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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.{{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.{{
== 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.{{
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}}
Each Returned is gifted with a single, powerful [[Breath]] which allows them to reach the [[Heightening#Fifth Heightening|Fifth Heightening]]. 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}} 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.{{
== Abilities and Appearance ==
All Returned have increased strength and speed, and are able to move inhumanly fast.{{
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}}{{
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.{{
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.{{
== Cultural impact ==
=== 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.{{
== Known Returned ==
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