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{{magical entities
|magic={{tag+|Cognitive Shadow}}
|world=Nalthis
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Warbreaker]], [[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
The '''Returned''' are resurrected humans on [[Nalthis]]. [[Vasher]] refers to them as Type One [[BioChroma|Biochromatic]] Entities--Spontaneous Sentient BioChromatic Manifestations in a Deceased Host.{{book ref|wb|46}} 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
== 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, grandmothers, and people in their middle years who have Returned.{{annotation ref|book=wb|chapter=30}} A person who Returns keeps their soul.{{wob ref|275}} If a person has Returned before reaching adulthood, their minds and bodies will grow very quickly and 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}}
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}}
== Breath ==
Each Returned is gifted with a single, powerful [[Breath]] which allows
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
== Abilities and Appearance ==▼
All Returned have increased strength and speed, and are able to move inhumanly fast.{{annotation ref|Warbreaker|chapter=22-2}} Their bodies will not grow stronger from exercise or weaker from a lack of it.{{book ref|wb|44}} The 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 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 divine Breath allows them to reach the Fifth Heightening. Their divine Breath can also be sensed by children and animals, which comforts them by playing with [[Spiritweb]]s and the [[Cognitive Realm]].{{wob ref|3950}}{{annotation ref|Warbreaker|chapter=49}} 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}}
▲== Appearance ==
The new appearance of those that Return is in accordance with what they subconsciously think physical perfection is. A Returned can, with the correct training, learn to change his appearance.{{annotation ref|Warbreaker|chapter=22-2}} The old gods look old and the heroic gods look strong, for example.{{book ref|wb|epilogue}} However, common traits include being larger than normal humans, around 7 feet in height, and giving off the color-altering aura of the 5th Heightening.▼
▲The new appearance of those that Return
A Returned is able to suppress his divine Breath, altering his 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.{{annotation ref|Warbreaker|chapter=22-2}}▼
▲A Returned is able to suppress
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. In exchange the Returned are petitioned by the people of the city to give up their Breath as a cure for illnesses.{{book ref|wb|12}} They are also expected to perform auguries by reviewing works of art sent by citizens, and their priests record their dreams to search for prophetic glimpses.{{book ref|wb|3}}▼
== 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.
===Idris===
Due to their [[Austre|belief]], [[Idrian]]s considers it an abomination to give up their Breath. Lacking the Breath supply, Idrian Returned usually live for one week and die on the eighth day when they consume their divine Breath. Whether this fact effects the vision they see when Returning is unknown. It is not unheard of for Idrian Returned to travel to Hallendren to avoid dying and be worshipped instead.{{wob ref|3702}}
=== Other cultures ===
A person can Return on any area on Nalthis. 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 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.{{annotation ref|Warbreaker|chapter=4-2}} In some places Returned are seen as something akin to vampires.{{annotation ref|book=wb|chapter=14}}
== Known Returned ==
* [[Brightvision]]
* [[Calmseer]]
▲* [[Lightsong]]
* [[Giftbeacon]]
* [[Hopefinder]]
* [[Kindwinds]]
* [[Lifeblesser]]
* [[Lightsong]]
* [[Mercystar]]
* [[Mirthgiver]]
== Trivia ==
*
== Notes ==
[[category: Awakening]]
[[category: notable articles]]
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