I'm really not sure about any of that. It's just what I remember from the ruin runs with Mom and Dad. I guess your theory about it being a ruler might be correct - it'd explain why the Eight Gods went nuts without the Will around. Also the story did say that the Will was kept in a slumber, implying that there was some kind of force opposing it.

Gender? I'm actually not sure. If that darned statue was still around in the cathedral, it wouldn't be a mystery.