[Michael Cule]

The Emperor's demise is a done deed in the history of my Yrth and I don't want to go back over it.

There being a cover-up is possible but I don't want to confuse the players as they try to keep straight what their current characters know about what their previous characters did.

Yes, neglect of the borders is something that would happen under the Demon Emperor (the new Emperor sometimes finds himself saying 'When my Father.... I mean the Usurper...') and so is neglect of other vital areas. (Note to self: figure out what those would be.) The demon was far too busy having fun and corrupting people to do much intentional damage but what neglect and incompetence can achieve has been done.

(I wonder what that reminds me of? Note to self: keep it fantastical and don't draw too many real world paralells. You've over indulged in political point making too often in the past.)