The Will of the Many Summary, Characters and Themes
The Will of the Many by James Islington marks the beginning of the Hierarchy trilogy, a high fantasy series set in a world reminiscent of the Roman Republic.
The story follows Vis Telimus, an orphaned prince of a conquered kingdom, as he navigates the treacherous political landscape of the Catenan Republic. Adopted by a powerful senator, Vis is thrust into a world of conspiracies and danger, where he must uncover the truth behind his benefactor’s brother’s death while surviving the brutal demands of a prestigious academy.
Summary
Vis Telimus, secretly Diago, the last prince of the fallen kingdom of Suus, endures a harsh existence in an orphanage within the conquering Catenan Republic.
By day, he oversees the Sappers—machines that drain Will from prisoners to sustain the Republic’s elite—and by night, he fights illegally, refusing to surrender his own Will despite relentless punishments.
His life changes when Senator Ulciscor Telimus adopts him under suspicious circumstances. Ulciscor reveals that he wants Vis to infiltrate the prestigious Catenan Academy to uncover the truth behind the death of his brother, Caeror.
In return, Vis receives protection and a place within Ulciscor’s powerful family, taking on the identity of the senator’s nephew to blend into Academy life.
At the Academy, Vis meets Lanistia, a fierce woman who lost her sight during the incident that killed Caeror, and befriends other students—Callidus, Eidhin, and Emissa—each of whom carries their own complicated ties to the Republic. Navigating the Academy’s dangerous politics, Vis is approached by the Anguis, a resistance group aware of his true identity, who attempt to blackmail him into joining their cause.
During a festival with Aequa, a fellow student and ally, the Anguis leader Estevan launches a devastating attack that kills thousands, leaving Vis horrified by the group’s violent methods despite his hatred for the Republic. Before dying, Estevan challenges Vis to choose a side in the brewing conflict, forcing him deeper into the web of rebellion and power.
Under pressure from Ulciscor, Vis investigates ancient ruins on Solivagus Island, uncovering evidence of forbidden experiments and ominous warnings about a place known as the Labyrinth. Ulciscor coerces Vis into entering the Labyrinth, threatening him with a fate in the Sappers if he refuses.
Vis survives, emerging marked with strange symbols that hint at deeper mysteries.
The Academy’s brutal annual contest, the Iudicium, arrives, and Vis teams up with Callidus and Aequa to compete. However, the Anguis infiltrate the event, triggering chaos. In the turmoil, Vis witnesses Belli’s murder, faces betrayal by Emissa, and suffers the loss of Callidus, who dies from grave injuries during the chaos.
Vis, gravely wounded and having lost an arm, awakens under the watch of Veridius Julii, the Academy’s enigmatic principal, who reveals there are far greater conspiracies in motion than Vis realized.
Determined to seek justice and revenge for Callidus, Vis requests a position in Governance to work alongside Callidus’s father, positioning himself within the heart of the Republic’s power structure.
In the novel’s haunting epilogue, two additional versions of Vis awaken in different realms, hinting at a larger, ominous threat that extends beyond his world, setting the stage for the unfolding saga.
Characters
Vis Telimus / Diago of Suus
Vis Telimus, whose true identity is Diago, the last prince of Suus, is the central character in “The Will of the Many.” As an orphan hiding from the powerful Catenan Republic, Vis navigates a complex world filled with political intrigue, violence, and the struggle for survival.
His journey from a prisoner monitor and underground fighter to a student at the Catenan Academy is marked by his struggle to maintain his true identity while being manipulated by powerful figures like Senator Ulciscor. Vis’s character is defined by his internal conflict between his desire for vengeance against the Catenans who destroyed his homeland and his horror at the ruthless tactics used by resistance groups like the Anguis.
His growth throughout the novel is evident in his increasing ability to make difficult moral decisions, balancing his hatred for the Republic with a deeper understanding of the complexities of power and governance. The physical and emotional scars he accumulates, including the loss of his arm, symbolize his sacrifices and the profound changes he undergoes as he confronts the realities of his world.
