Only fools believe their world by what they see.
There are beings of incredible power and influence walking beside us at all times and in all places, unknown to those living in the flesh. Many exist to help us. Most encourage us to fall.
Others still are sent to pass judgment for deeds done in life.
Unto the good, peace, and tranquility when the day is over.
To the evil, a demise to welcome an eternity of suffering--an existence with a perfect knowledge of what you could have had, but refused the gift.
Four such beings, unbeknownst to the world--were sent by Pääjuma Himself, to usher in the final hours before judgement.
Fortunately for us...they came just a tad early.

Next to the Demoni Vankil my interest has run deep to know more about the legends of The Four Horsemen. And while my colleagues scoff at my determination to assertain the truth, the FAF provides a decend foundation to support my claims of these beings actually existing.

From the beginning of our great city of Clockworks, there are accounts of beings of great power, walking our lands and visiting our people. Four distinct men upon four horses, both armed and focused on the destruction of this people.
So what happened? Where are they now?
I have a theory...

Clockworks Oldest Law firm

Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise is the first law firm in Clockworks, established in 6244s, less than a month after the first Court of Justice was established among the tinkerer clans. Since that day, Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise has thrived during every conflict,

tribulation, and political administration in gnome history.
They have never lost a case. Ever.
How is that even possible? Even the best attorneys have off-days, stumble, err in one form or another...
When compiling this information, I have to admit that this single fact seemed a bit odd to me, so I did more research. Here are a few facts that just don't make sense:

• SMTM is the only firm in the history of Clockworks City that has never lost a case. There are no hints of bribes, threats, or blackmail to ensure cases were won.
• Other firms specialize in litigation, small claims, corporate, or even criminal law, Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise specializes in…law. All of it. They are registered with every guild in the city, in every district in the city, and records show they even practice law outside Pävärios.
• Tax records show only four regular clients on their books. Three are blacked out by court order, the fourth being Morphiophelius Smith (a.k.a. Chuck).
• There isn't a single photo, video, or audio available of any lawyer of this firm.
The FAF Historical Collection was generous enough to contribute two photos (after hours, with a portable scanner) reported to be members of SMTM. I cannot confirm this, but there is a court order banning anyone from viewing or publishing these snapshots (whoops). I mean, why would the archives not want to share such lovely photos?
• Most established firms upon hearing SMTM taking a case will immediately schedule private negotiations.
• All four families of Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise have always resided at the same address--the Qantir Estate

The younger, hungry firms—those trying to establish a presence in the legal community often make the mistake of challenging the four stoic and unassuming lawyers in court. Such lawyers never last against the 500-year-old firm.
To this day, the only firm that has created any type of non-confrontational relationship with Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise is the second-largest law firm in the city: Briney, Bardsley, & Clarence.
…cause the BBC knows when to keep their mouth shut.

So WHY do I believe Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise are in fact, the actual Four Horsemen?
Let me show you.

Controlled Economy

The deeper I dig, the more I find SMTM involved. Our national economy, established in 484ct (6485s) with Tri-Gear National Bank, was backed by gold and silver minted by The Gear Reserve.

What most don't know, is if you do a deep entity search (and happen to have friends in the county records office willing to slip you a few files for a few credits and an open tab on Ladies Night), you'll discover something disturbing. Tri-Gear National Bank and TGR are owned by a series of shell companies Tri-Gear National Bank by Bucketload Industries, while TGR is owned by Apparition, INC.
Both of these are subsidiaries of Kahuna Properties, which is wholly owned by STILENCE, MISH, TRITION, AND MISE!

Controlled Communications

In 6444s the largest case in history came before the High-High Court: Maximus Barr vs Interchange, Ltd.. The entire city was thriving, connected by fiberoptics--people able to communicate instantly through the use of the famous Tolk-Chat™ platform.

The problem here was that Interchange, Ltd., a data collection company with exclusive military contracts was the one in charge of installing the new system throughout the city.
Barr lost the case in a 7-2 vote against, after hearing the rebuttal by, ...you guessed it...the Law Firm of Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise.
When I did further investigation, I found that Interchange, Ltd. was granted that contract due to a specific clause in the formal bid paperwork, which states:

"All contractual installation agreements with Tolk-Chat Communications™ are issued under the obligation of using Replicate, LLC. for all data collection, storage, migration, and delivery as their primary platform. Installation company(s) agrees to pay damages upon violation of this clause, to the sum of 60% net worth of collected data at the time of the violation."

Guild records show Replicate, LLC.'s controlling stock was acquired during a hostile takeover by Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise!
I am only scratching the surface here, but I felt it was important to share the events where I had concrete evidence. My efforts have shifted to the non-public activities of the Four Horsemen, but without technology to track them (social media, traffic cams, audio recordings), I'm forced to resort to good 'ol fashioned investigative efforts.
...so that's what I'm doing next.
[To be continued...]

