Final Address by Saint Dafyd

Purpose

It's obvious that the nature of Saint Dafy's last address was to make his imminent demise apparent. It was intent to ensure that people did not devolve into trying to find further meaning into his passing or attempt to replace him with another figure and instead rely on what already existed. It also reads as if Saint Dafyd is apologising for his own actions (though likely the lacklustre attempt is due to this thirteenth address, where Saint Dafyd apologised for his military campaigns, and likely did not want to tread the same water).

Historical Details

Background

By 305 RB, Emperor Consort Dafyd was becoming sickly and weak. He had suffered a number of illnesses in the cold of Yule's Heart and in his travels from Valyea to other parts of the Empire from 296 RB until 304 RB. In 305 RB, he spent a great deal of the year bedridden. However Dafyd wished not to leave his peoples without direction. When he could no longer leave the palace without company, he began to make addresses to the people. Many would make pilgrimage to Jokipalat to hear these addresses. In total, Emperor Consort Dafyd made nineteen addresses, attempting to alleviate concerns of the people in these speeches.
This address was the final address made, two months before he passed.

Legacy

The final address is the final and most important piece of scripture that was compiled into the Words of Dafyd, and is often used as the reason for the Dafydism branch of Hommism. The directives that Saint Dafyd gave have become synonymous with Dafydism, with churches to Saint Dafyd often showing these directives in some form or another.
Over time these have been adapted and debated. For example, the directive 'to hold Hom's creations sacred' has often been debated on whether livestock and animals should be treated without cruelty, or whether the means for livelihoods mean they are treated as sacred as Hom expects - this has caused some divided between the east and west. The standard listing for Saint Dafyd's directives are:

1. to treat one another as well as you would want to be treated yourself
2. to not steal for one's vices (Often amended to read 'to no steal' with no reference to vices - its likely Saint Dafyd wished to pardon those who stole with no other option)
3. to not kill under Hom's name in vain (Sometimes omitted entirely, and sometimes amended to read 'to not kill' with no reference to Hom. Likely to pardon those who kill in military service, but possibly to pardon Dafyd himself and his own involvement. The latter amendment is debated often.)
4. to not betray the trust of your peers (Adapted to account for not just partnership in marriage)
5. to raise your children with love not fear
6. to have what you need, and give what you can
7. to hold Hom's creations sacred
8. to work hard in the week and rest on the day on the Hom
9. to listen to your elders, but encourage your youngers
10. to hold Hom as our highest authority and no other (Sometimes amended to read 'to hold Hom as our highest authority alongside our Empress/Emperor, and no others' in strongly-tied Imperial territories)
11. and to protect those that cannot protect themselves

Read the Document

Final Address by Saint Dafyd

My brethren and sistren. My sons and daughters. My fellow children of Hom. I speak to you all.

There will come a time when I will pass, and I wish to ensure that you are all prepared for such a thing. Please know, I am but one man. One son of Hom. One of the many; one of you. We will all follow the same path to join Hom in the heavens and watch over our world and our families. I am no different. I am no special man. I will too sit a seat next to the rest of you in that land of white and gold.

And watching we will be looking for the same values I have taught you from when I was young; to treat one another as well as you would want to be treated yourself; to not steal for one's vices; to not kill under Hom's name in vain; to not betray the trust of your wife or husband; to raise your children with love not fear; to have what you need, and give what you can; to hold Hom's creations sacred; to work hard in the week and rest on the day on the Hom; to listen to your elders, but encourage your youngers; to hold Hom as our highest authority and no other; and to protect those that cannot protect themselves.

As long as you live by these directives, you will live a life worthy enough to ascend to a seat beside me. Live by these directives, and you will share the bounties on the earth. But if you fall from this path, you are not irredeemable; I too have made mistakes in my path.

And so I ask for forgiveness, and those of you now or believe you have made mistakes as well, if you recognise these and ask for forgiveness, I will forgive them. You can always make amends, remember this; you can always make amends.

When I pass, these directives will still be. These words will remain. Every question you may want ask of me can be answered by them. You will be safe.

My brethren of the robes, teach these directives. Teach these words. Lead the people from the altars and the monasteries of Hom. When I pass, they will have the greatest need from you. Please keep them safe, until such a time when we meet again.

I love you all my family. Praise these lands of Hom.

Close

Medium

Paper

Authoring Date

8th Solhaut, 306 RB

Authors

• Dafyd Malor