Senator Ulciscor Telimus
Ulciscor Telimus is a cunning and manipulative senator who adopts Vis for his own purposes. Ulciscor’s motivations are driven by a desire to uncover the truth behind his brother Caeror’s death, using Vis as a tool to achieve his ends.
He is a master of political maneuvering, seeing people as pieces on a chessboard to be moved and sacrificed as needed. Ulciscor’s relationship with Vis is complex, blending elements of mentorship with exploitation.
His demands that Vis uncover secrets within the Academy and run the deadly Labyrinth reveal his ruthless nature. However, Ulciscor is not entirely without depth; his obsession with his brother’s death and the possible consequences of ancient powers suggest that his actions, while cold and calculating, are driven by a profound fear of what is to come.
Lanistia
Lanistia is a mysterious and tragic figure within the novel, a woman who lost her eyes in the same incident that killed Caeror. As a trainer at the Academy, she forms a close, albeit secretive, bond with Vis, sharing his interest in uncovering the truth about Caeror’s death.
Lanistia’s blindness and the circumstances surrounding it are symbolic of the hidden dangers and secrets that permeate the world of the Catenan Republic. Her connection to Caeror and her involvement in the search for ancient weapons suggest a deeper involvement in the larger conspiracies at play.
Despite her physical blindness, Lanistia possesses a clear vision of the moral and ethical challenges facing Vis, guiding him through the complexities of the Academy’s political and social dynamics.
Aequa
Aequa is a fellow student at the Catenan Academy and one of Vis’s few close friends. She represents a connection to normalcy and the possibility of a life outside the constant power struggles that define the world of the novel.
However, Aequa’s involvement in the story is not without its complications. Her friendship with Vis becomes strained as the dangers they face grow, and her eventual role in the Iudicium contest highlights the precarious nature of trust in a world filled with betrayal and shifting alliances.
Aequa’s character serves as a reminder of the personal costs of the larger political and philosophical battles that the characters are engaged in.
Callidus
Callidus is another student at the Academy, known for his brilliance and his prestigious family background. He quickly becomes one of Vis’s closest allies, offering both intellectual and emotional support.
Callidus’s death is a pivotal moment in the novel, profoundly affecting Vis and intensifying his desire for vengeance. Callidus’s character embodies the potential for greatness that is often cut short by the violent and treacherous world in which they live.
His death serves as a catalyst for Vis’s final transformation, pushing him further down a path of moral ambiguity and personal sacrifice.
Emissa
Emissa, the daughter of a senator and a member of Class Three, is initially presented as an ally to Vis, but her character reveals layers of complexity and unpredictability. Her eventual betrayal of Vis, stabbing him after discovering his bite wound, underscores the theme of mistrust and the dangers of making assumptions about others.
Emissa’s actions are driven by fear and a belief in the greater good, reflecting the often conflicting motivations of characters within the novel. Her decision to attack Vis, believing him to be tainted, highlights the influence of fear and propaganda in shaping the actions of individuals within the Republic.
Veridius Julii
Veridius Julii, the charming and enigmatic Principalis of the Academy, plays a crucial role in the novel’s exploration of power and authority. He is accused by Ulciscor of being responsible for Caeror’s death, placing him at the center of the novel’s mysteries.
Veridius represents the institutional power of the Academy and the Republic, embodying the duality of mentorship and control. His interactions with Vis reveal his awareness of the larger stakes at play, particularly in his insistence that Vis does not fully understand the consequences of his actions.
Veridius’s character is a study in the balance of power, knowledge, and the burden of leadership, making him one of the novel’s most complex and intriguing figures.
Estevan
Estevan, the leader of the Anguis and a former citizen of Suus, serves as the embodiment of radical resistance against the Republic. His use of a mysterious weapon to commit mass murder at the festival positions him as a figure of both terror and tragic resolve.
