Mice

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Common

History

In the distant past, mice lived in 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 and subject to harsh weather. They 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 positions.
There was a debate within the ranks of Lockhaven’s guardians. What should be done 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 approaches 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, the farflung 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. The Matriarch is in charge of internal affairs, The Mouse Guard governing the mice of Lockhaven and setting the Guard’s missions and patrols. She 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 settlements.
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 backs on them,these selfless guardians would still spend their last breaths defending and protecting those very mice.

by David Petersen