I think you got the <em> tagged before and after mixed up...

In Loader.java I think the <em> before and after are backwards:
    /**
     * A list of modids that should be loaded prior to this one. The special
     * value <strong>*</strong> indicates to load <em>before</em> any other mod.
     */
    List<ArtifactVersion> getDependencies();

    /**
     * A list of modids that should be loaded <em>after</em> this one. The
     * special value <strong>*</strong> indicates to load <em>after</em> any
     * other mod.
     */
    List<ArtifactVersion> getDependants();


Shouldn't it be this?
    /**
     * A list of modids that should be loaded prior to this one. The special
     * value <strong>*</strong> indicates to load <em>after</em> any other mod.
     */
    List<ArtifactVersion> getDependencies();

    /**
     * A list of modids that should be loaded <em>after</em> this one. The
     * special value <strong>*</strong> indicates to load <em>before</em> any
     * other mod.
     */
    List<ArtifactVersion> getDependants();