Editing Vo

'''Vo''', also known as the '''First Returned''', is the first person known to have [[Returned]] on [[Nalthis]].{{book ref|wb|32}}

== Attributes and Abilities ==

{{for|Returned}}

Vo presumably had all of the abilities of the [[Heightening#Fifth_Heightening|Fifth Heightening]] granted by a [[divine Breath]], including perfect pitch, life sense, and agelessness. Unusually for a Returned, Vo was able to bear children through an unknown method that required specific knowledge.{{book ref|wb|55}}{{wob ref|7344}}

Vo is also said to have spoken the [[five Visions]] that are the founding tenets of [[Austrism]].{{book ref|wb|29}} Very little is known about Austre other than the fact that he is not Endowment,{{wob ref|6590}} and it is therefore unclear if he somehow influenced Vo's visions.

== History ==

Vo was a member of the [[Chedesh]] people that dominated ancient Nalthis. Around three hundred years prior to the [[Manywar]], the Chedesh sent expeditions west across the [[Inner Sea]] in search of new lands. Vo was a member of an expedition that discovered a paradise-like valley with numerous unusual properties, including the only known habitat of [[Tears of Edgli]].{{book ref|wb|32}} Unbeknown to the Chedesh, the jungles of this valley held [[Endowment]]'s [[perpendicularity]].{{wob ref|9833}} Vo died under unknown circumstances around the same time the valley was discovered, and was soon reborn in the bay adjacent to modern-day [[T'Telir]].{{book ref|wb|32}} Endowment chose to give him a divine Breath hoping that he would fulfill some sort of unknown purpose.{{wob ref|143}}{{wob ref|9589}}

Vo was presumably an adult when he died; although he only lived for a week after Returning, he spoke the five Visions and impregnated his wife in that time.{{book ref|wb|32}}{{ref|group=fn|text=It is unclear if Vo was already married before his death, or if he married in the short time he lived as a Returned.}} The circumstances of his death are unknown, but he likely lived seven days before his body consumed its divine Breath on the eighth day.{{book ref|wb|3}}{{wob ref|6776}}

== Legacy ==

After Vo's second death, his shipmates founded the kingdom of [[Hanald]] in the valley (despite the fact that the [[Pahn Kahl]] were already inhabiting the area). The new nation chose Vo's wife to be their queen. She would go on to establish a royal line, bearing the blood of Vo, which would continue to be in power until the Manywar. The war resulted in Vo's royal line leaving T'Telir to establish the nation of [[Idris]] in the highlands, while Hanald was renamed [[Hallandren]] and the priests there began downplaying the importance of Vo's bloodline.{{book ref|warbreaker|32}}{{wob ref|7400}} His descendants that have a potential claim to the throne have the [[Royal Locks]], although this is linked to lineage rather than genetics.{{wob ref|6805}}{{book ref|wb|22}} According to Vasher, the Royal Locks do indicate a relationship to a Returned, although he does not specify them as originating from Vo.{{book ref|wb|51}}

Returned are normally unable to bear children despite many attempts to do so over the centuries,{{wob ref|4637}} and the method by which Vo was able to circumvent this limitation is unknown. The story of Vo fathering a child has become part of local legend, and Siri assumes that it was fabricated in order to legitimize the royal line of Hallandren.{{book ref|wb|55}} However, any Returned can technically bear children if certain steps are taken;{{wob ref|7400}} it is unclear if Vo figured this out on his own or if he was somehow provided with this knowledge. The modern Hallandren priesthood of the [[God King]] is aware of a method to allow Returned to have children, but it does not always work. They are not sure if it the same method used by Vo.{{wob ref|7344}}{{wob ref|7400}}

At least some priests who know of Hallandren's history remain aware that the Idrian royals are Vo's descendants, but they keep this belief secret.{{wob ref|7400}} Vo's lineage creates something of an inconsistency within the Hallandren religion of the [[Iridescent Tones]] since all Returned are revered, yet Vo's entire bloodline was exiled. Vo is typically referred to by his title as "first Returned" within Hallandren, but his name is used in Idris.{{book ref|wb|32}}

The five Visions of Vo remain core tenets of Austrism hundreds of years after his death. Austrism retains many positive qualities, but some of its followers have taken the concept of humility too far, ironically taking pride in being humble.{{book ref|wb|46}} This has led to bias and xenophobia.{{wob ref|6951}}

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{{complete|[[User:Big Smooth|Big Smooth]] ([[User talk:Big Smooth|talk]]) 21:34, 12 May 2023 (UTC)}}