Trials of Unbending Will

The Trials of the Unbending Will are a testament to the belief that pain purifies, discipline elevates, and unwavering devotion is the path to achieving greatness in the eyes of the gods. These trials are more than just physical tests; they are psychological and spiritual battles, public displays of fortitude designed to inspire awe, fear, and a chilling admiration for those who can endure.  

History

In the Emperor Eternal's ascension to godhood it's said that he faced countless trials of endurance - scorching deserts, treacherous mountain climbs, icy waters that threatened to consume him. These trials not only forged his physical strength but tempered his will, burning away doubt and weakness, ultimately paving the path towards his divine transformation.   Imperial citizens, seeking to emulate his unwavering spirit and prove their devotion, adopted these tests as rituals. The act of pushing oneself to the brink, enduring physical pain and mental anguish, became a symbol of piety and a way to potentially earn the favor of a god who prized strength above all else.  

The Trials

Individuals might undergo trials for a variety of reasons - seeking vindication for a perceived injustice, proving their worthiness for a position, demonstrating unwavering faith, or simply as a way to express their reverence for the Emperor Eternal. These trials are usually overseen by priests and observed by witnesses, their successful completion resulting in a renewed sense of purpose, public acknowledgement, or perhaps even a tangible blessing bestowed by the god himself.   The Trials are also utilized as a form of punishment within the Imperial legal system. Judges can sentence criminals and dissidents to endure a specific trial, its severity based upon the nature of their transgression. Completing the Trial, without complaint or hesitation, demonstrates remorse and dedication to the Empire's ideals, offering a path towards redemption.  

Sun's Embrace

One of the most common, and perhaps brutal, forms of trials, this involves standing, bound to a stake, under the blistering heat of the desert sun without food or water. Hours stretch into days as the skin blisters, lips crack, and visions dance before blurry eyes. Only those who possess a ironclad will can survive, their successful completion proving their unwavering faith. This is the most common punishment in the Imperial Navy, and many military vessels have special areas for exposing bound prisoners to the various elements of the sky-sea. This trial is meant to mimic the first of the Eternal Emperor's many legendary tasks, where he crossed the breadth of his Empire in the disguise of a poor beggar. He rejected all offerings, subsisting entirely on his pure willpower.  

Water's Bite

Another popular trial, this involves standing beneath a frigid mountain waterfall for a prescribed length of time. The relentless torrent pummels the body, icy needles stinging the skin and the chill seeping deep into the bones. Those who can endure this baptism of frigid pain demonstrate their resistance to weakness. One of the most popular legends of the Emperor Eternal involves this trial, as it is said he spent a week standing beneath the great waterfall of Skyfire island, his body battered and cut by the great chunks of ice flowing from the mountain peak.  

The Last Hunt

Reserved for those seeking a greater glory or the most grievous offenses, this trial involves battling a powerful and aggressive creature known as a Cragboar – a massive, tusked beast prized for its ferocious temper. Unarmed and protected only by thin leather armor, the participant must subdue the beast through sheer willpower and strength. Victory, if achieved, is a demonstration of unyielding spirit worthy of the Emperor Eternal himself. It is said that the last meal the Eternal Emperor had before his ascension to divinity was one of these boars, which he hunted down and slew with his bare hands and ate raw.   There are countless other minor trials, varying in complexity and danger depending upon the reason they are called upon.  

"The Trials of the Unbending Will... honey, talk about your public displays of masochism! Standing under a freezing waterfall for days, baking in the desert sun until you're crispier than a sunbread loaf - we Imperials take our devotion to a whole new level. I get it, strength through suffering, yadda yadda… It’s all part of that whole “Emperor Eternal as self-made god” narrative. But watching grown men and women practically beg for a second-degree sunburn in the name of piety? Frankly, it's all a bit theatrical. A spectacle designed to inspire awe and subtly reinforce those oh-so-important Imperial values: obedience, endurance, a disturbing fascination with proving your worth through pain. Call me a skeptic, but I prefer a stiff drink and a sharp wit over self-inflicted torture any day. Besides, real strength? That’s about facing down your demons, not turning yourself into a human barbeque to please a god with an ego bigger than Yrdde itself." - E Dawnstrider