Volition
The Lexicon
Volition is separated into two Types, which denote permanence, and six Disciplines, which denote the method of execution and category of effect. Each Volitional action has a Type and a Discipline.Acts
The first Type refers to a Volitional action which has a permanent effect-sometimes an irrevocable one. Acts affect statuses, positions, and boundaries.Feats
The second Type are Volitional actions which must be maintained and/or sustained and whose effects are most often impermanent, with a few exceptions.Willpower and Discipline
The performance of Volition requires not only comprehension, but focus. The mind and will must be exercised in tandem to compensate for the increasing complexity of Volitional actions. If one of the two faculties is lacking, the stronger will not requite the weaker. Application of any form of Volition requires some degree of both resolve and decisiveness, and although the simplest Volitional actions can be performed unintentionally, it's uncommon and doesn't happen lightly. While certain temperamental traits which are either beneficial or disadvantageous to performing Volition can be inherited from and individual's parents, that individual's ability to do so is never nonexistent. With sufficient training, anyone can become a successful Volitionist.Grades
A Volitionist's 'Grade' is determined by their ability to perform at checkpoint levels as defined by Headmaster Jivika's Codex. There are several Grades, each with a representative symbol which is used by both Willwright and the Institute of Justice.Notable accomplishments
- Joining the Chronosphere
- Binding
Disciplines
The six Disciplines are as follows: Construction, Deconstruction, Healing, Suspension, Perception, and Communication.Construction
The Discipline of Construction deals with the production and manipulation of physical matter, specifically in the way of changing its form or composition, or otherwise joining targets together.Deconstruction
Deconstruction is effectively the opposite of Construction. It isn’t ‘Destruction’, as its Volitions don’t destroy anything. They simply dismantle a target into its individual parts. The people in the world of Advarsel don’t have technology or knowledge of microscopic units, so they know nothing of cells, atoms or atomic particles, or molecules. This lack of knowledge limits the depth of the Volition; the user can only dismantle a target as far as they understand it. Volitionists who major in Deconstruction often choose it for the perceived excitement, and are unaware of the amount of work, knowledge, and mental discipline that it requires.Note
Due to the nature of these two Disciplines, they both require extensive training and study, and rigorous exercise in mental discipline. Construction and Deconstruction can only be performed to the extent of the user’s understanding, so followers of this Discipline are well-versed in physical science.Healing
The Discipline of Healing runs along the same general guidelines of Construction and Deconstruction, in that it requires understanding of nature and science; it also requires a thorough understanding of the target’s(usually a human) body. Volitional Healers study botany, as well as anatomy and medicine. Healing itself could be a subcategory of Construction, because the actions are almost identical in procedure, but because they’re done specifically for the purpose of assisting the recovery of a patient, it is a distinct category. Volitional Healing is done much like Construction is: the target’s body is procedurally regenerated by the user. The medicinal and botanical aspects of Healing go hand in hand. Volitional Healers study the Voligenetic(this term refers to the intrinsic qualities of plants that are affected by Volition to produce additional or otherwise unnatural effects) properties of plants and other organic matter and their uses in medicine. Rather than making ‘potions’ like some magic systems, Volitionists produce medicinal solvents and poultices. A Volitionally ‘Activated’ herb does not cause immediate, magical healing; rather, it causes the body to heal more rapidly or with less pain and/or permanent scarring.Note
The (non-Volitionist)people of Advarsel, and particularly the Institute of Justice, fear all Volitionists, but especially Healers. They consider all Volition ‘dangerous knowledge’, and Healing and medicine the most so. Most common people are afraid to go to a Volitional Healer for help. With the knowledge to regenerate a body comes the knowledge to destroy one. No other Discipline provides that ability, as no other Discipline studies the human body in necessary detail. Willwright Healers learn this sensitive information only after giving their word that they will not use it for harm, but that doesn’t stop the Institute from spreading anti-Volitionist rhetoric. The fear of Volitional Healers by the people is a source of sorrow for Healing majoring Volitionists, given the people who choose this Discipline as their major are usually compassionate individuals who desire to help people. These students often have a strong dislike for this Institution which limits and hinders their interests.Suspension
The actions of Suspension are easy to grasp in concept, but difficult to execute. Suspension deals with the manipulation of energies and barriers. These ‘energies’ are ‘suspended’, or held in suspension, by the Volitionist’s will.Perception
Perception addresses the Volitionist’s mindset and way of observing their surroundings. It teaches them to recognize patterns and notice details that they might otherwise overlook. Riddles and puzzles are often used by instructors to introduce students to the way of thinking which is necessary for Perceptive Volitions. One common model of Perception riddles is employed in recognizing the word ‘emergency’ when presented with the following, in which the numbers represent consonant letters: E1e23e456. The students have to recognize the pattern to identify the word. The students majoring in Perception are usually curious types with a love for knowledge and a natural affinity for observation, who desire to identify hidden meanings and intents.Communication
The Discipline of Communication uses an unconventional definition of the word, meaning less the exchange of language from person to person and more the exchange of information from one target to another. This can mean communicating a message of language from one person to another. It can also mean communicating or ‘translating’ the information of a physical object from one location to another.The Fundamentals of The Willforge
Volition is the name given to the interaction of a person with the Willforge, which in turn is built on the basis of a Volitionist imposing their will on their target. Theoretically, anyone can access the Willforge if they know the way. Volitionists must ‘hone’ their will and their mental discipline to use the Willforge. The differentiators between an experienced Volitionist and an inexperienced one are their skill of focus and strength of their will, though some individuals have a naturally stronger will than others. Rather than expending ‘mana’, performing Volition expends mental energy. The level of mental discipline that a user has increases or decreases the efficiency of their use of mental energy. If a user understands the purpose of a Volition but does not possess the necessary mental discipline they will be unable to perform it.
Notable Practicioners
Willwright Founders:
Prominent Authors
- Alistair - The Bestiary
- Antonia - The Herbarium
- Erris Solange - The Discoveries of Erris Solange
- Jivika - Volition: The Codex
Promising Students
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