Year of Seven Swords

Immediately following the conclusion of the end of a mantid incursion into Mogu lands in one particular generation, the Mogu Empire experienced a rabid succession of Emperors to the Imperial throne along with claimants following the unforeseen death of the Empire's then-leader, Da-Yie. This year would epitomize Mogu infighting in the final centuries of rule of the Mogu over the lands that would eventually become known as Pandaria.

A Sword To Herald Turmoil
At the end of a mantid swarm incursion, the Mogu Empire had hoped to return to a sense of normalcy. However, the Emperor Da-Yie, who had led the Empire during this generation's turmoil in their fight against their perennial enemy, was cut down in the final assault by unknown mantid assailants. At his side, supposedly, was Warmaster Abei, who was told by the Emperor to cut him and claim the throne, for he had proven himself on the field of battle in the Empire's fight against their mantid enemies. Taking his sword, the Warmaster followed the Emperor's command and plunged the blade through his heart, ending his life. So the story of the death of Da-Yie and the rise of Emperor Abei is and was told by Abei upon his return to the Imperial center. And was supported by the Warmaster's closest generals, all witnesses. All made prominent members of his council. This was seen as a treachery by Da-Yie's clan, the Wushing, who were forced from power and fled into hiding in the Kun-lai Mountains.

Under their new leader Dak-Ru, the Wushing prepared for an assault on the new Abei Faction that now ruled the Empire. Gathering warriors and mercenaries, the Wushing insurgents prepared for a conflict with the new Emperor, supporting rebel movements in the south along with a slave revolt to divert the eyes of the Emperor away from Kun-lai. In an attack remembered in the annals of Mogu and Pandaren history as Abei's Black Dawn, the Wushing and their allies assaulted the Palace. Waylaying palace guards and the Emperor's protectors, the Abei Faction's most prominent members and leaders, including Emperor Abei himself, were struck down. Survivors recalled the Wushing and Dak-Ru's fury as being notably potent and no mercy was given to those found unarmed. In kind, the defenders and Abei's loyalists returned the attack in kind. Although successful in their mission to cut off the head of the fledging Abei government, the Wushing rebels were routed and the survivors fled in defeat, unable to celebrate their achievement. Although successful in slaying Abei in one-on-one combat, Dak-Ru did not declare himself Emperor. Even if he had, the palace and its court would likely not have acknowledged it. It was only in the days after the battle did Dak-Ru declare himself Emperor, though one now in exile.

A Jade Mask
In the aftermath of the Black Dawn attack, the throne was empty. The remnants of Abei's court convened with military leaders and clans loyal to Abei. Keeping those who supported the Wushing was a logical move, but the clans who had neither sworn fealty to the new Emperor but had not sided with the Wushing rebels were cut out of the process. Of which comprised nearly half of all Mogu clans. This resentment would eventually fester into an alliance of clans to restore order to the Empire. At the Imperial Palace, the convening clans and their leaders began a heated discussion. A loyal servant of Abei, a Councilor named Thran-yu Han, began a personal mission to pave the way for his advancement to the throne. Garbed in dark clothing and an ornate mask crafted out of a great piece of jade, Thran-yu watched as the Mogu clans squabbled to choose an Emperor. He began to disseminate information, both true and faulty, among the leaders of the Abei Faction and those who wished to take the throne.

