Mouse Guard RPG - Meetupfiles.meetup.com › 1458847 › Mouse Guard History Oath.pdfagree, the Mouse Guard is the law. But, in the mouse towns, the Guard only has as much authority

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� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �—Mouse Proverb

This chapter details the history and role of the Mouse Guard in the Territories. As you read

through, you’ll find a history of the Guard; a description of their home base, Lockhaven;

the Guard’s Oath; and a description of the Guard’s various duties.

After that, we break down a Mouse Guard character, describing the elements used in play and

giving the basic game mechanics for each bit. This chapter is a primer for play. Many of the rules are

described in detail later, but all of the basics of play are provided in the following section. You don’t

need to read ahead if there’s something you don’t understand. The rules are introduced bit by bit.

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A Brief History of the Mouse Guard

In the not too distant past, mice lived in tiny tree

hollows, under logs, in stone cracks and other

wayward, forgotten places. They lived scattered

across the wild without community or support.

They were hunted by predators, subject to harsh

weather, and had few supplies to sustain them

in the face of calamity. In fact, these mice were

far more likely to perish from depredation,

exposure, illness or starvation than live a long,

prosperous life.

Against the overwhelming forces of nature, a few

disparate groups made a stand. They staked a

claim on a handful of safe patches of wilderness.

As word of these safe havens traveled, other mice

flocked to them. The most famous settlement

grew quickly from a hiding place to an outpost

to a fortification and finally to a citadel—fortified

walls surrounding a prosperous town, defended

by a dedicated guard. This place is now called

Lockhaven, and it is the center of what is known

as the Mouse Territories.

As Lockhaven became more and more secure,

its guardians reached out to other settlements.

At first, the Lockhavenites tried to bring

everyone they found back to the safety of their

city. Many came, but many also would not.

Other communities, perhaps less safe but still

prosperous, had formed in the wild. They were

reluctant to leave what they had begun, despite

their precarious position.

There was a debate within the ranks of

Lockhaven’s guardians. What to do about these

other settlements? Should they be forcibly

moved? Should they be abandoned?

In the end, the guardians decided there was

only one true answer: Lockhaven must use

her strength to defend and support these

communities. All mice must prosper or all mice

will fail.

Therefore, these guardians struck out to the

distant settlements, marking paths and noting

which directions gave them more cover, better

viewpoints and quicker routes.

These brave, selfless mice quickly became

known as the Mouse Guard. As their numbers

grew and their protection was extended and

came to be relied upon, the far-flung settlements

did indeed prosper.

Lockhaven itself changed as well. It became less

of a bustling city and more of a central hub for

the Guard. Eventually, the Guard took over the

administration of the citadel completely.

The first mouse to organize the defense of

Lockhaven was female. Thereafter, it has

remained tradition that the Guard be commanded

by a female mouse given the rank of Matriarch.

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� � � � � � � � � �She is in charge of internal affairs, governing

the mice of Lockhaven and setting the Guard’s

missions and patrols. The Matriarch determines

Guard postings, what duties patrols are to

complete, and which areas in the Territories

need the most attention. Beneath her are a cadre

of captains and administrators who assist her in

day-to-day operations and long-term plans.

In the wilds between the settlements, all mice

agree, the Mouse Guard is the law. But, in the

mouse towns, the Guard only has as much

authority as that town’s government allows.

Most settlements welcome guardmice but many

defer to their own lawmice and protectors. Some

places even force visiting guardmice to turn over

their weapons at the gates of their settlement.

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The Guard is responsible for its own survival

as an organization. While it is supported by

various towns with gifts and donations, it takes

no tithes or taxes. The Mouse Guard undertakes

its duties as sacred obligations. If every mouse

in the Territories turned their back on them,

these selfless guardians would still spend their

last breath defending and protecting them.

LockhavenHome of the Mouse Guard, Lockhaven is carved

deep into stone. Only the ivy-covered face of

Lockhaven is visible from the outside.

Lockhaven serves as a base of operations for

the Guard and is no longer a true city. While

there are mouse citizens that live there, they are

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� � � � � � � � � �invited guests of the Guard. The Guard extends

its invitations to skilled and trustworthy mice

and families.

Staple foods are stored in abundance, while

prepared foods are made as needed, as it is

unknown how many or few will be fed on any

given day. Lockhaven is known for gabcroon: a

dense bread filled with seeds, fruits, and nuts. It

travels well and stays warm long after baking.

Woven and sewn fabrics are important to the

mice of Lockhaven. The Guard are known for

their cloaks, which need to be both warm and

durable, as they are a guardmouse’s primary

piece of clothing.

Lockhaven is also home to a hive of bees. The

mice harvest the honey for food and the wax

for goods and medicinal purposes. To do this,

the Apiarist uses smoke to charm the bees. The

bees also serve as a natural deterrent to other

predators.

The Guard’s OathThe following is the oath that all mice must

swear when they are inducted into the ranks of

the Guard:� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � " � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � " � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � " � � � � " � � � �