In 158 AG, a group of criminals led by Zaheer attempted to kidnap Korra shortly after she was identified as the Avatar, but ultimately failed due to the intervention of Tenzin, Zuko, Tonraq, and Sokka. As a result, the criminals were apprehended and detained in four separate prisons designed specifically to counteract their respective abilities. For the next thirteen years, the four criminals were monitored by the Order of the White Lotus and periodically interrogated to determine their motives, though these remained unknown as they refused to talk.