Estevan’s interactions with Vis force the protagonist to confront the darker aspects of resistance and the cost of vengeance. Estevan’s suicide, framed to implicate Vis, adds another layer of complexity to the story, illustrating the extent to which individuals are willing to go in their fight against oppression, even if it means sacrificing themselves and others.
Relucia
Relucia, the wife of Ulciscor and a member of the Anguis, represents the intersection of personal loyalty and political rebellion. Her character adds depth to the portrayal of the Anguis, showing that the resistance is not monolithic but is made up of individuals with their own motivations and connections.
Relucia’s demand that Vis graduate top of his class and serve as the Anguis’s inside man highlights the pressure on him from multiple sides. Her role complicates Vis’s relationship with Ulciscor, as he navigates the conflicting demands of loyalty and survival.
Caeror Telimus
Although Caeror Telimus is deceased by the time the novel begins, his presence looms large over the story. His death is the catalyst for much of the action, driving Ulciscor’s quest for truth and Vis’s investigation into the ruins.
Caeror’s mysterious demise, and the secrets surrounding it, symbolize the dangerous and often fatal consequences of the power struggles within the Republic. The revelation in the epilogue, where Caeror appears to a third Vis in the chamber, suggests that his story, and the larger narrative of the novel, is far from over, setting the stage for future developments in the series.
Themes
Resistance and Complicity
One of the central themes in The Will of the Many is the tension between resistance and complicity, as seen through Vis’s internal struggle and the broader political landscape. Vis, born as Diago, the last prince of a conquered kingdom, is thrust into a world where survival often means compromising one’s values.
His initial acceptance of Senator Ulciscor’s protection in exchange for espionage reveals the complexities of navigating a world where direct resistance can be fatal. Vis’s interactions with the Anguis, particularly his horror at Estevan’s violent methods, further complicate his understanding of resistance.
The Anguis represent an extreme form of rebellion, willing to sacrifice thousands of lives to destabilize the Republic, which forces Vis to question whether their ends justify their means.
Meanwhile, Ulciscor’s manipulations expose the corruptibility of those who choose complicity for power, highlighting the moral ambiguities in a world where every action carries a cost.
The novel critiques the notion that resistance is always noble and complicity always cowardly, suggesting that the lines between the two are often blurred, with each choice bearing significant consequences.
The Corruptibility of Governance
Another prominent theme is the corruptibility of governance and the inherent flaws in political systems, particularly in the context of the Catenan Republic, which is inspired by the Roman Republic.
The novel portrays a society where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and those in power are often willing to compromise ethical standards for personal gain.
Ulciscor’s willingness to use Vis as a pawn in his political schemes underscores the ruthless nature of those who seek to control the mechanisms of governance. The alliance between Military leaders and the Anguis to incite fear and consolidate power further illustrates the extent of corruption within the Republic.
The divisions within the ruling powers—Religion, Military, and Governance—highlight the fragility of a system where competing interests can lead to widespread suffering.
Veridius Julii’s role as the Principalis also reflects the theme of governance corrupted by personal ambition, as he manipulates students and faculty alike in pursuit of his goals.
Through these characters and their actions, the novel presents a bleak view of governance, suggesting that those who seek power are often the most corruptible, and that true leadership requires moral integrity that is frequently absent in the corridors of power.
The Power of Friendship and Loyalty
Despite the dark political machinations and intense conspiracies, The Will of the Many also explores the redemptive power of friendship and loyalty. Vis’s relationships with Callidus, Eidhin, and Emissa offer moments of genuine connection and support in a world otherwise dominated by treachery and betrayal.
Callidus, in particular, stands out as a symbol of true friendship, as his brilliance and loyalty provide Vis with both practical assistance and emotional grounding. The bond between Vis and Callidus is tragically underscored by Callidus’s death, which serves as a catalyst for Vis’s vow of vengeance.
