We make characters tomorrow!
Below is the starting setting & situation. When we make characters, we may throw any or all of this out depending on the players’ interests. But so far excitement is high.
The basic premise:
- science gone mad (mice scientists are the “bad guys”)
- Sprucetuck as a loose analogue for North Korea
Setup:
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Sprucetuck is where all mice scientists live and make the scent the Mouse Guard use to replenish the Scent Border every Spring and Fall.
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No Scent Border = Bears, Moose, Wolves, Deer and other large predators wiping out the Territories.
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The Mouse Guard and Sprucetuck keep the Scent Border secret as to not alarm the general populace.
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Sprucetuck is dangerously close to the Scent Border and vulnerable to attack. They have science but are relatively small with no militia.
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Both Lockhaven (where you live) and Copperwood (largest self sustaining mouse city specializing in metal exporting and weapon smithing which is next to Sprucetuck) want to relocate the mice scientists out of Sprucetuck.
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Sprucetuck is ruled by a governor with a lifelong term who decides who replaces him. He has no interest in relocating and potentially losing control over his people.
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Sprucetuck’s governor dies. Details unknown. But he has no successor.
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Sprucetuck’s people are an odd type and make everyone they can take a science test. Whomever scores highest is the smartest and will rule. Unfortunately Jin, an 11 year old kid wins.
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Jin reveals the existence of the Scent Border and demands ever increasing taxes for its maintenance.
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Unfortunately these taxes mean less donations to keep the Mouse Guard and Lockhaven running smoothly. And savings have just run out.
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Jin cuts Copperwood a break and Copperwood provides Sprucetuck with a steady supply of metal, fine goods, weapons, and militia.
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Sprucetuck and Elmoss are the two main exporters of medicine. Elmoss’ has come under repeated attack recently by bands of flying squirrels. This makes Sprucetuck’s medicine supply even more crucial and expensive. Unfortunately mice complain that the quality has declined and mice never seem to fully heal, only healing enough to get by.
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Rumors claim that Sprucetuck is developing Scent based weapons. No one knows what this means but speculation runs wild from the realistic to complete ridiculous. The most dire claims revolve around weapons made from animal parts that can draw Predators to a target (instead of keeping them out).
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Jin announces plans to expand the Scent Border.
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It’s Fall… time for the Mouse Guard to replenish the Scent Border… but relations between Lockhaven and Sprucetuck are quickly breaking down.
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Lockhaven’s jurisdiction begins and ends in the wild between towns. They have sworn not to interfere with the internal affairs of mouse settlements. But with the Guard’s influence shrinking, fear spreading over Sprucetuck, and the deadline to replenish the Scent Border encroaching… the Mouse Guard are considering all options.