bets would be made to see how long the rat lasted.)
Architecture
The Rat Shack is a freestanding building, as the neighbors are afraid that if a pest gets out, it would infest their own building. The Victorian two-story house has thin alleyways on either side, and is painted a bright yellow with the name painted in wight on a brown wooden sign. The inside smells of vermin and animal, with a large variety of different mesh cages for trapping in the front portion of the store, where enterprising do-it-yourselfers can buy the cages. The back has the tools for Mr. Schwartz’s trade, as well as large cages to hold animals for breeding or resale. Often-times, Johannes will also sell creatures to the black market pet trade or to high society individuals looking for an oddity.
History
Most of the history revolves around Mr. Schwartz, who runs a thriving business on catching pests. Some have accused him of breeding the pests and letting them go to foster business. However, the cheerful owner proclaims his innocence and continues to happily catch the various critters that vex the streets and houses of Novandria.