This loss highlights the cost of loyalty in a corrupt world but also reinforces the idea that such bonds can inspire acts of courage and determination.
Similarly, the tension in Vis’s relationship with Emissa, which culminates in her stabbing him, demonstrates the complexities of loyalty when conflicting interests are at play.
The theme is further emphasized in the novel’s conclusion, where Vis’s desire to honor Callidus’s memory drives his decision to enter Governance rather than Religion, as a way to continue fighting for a better world.
Through these friendships, the novel suggests that while loyalty can be a source of strength, it can also be a source of vulnerability, as the loss of loved ones can push characters toward revenge or deeper involvement in the corrupt systems they seek to escape.
The Burden of Identity and Secrecy
Throughout The Will of the Many, Vis’s hidden identity as Diago, the last prince of Suus, underpins the constant tension between survival and authenticity. Living under a false identity forces Vis to navigate every conversation and relationship with caution, understanding that a single slip could mean death or worse within the ruthless Catenan Republic.
His dual identity is not merely a plot device but a thematic exploration of the emotional and psychological toll secrecy demands from individuals. Vis struggles with isolation, unable to fully trust even his closest friends at the Academy, which underscores how secrecy erodes genuine connections. Additionally, the tension between Vis’s Suusan heritage and the persona of a compliant Catenan youth he is forced to portray reflects the broader struggle of conquered peoples under imperial rule, illustrating the cost of assimilation when survival is the price of silence.
This theme is further deepened through Vis’s internal conflict: he longs to avenge his homeland but realizes that exposing his identity could sabotage his ability to enact meaningful change from within. The moments where Vis questions whether he is becoming what he once hated highlight how secrecy, while a shield, can also shape one’s identity in unexpected ways.
Knowledge as Power and Poison
The novel frequently illustrates that knowledge is both a weapon and a curse within the Catenan Republic and its resistance movements. Ulciscor’s quest for the truth about Caeror’s death, the secrets hidden within the ancient ruins on Solivagus, and the cryptic warnings surrounding the Labyrinth all emphasize that gaining knowledge often exacts a heavy price.
For Vis, knowledge equates to survival, as each secret uncovered is a tool against his enemies. Yet, the more Vis learns—about the Labyrinth, the Anguis, and the Republic’s corruption—the more burdened he becomes, drawing him into conflicts beyond his initial desires for revenge or freedom.
Characters like Veridius Julii and Ulciscor embody how knowledge can become a form of control, using what they know to manipulate others for political gain. The Labyrinth itself symbolizes forbidden knowledge, offering power at the cost of physical and moral sacrifice.
This theme is closely tied to the book’s political intrigue, emphasizing that in the Republic, to know is to wield power, but the cost of knowing can be the corruption of one’s soul or the destruction of others.
Fate Versus Free Will
The concept of Will in the novel transcends its literal interpretation as a magical power source, evolving into a philosophical exploration of fate versus free will. Vis’s journey is driven by the constant push and pull between forces that seek to control him—Ulciscor, the Anguis, the Republic—and his own desire to chart his path.
The societal structure of the Catenan Republic, with its rigid hierarchies and extraction of Will from prisoners, embodies a system designed to strip individuals of autonomy, turning them into resources for the state. Vis’s refusal to relinquish his Will in the orphanage becomes a defiant assertion of agency against a system designed to suppress it.
Yet, the narrative complicates the notion of free will as Vis often finds himself forced into actions by circumstance, manipulation, or threats, blurring the lines between choice and coercion. The epilogue’s revelation of alternate versions of Vis awakening in different realms raises questions about determinism, suggesting that even across realities, certain struggles and destinies may be inescapable.
Through the lens of Will, the novel asks whether true freedom is possible in a world of systemic oppression and ancient conspiracies, or whether individuals are bound by fate despite their attempts to resist.