Daival Shan

Daival Shan was a Terran separatist warlord during the Unification Wars who opposed the Emperor of Mankind. In particular Shan opposed the eradication of religion under the Emperor's rule. He was ultimately captured and executed by Imperial forces.^[1]

At his execution he addressed the Emperor as follows:

"Kill me then, 'Emperor'. Better to die in freedom's twilight than draw breath at the dawn of tyranny. May the gods grant me my last wish: that my spririt lingers long enough to laugh when your faithless kingdom at last falls apart."^[1]

It is unclear whether the Emperor actually attended Shan's execution to hear Shan's last words.^[1]

References

• 1: The First Heretic (Novel), introductory quotations.