Essay On Mouse Guard

The World:
Mouse Guard is based upon David Peterson's award winning comic series of the same name. The Guard, as they are known, are mice who have dedicated their lives to protecting their fellow mice in the Mouse Territories. The mice are sentient and live in an age similar to that of medieval Europe. But the world appears to be completely free of humans. Mice make their towns in hollowed out trees or carved stone, canoe down streams on acorn husks, and cultivate bee hives. But their world is not without danger. Large predators like foxes or owls, harsh weather, and the challenges that can come with a long winter are all met face on by the Guard. Most other animals are just as we perceive them in our own world, but certain others, like the carnivorous weasels, are self aware and industrious as well.
Fans of series like Redwall or The Mice Templar will likely be right at home here.
There is no magic or mysticism to be found (or is there?), but you will find noble heroes, no matter how small, who are willing to put the needs of others before their own. The System:
Mouse Guard games are usually a group of guard mice being sent out on a mission. Each mouse has some basic traits like Nature (Meaning how good they are at doing things mice do), Will, and Health. Beyond that they posses a number of skills. Perhaps they are a Persuader, Duck-wise (knows a lot about ducks, might even be able to talk to them), or are a Stone Mason. Nature also helps characters overcome obstacles and be reduced to help, but as a result you return closer and closer to your base mice instincts.

Each Mouse is also made of three core factors: their Belief, their Goal, and their instinct. Their belief is like a code that they live by, the goal is set for each mission, and the instinct is their default reaction when encountering an obstacle. These three factors and how a player pursues or denies them are what help determine growth of your
character.

Most tests are dice based where you roll a number of dice and depending on the difficulty and number of the die they either count as successes or not. However, when in direct conflict with another entity there is a rock-paper-scissors type mechanic where you must choose an action type like Aggressive or Feint. Depending on what either side chose a test roll my either be in direct opposition or made independently.

Mouse guard also has my favorite inventory management rules. Your mouse can carry whatever you can literally draw on their little mouse picture on your character sheet. Additionally, there are special rules depending on the season you are playing in. Being in the Guard during the Spring is very different from during the Winter.

Mouse Guard, at face value seems like a simple system. However, when you delve deeper it can get more complicated than a person may initially appreciate. And though it supplies rules for combat, is likely not going to be the game for someone who wants to kill all the bad guys and collect loot. Many missions may be simply safely remarking the Scent Border along the Mouse Territories to try and keep the more dangerous predators at bay, or tracking down a mousling that's become lost in a storm.The Guard are not heroes for their valor in battle, but their service to the greater good.

Carved into the stone above the door of the Guards Matron are these words:

"It matters not what you fight but what you fight for"

A game of Mouse Guard. It looks like there are a few Patrols out in the territories. Hopefully the snowfall stays light.