Way of the Will

The Way of the Will is an ancient religion first founded in the Republic of Volonté. It was first worshipped within the capital of Volonté, Warmbank. Since the dissolving of the Republic of Volonté, it has regained a following within Pioresná, with it being declared as a holy city. It is the unofficial state religion of the North Republic of Volonté.

History
The Way of the Will was a minor religion that was officiated near the end of the Republic of Volonté's existence, but has since grown in that time. The ancient Volonteans initially believed in the Will, but did not do anything to properly honor it's existence. In doing so, the Will didn't properly present itself to the Old Volonteans as it was more of just a part of everyday life. Further they mistook the power of the Will for the flames within a furnace and Serfera's deeds as a different force entirely for a short time. Though following the collapse of Volonté, the religion began to fade from active worship except for a very few who kept the initial traditions alive.

The Eight Signs
Shortly before writing Comprehensions I, during the construction of what was originally supposed to be a furnace facility had quickly turned into a temple. While gathering materials, Basco Prola had fallen into a hole which was surrounded by signs that stated "WILL". Upon leaving the hole, he had been set upon eight Phantoms. Though while still within the circle of signs that stated "WILL", the Phantoms did not touch him. They merely swirled around him. Going back to build the facility, Basco was still not touched by the Phantoms. There, he placed eight stacks into eight furnaces, and upon the last furnace's fire being alit, the Phantoms all at once descended. Though instead of striking, the Phantoms merely disappeared, leaving nothing in their wake beyond the knowledge of the Will's presence. After the encounter with what will be known as the Eight Signs of the Will, Comprehensions I was written. Taking the disappearance of the Phantoms after the furnaces were being used, Basco determined that was a way to become closer to the Will. He then took it upon himself to constantly refine materials in an effort to get more messages from the Will.

Pilgrimage and Relocation
While worshiping, Basco Prola had found the last surface vein of iron around Warmbank. Finding this to be a holy sign, Basco wrote Comprehensions II and then took it upon himself to go on a Pilgrimage in order to become closer to the Will. While he was travelling across Eldham, Warmbank was deconstructed and destroyed completely, the only sign of it remaining was a plot of land used for farming and the Eight Signs of the Will. From there, Basco travelled to the last town of Volonté, Pioresná where he had reunited with the remaining Volonteans. In the process of the Pilgrimage, it was declared that there are other ways of refinement, that being brewing, composting, or even deconstruction of items such as gravel into flint were all valid ways of worship.

The Temples of Refinement and the Proof
After laboring for many days, the first ever true temple of the Will was constructed within Pioresná, and in doing so caused a minor surge of new followers of the Way within the town, increasing not only the amount of people following the Will but the amount of people residing within the town. Within the wake of this minor surge, discussion for creating other Temples of Refinement within other towns has begun within the nations that allow the Way in. Within it's opening, the followers began distilling their souls into bottles, as in it's construction did they begin to overflow with energy. Wanting to find a method to thank and show devotion to the Will, the followers are gathering the "Distilled Refinement" in order to hold a festival and ceremony simply named as the Proof.

Segra War
The Wayists joined the Coalition of Religions to fight against Segra. After their announcement, the Goddess Segra herself had assaulted the Temple of Refinement, filling it with False Signs and False Pinnacles, where the Wayists fought them off. Afterwards, in her anger Segra proceeded to unmake the Temple of Refinement, destroying it nearly completely. In desperation, the Wayists proceeded to do a Proof of Rending. In response, the Temple of Refinement was remade, though with the Wayists drained from the fighting and the sudden need for a Proof. The Wayists joined in the final battle against Segra, returning home with many trophies of war which were offered in another Proof.

Modern Day
After the successful North Volontean revolution, where Wayists were persecuted due to the perceived threat of the Way in the revolt, the Way of the Will had become the unofficial religion of the Republic of North Volonté. With the freedom to worship, Pinnacles have begun making themselves known in Freris and Kirvograd. Shrines have been set up in the neighboring nations of Jorthar and Samora.

The Will
The Will is an incomprehensible entity which encompasses all and exists in everything to some extent. The amount of sentience is unknown, but what is known is that there are agents, be it the Signs or the Pinnacles which act as messengers to guide those who walk the Way. It creates the paths which every living being walks down through all their lives. It will select a few shining examples of these souls and allow them to leave the paths as a Pinnacle or a Sign.

Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are spirits who act as messengers and hands of the Will itself, due to it's inability to speak or act on it's own behalf. There is an unknown amount of Pinnacles in the world, though they are considered to be either godlike or guardian spirits over a given town, region, or people. Pinnacles may also adopt attributes or aspects which anchor them further to the mortal realm, as well as assist in their manifestations to deliver messages. Within mainstream canon of the Way, there are two major Pinnacles of note due to their presence within Pioresná. There has been discussion with surrounding towns in efforts to bring their Pinnacles forth in recent months, though it has yet to truly bare any fruit.

Serfera, Pinnacle of Warmbank
Serfera is the dead Pinnacle of the now demolished Warmbank. She once held the attribute of Determination and the aspect of smoke. It is unknown if they are capable of truly manifesting anymore due to the complete destruction of Warmbank and the removal of the Iron Will, the last remaining artifact of Volonté. This is theorized due to the appearance of a sign that says "WILL NOT" where the will hole once resides, and the lack of manifestations in recent history.

Neolo, Pinnacle of Pioresná
Neolo is the active Pinnacle of Pioresná, which possess the attributes of hospitality and resilience, and holds the aspect of alcohol. They tend to manifest to those who are Refining within the Temple of Refinement in Pioresná, or those who are currently intoxicated within Pioresná. It is now largely attributed that most if not all message delivered by the Will was done through him, unless it was done by the Signs.

Apagia, Pilgrim's Pinnacle
Unlike the other Pinnacles, bound by a single location, they are the Pinnacle which are bound to roads in which pilgrims may travel. They possess the attribute of wonder and hold the aspect of roads. They are a silent guide and protector to the pilgrims, unseen yet allow those who travel to know where they need to go. Further they ensure the roads are free of banditry and monsters, though can not maintain the roads themselves. There are no known major manifestations of Apagia recorded.

Refinement and Rending
Due to the nature of people's souls, it is near impossible for the Will to make itself known properly. Only in special cases is it capable of making itself known, and that was only done through great labor. There were two major branches of labor that have been discovered, that of Refinement and that of Rending. Both of these serve as avenues to cultivate the soul, and thus bringing one closer to the Will. It is also considered to be impossible to separate Refinement from Rending and vice versa, as the acts are required to exist within one another in order to truly operate. Refinement is the process of making a lesser material such as ore or wood and processing them into the pinnacle state, such as ingots, weaponry, coal, or food. Rending is the process of breaking a greater material or object and breaking them down to their base essence, such as breaking enchantments, weapons, armor, or killing of other people.