Editing Returned

{{lifeform
|image=Lightsong.jpg
|type={{tag+|Cognitive Shadow}}
|sapient=Yes
|world=Nalthis
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Warbreaker]], [[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|yumi}}
The '''Returned''' are resurrected humans on [[Nalthis]]. [[Vasher]] referred to them as Type One [[BioChroma|BioChromatic]] Entities--Spontaneous Sentient BioChromatic Manifestations in a Deceased Host.{{book ref|wb|46}} But upon further study, he now classifies them as a Type Two Invested entity.{{book ref|sa4|15}} They are a kind of [[Cognitive Shadow]].{{wob ref|4995}}

The Returned, who retain no memory of their previous existence, are worshipped as gods in [[Hallandren]]. The exact process of a Returned's resurrection is unclear; however, [[Lightsong]] had a Voice speak to him.{{book ref|wb|57}}. This voice is confirmed to be the [[Shard]] [[Endowment]].{{wob ref|5943}} The Voice gives people a glimpse into the [[Spiritual Realm]], which let them see a possible future, she then offers a chance to Return and change the events of the vision. Any Returned can have children, but it requires special knowledge.{{wob ref|7344}}

== Becoming a Returned ==
A person can become a Returned when dying on [[Nalthis]]. The exact process of a Returned's resurrection is unclear, but they are chosen deliberately by the [[Shard]] [[Endowment]], where she gives people a glimpse into the [[Spiritual Realm]] (which lets them see a possible future in the [[Physical Realm]]{{wob ref|9589}}) and offers them a chance to Return and change the events of the vision.{{wob ref|5943}}{{wob ref|143}} Endowment can be somewhat erratic when choosing.{{wob ref|3443}} A person can be any age when they Return and there have been children, babies, grandparents, and people in their middle years who have Returned.{{wob ref|6966}} A person who Returns keeps their soul.{{wob ref|275}} If a person has Returned before reaching adulthood, their minds will grow very quickly and their bodies will grow normally then stop once reaching the point of adulthood.{{book ref|wb|30}}

How long it takes for a person to Return after they have died can vary, but can take hours or longer. Once the process starts, the person will start glowing, their body will heal, and they will wake up.{{wob ref|3763}} This generally leaves the Returned confused and disoriented, and they will retain no memory of their previous existence.{{wob ref|5062}} Returned will retain general knowledge and skills of their previous life,{{book ref|wb|30}} although, if they were a Knight Radiant prior to death they will lose their [[Nahel bond]].{{wob ref|15061}}

Becoming Returned without being born on Nalthis is very hard,{{wob ref|2768}} but is possible, even without having collected any Breath.{{wob ref|12604}} [[Lifeless]] can Return if they were made into a Lifeless right after they died.{{wob ref|1138}} There are ways to use other [[Investiture|magic systems]] to create a Returned.{{wob ref|3386}}

A [[larkin]] nearby can prevent a person from Returning.{{wob ref|6364}}

== Breath ==
Each Returned is gifted with a single, powerful [[Breath]] which allows them to reach the [[Heightening#Fifth Heightening|Fifth Heightening]]. To those of the First Heightening, this Breath appears infinite and immeasurable.{{book ref|wb|14}} This '''divine Breath''' is a [[Splinter]] of [[Endowment]].{{wob ref|4486}} A Returned may give this Breath in an act of self-sacrifice to heal one person.{{book ref|wb|12}}  Giving away their divine breath will lead to the death of the Returned.{{book ref|wb|27}} Their divine Breath can be suppressed by Investing it into a place within themselves, but this will remove the abilities granted by the Heightenings.{{wob ref|4501}} The divine Breath, if given to another, will not stick with the person or make them Return.{{wob ref|3508}}

Each Returned consumes one Breath per week as a consequence of being reborn. The bodies of the Returned feed on any Breaths they have available, and many Returned live for one week only because their bodies consume their divine Breath on the eighth day, killing them a second time.{{wob ref|6776}} On the seventh day, they start to grow weak and sluggish and will return to full strength after consuming a Breath on the eighth day.{{wob ref|6776}} This is due to their nature as a [[Cognitive Shadow]] and not a function of the divine Breath itself.{{wob ref|14149}} If they suppress their divine Breath they still need to consume a Breath a week.{{wob ref|5840}} Returned can survive without extra Breaths until the day they need to consume one.{{wob ref|4486}} Returned can receive more Breaths on top of their single divine Breath, stockpiling them to consume so that they don't need to receive one each week.{{wob ref|6724}} Returned can also consume other types of Investiture, such as [[Stormlight]], to feed their divine Breath. They must consume the same amount of Investiture per Nalthian week when doing so,{{wob ref|3890}} though it is unclear if they must do so all at once or if it can be spread out over time.