Current SMTM Members

^{Cartoon created with first hand descriptions.}

Peter Stilence V

AGE: 81
EYES: Crystal Blue
HAIR: Golden Blonde with streaks of white
HEIGHT: 3’ 3”
WEIGHT: 62lbs
Read Peter's Bio

Head Lawyer for the firm, Mr. Stilence is known as a true negotiator. Fair-skinned and golden hair, he always attends court in a white suit and deep purple tie. His ability to win over the hearts of any jury is unmatched.

^{Cartoon created with first hand descriptions.}

Sky Mish III

AGE: 77
EYES: Black
HAIR: Curly, Smokey Blue
HEIGHT: 3’ 5”
WEIGHT: 71lbs
Read Sky's Bio

Mr. Mish is known for his aggressive cross-examinations. His ability to recall facts and events in perfect order coupled with his blood-red suit and piercing gaze make him the perfect intimidator in court.

^{Cartoon created with first hand descriptions.}

Mal Trition IV

AGE: 74
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Short, White
HEIGHT: 3’ 1”
WEIGHT: 80lbs
Read Mal's Bio

Mr. Trition, is known as the equalizer of the team. Always sporting a deep brown tailored suit, he uses a golden set of scales as a visual. These scales are known to intimidate both the opposing counsel as well as the presiding judge.
Judge Cromby of District 10 once stated, “The scales seemed to have a life of their own, rising or falling as a witness gave their various testimonies. Every time the scales equaled out, the council would close their remarks.”

^{Cartoon created with first hand descriptions.}

Dee Mise VI

AGE: 85
EYES: Pale Grey
HAIR: Bald
HEIGHT: 3’ 4”
WEIGHT: 55lbs
Read Dee's Bio

Mr. Mise, also a powerful negotiator is primarily used in violent crime cases, negotiating damages/sentences with both judges and juries. When he stands among his peers in his pale green suit sharing his insight and reason, his gravel voice brings facts to the case while keeping all eyes on him. Rumors say he's never been denied what he seeks.

^{Believed to be a photo of Mal Trition II}

^{Believed to be a photo of Sky Mish II}

Related Items

• The Harlequin Hand-grenade

The cover to the court case exposing SMTM's connections to possible illegal data collection. Listen to the audio below:

"...I don't know when ships arrived, but Kale and I hid in the brush further up on the bank once we saw the giants hit the beach. Terrifying they were, with their huge fangs, rusted armor and swords the size of propeller blades!
But then we saw him.
A single gnome dressed in a red suit, walking with a gnarled cane. He walked down to the giants, calm as could be!
There were some words exchanged between them, though I don't know what was being said...
Then the giants charged.
...as in, they roared, whipped out their swords, axes, and hammers--and charge that poor gentle-gnome dressed in the nice red suit.
Then...it was over. Just like that. There had to be thirty heads, rolling in the sand, while the gnome in red wasn't there anymore.
...in his place was some guy in shimmering red armor, holding a glowing red sword!"

— Journal of Malcolm Vickory, 303ct

Mr. Luckyfeller,
We can appreciate your enthusiastic interest in the mystical and arcane, but we find your constant badgering over this rather humorous theory of yours, a bit disconcerting.
However, after Professor Fumblestore looked over your...repeated requests, he has agreed for a few members of our staff to look through our library for any signs out of the ordinary. To be specific, we have traced our records from 6090s to the present.
As much as I dislike agreeing with you, Mr. Luckyfeller, it seems there have been powerful magical disturbances across your homeland on a semi-regular basis. These signs do not correlate with the magical aspects of any other mägo from your society.
It is alien in nature.

~University of Magic Administration

P.S. Please refrain from sending further requests on this subject, as the staff has been instructed to use your correspondence to start the cooking stoves or fertilize the garden.

I am not deterred by my lack of support in this investigation.
A pattern has come to my attention, concerning the lower districts of the city.
Whenever crime has pushed past the bounds of shadows and reports reach the media, we find some form of catastrophic event follows.

---

--Gangs caught trafficking kids = Their warehouse base goes up in flames
--City-wide ring of Retirement Home Abuse/Theft = Accused parties are simultaneously found dead
--Greedy Farmers accused of horrific abuse in slaughterhouses = Animals turn on accused
This may not seem like anything special until you look deeper:

---

The warehouse fire did not harm any surrounding structures, even though the building was condemned and without fire-barriers.

There were 133 people involved in the Retirement Home abuse. Finding them all dead, at the same time, in a city with 1.5 billion gnomes is still possible...but they all died from starvation.

Animals revolting against abuse isn't anything new...except when the slaughterhouses have more than 1000 employees per factory and the animals ONLY attacked the guilty.

But here's the clincher: In every case I investigated, the accused were served with 'cease and desist' court orders.
...all from Stilence, Mish, Trition, and Mise.

~ Höbin