So, I noticed that the pawns are immune to the godsway's influence after the guardian gigantus quest. (Before this, they can't move and hold their heads in pain when near a godsway.)
I'm taking that as a sign that bestowal of spirit has happened at this point, and their fledgling will is already blossoming.
That also explains why they can fight the false sovereign, despite him having a godsway on him.
(I assume the hired pawns are just immune for gameplay reasons, but I'm choosing to believe it as canon for the main pawn)