If a Returned has extra Breaths, they can use them to [[Awakening|Awaken]] like any other person would.{{wob ref|6724}} When Awakening, Returned will use regular Breath before using their divine Breath, and will only give away their divine Breath if they push for it.{{wob ref|3508}} They can use their divine Breath to Awaken objects.{{wob ref|1259}}

Divine Breaths interfere with other forms of Investiture such as [[nahel bond|spren bonds]], making it harder for the bond to form.{{wob ref|69}}

== Abilities and Appearance ==
All Returned have increased strength and speed, and are able to move inhumanly fast.{{wob ref|6808}} Their bodies will not grow stronger from exercise or weaken from a lack of it.{{book ref|wb|44}} They are also immune to most physical sicknesses and ailments,{{book ref|wb|18}} including headaches,{{book ref|wb|7}} and all toxins, including the effects of alcohol,{{book ref|wb|5}}{{book ref|wb|7}} and are possibly also immune or resistant to insanity.{{book ref|wb|12}} They do not need to eat or drink to survive, but do need to sleep so their short-term memories get moved to long-term storage.{{wob ref|3041}} A Returned has the inherent ability to see into art and perceive the artist's soul and interpret correctly an abstract piece, based on what the artist is trying to convey, in a way that a normal person cannot.{{wob ref|4483}} Their raw levels of Investiture are very high, being almost as high as an [[Elantrian]].{{book ref|yumi|32}}

Their divine Breath allows them to reach the Fifth Heightening. Children and animals can sense a Returned's divine Breath, which has an effect on their [[spiritweb]] and in the [[Cognitive Realm]], making them feel comfortable and react positively to the Returned.{{wob ref|3950}}{{wob ref|7365}} A Returned may give this Breath in an act of self-sacrifice to heal one person. The healing ability can cure diseases, heal almost any wound, and regrow lost body parts. The sacrifice does not grant the Fifth Heightening to the receiver.{{book ref|wb|12}} The divine Breath can be used for things other than healing, though no one in-world has figured out how to do it yet.{{wob ref|12013}}

The new appearance of those that Return are in accordance with what they subconsciously think physical perfection is or how they see themselves.{{wob ref|5840}} However, this is based on how they view societal standards on beauty and perfection rather than purely on their own standards.{{wob ref|11649}} The old gods look old and the heroic gods look strong, for example.{{book ref|wb|epilogue}} A Returned can, with the correct training, learn to change their appearance, such as changing their height, weight or hair color, but only to a reasonable extent.{{wob ref|6808}} A Returned's appearance can react to their emotions similar to the [[Royal Locks]], and they sometimes start reverting to their default appearance while extremely emotional or not paying attention.{{wob ref|7365}} However, common traits include being larger than normal humans, around seven feet in height, and giving off the color-altering aura of the Fifth Heightening.

A Returned is able to suppress their divine Breath, altering their appearance to look like a normal human, losing the Fifth Heightening in the process.{{book ref|wb|epilogue}} However, a normal-looking Returned still has traits commonly associated with Returned, such as increased strength and speed.{{wob ref|6808}} They can also be affected by toxins like alcohol, although still not as much as a normal human.{{wob ref|15707}} When a Returned reaches the moment that prompted them to Return, they often remember why they chose to Return and much of their previous life.{{wob ref|7354}}{{book ref|wb|57}}

== Cultural impact ==
=== Hallandren ===
In [[Hallandren]] the Returned are worshiped as gods sent by the [[Iridescent Tones]] to guide their followers. As such the Returned are fed one Breath each week in order to maintain their lives. The Returned are petitioned by the people of the city to give up their Breath as a cure for illnesses.{{book ref|wb|12}} The more caring of the Returned would help the people via other methods if they reject petitions. They are also expected to perform auguries by reviewing works of art sent by citizens, and their priests record their dreams, words, and acts at all times to search for prophetic glimpses.{{book ref|wb|3}} It is also a belief that every Returned exists for a specific reason.{{wob ref|16062}}

===Idris===
Due to their [[Austre|religious beliefs]], [[Idrian|Idrians]] consider it an abomination to give up their Breath. Lacking a supply of Breath, Idrian Returned usually live for one week and die on the eighth day when they consume their divine Breath. Whether this fact affects the vision they see when Returning is unknown. It is not unheard of for Idrian Returned to travel to Hallandren to avoid dying and be worshipped instead.{{wob ref|3702}}

===Pahn Kahl===
[[Pahn Kahl]] believe that Returned are people who deny the power of the gods and are forbidden entrance into heaven. They are otherwise seen as just normal people and not sinners worthy of hell, so they’re given a chance to come back to have another try at life and to try to find belief this time.{{wob ref|6964}}

=== Other cultures ===
A person in any area on Nalthis can Return. They are treated in very strange ways some places. One kingdom will immediately sell the corpse of someone who dies in a way that might be seen as heroic, where they are purchased by a nobleman hoping to hit the jackpot and get a Returned. They are kept since they can heal people and are used as an emergency insurance plan to restore the health of their owner.{{wob ref|6700}} In some places Returned are seen as something akin to vampires.{{wob ref|6776}}

== Notable Returned ==
{{for|:Category:Returned|a complete list of Returned|Category:Returned}}
{{columns|
* [[Arsteel]]
* [[Blushweaver]]
* [[Lightsong]]
* [[Shashara]]
* [[Susebron]]
* [[VaraTreledees]]
* [[Vasher]]
* [[Vo]]
* [[Yesteel]]
}}

== Trivia ==
* A Returned looks different in the [[Cognitive Realm]] compared to a regular human.{{wob ref|11897}}
* A Returned could reclaim Breath they put in objects before dying and Returning.{{wob ref|3594}}

== Notes ==
<references />
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{{Warbreaker}}
[[category: magic]]
[[category: Awakening]]
[[category: Returned| ]]