Returned

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Returned
History
Founded on Theros

The Returned, also called Noston (from nostos, "to return home"),[1] are undead creatures that have escaped the Underworld in the plane of Theros. They are comparable to zombies[2] but have a few notable differences, including the separation of their soul in the form of eidolons.[3]

Description

For the most part, Returned look the same as living mortals and can be of any race native to Theros. However, their skin takes on a light gray hue and their faces are blank surfaces with empty eye sockets, the latter of which they hide with golden masks. These are distinct from the clay funerary masks used to protect a soul's identity as they enter the Underworld, which the Returned symbolically leave behind or destroy. Since gold is the most common resource in the Underworld, the Returned craft new masks out of this material to represent who they used to be.

Origins

Sentient mortals who die in Theros are ferried by Athreos across the Tartyx River (or the "Rivers That Ring the World") to one of the five wards of the Underworld, the domain of Erebos. According to myth, Phenax was the first mortal to find a route of escape out of the land of the dead, since referred to as the Path of Phenax. While his exact method is unknown, the basic principle is that he used the waters of Tartyx to strip himself of his identity, thus making him undetectable by Athreos and unable to be pulled back by Erebos's whip. After this, other denizens of the Underworld replicated his escape, some were even assisted by the new god of deception.[3]

Nature

Returned don't need to eat or sleep, but still need to breathe and drink water to sustain themselves. Giving up their identity in the Tartyx River causes them to lose their memories, which become physically separated from the Returned in the form of their eidolon, and the ability to create new ones long-term. Returned forget their name and history, but retain the ability to speak, the skills they had in life (such as playing music), and a basic understanding of the world. They can remember things in the short term, but for the most part operate on instinct, routine, and emotion. When a Returned is destroyed, their soul cannot be recovered or resurrected.[2][3]

Differences with other undead

Returned were originally described as "sentient, sapient zombies",[2] however there are a few important features that set them apart. While zombies or skeletons are typically reanimated remains, the Returned are physically separate from the body their soul inhabited in life. A soul that escapes the Underworld through the Path of Phenax manifests a new form that exists alongside their mortal corpse. In addition, though Returned lack their memories, they are not mindless and still have autonomy.[3]

Personality

Returned maintain the personality they had in life, but their emotions tend to be either muted or exaggerated and fleeting. When not plagued with ennui, Returned are frequently melancholic, bitter, jealous, and lonely. Those who aren't outright violent toward the living are unable to connect with them.[2]

Kinds of Returned

Returned typically have no goals that they can remember, but many compulsively perform habitual tasks or are forced into the service of stronger creatures. These are the known kinds of Returned:

  • Anographers record vague memories on ancient scrolls.[3]
  • Drifters are purposeless wanderers. They are the most common kind of Returned.[3]
  • Gray Merchants sell cursed wares in exchange for useless trinkets.[3][4]
  • Kakomanteis are mages capable of blood magic and can manipulate the energy of the Underworld. They are often members of the Order of Phaios in Asphodel.[3]
  • Palamnites are rage-filled killers desperate to cause violence and suffering. They are often members of Tymaret's army in Odunos.[3]
  • Pseudammas are former parents that kidnap mortal children.[3][5][6]
  • Sentries are the tireless guards of the necropoleis.[3]

Eidolons

When the Tartyx River washes away the identity of a Returned, that identity physically manifests as an eidolon. These Nyxborn spirits are similar to ghosts and frequently behave as such, but are more accurately described as the spectral embodiment of a being's essence. Where ghosts are echoes of souls that refuse to pass on, an eidolon is "half" of a soul that has already passed into the Underworld and been severed from their corporeal form. As such, they lack control over their emotions and chaotically follow their whims. An eidolon and its Returned body are not inherently aware of each other's existence and have no interest in reuniting.[3]

Society

Returned tend to reject civilization, wandering alone or hiding in caves and tombs.

Necropoleis

Many Returned gather in communities, either at small isolated settlements or in a necropolis (city of the dead). These are pale imitations of human society that are ironically more similar to the wards of the Underworld. There are three known necropoleis: the despondent Asphodel, the angry Odunos, and the newer Iretis.

Asphodel

Situated in the marsh of the Despair Lands, Asphodel is the home of Returned that wish to be left alone.[2] The city is defended by the Order of Phaios, mages specializing in blood magic.[3] The wastes outside the necropolis are prowled by Aphemia, a harpy able to control the Returned with her song.[7]

Odunos

In contrast to Asphodel, Odunos is occupied by resentful Returned that violently despise the living and frequently raid nearby settlements, motivated only by an urge to destroy.[2] Myths say that Odunos was founded by Phenax, but the city's monarch is Tymaret, who was sent by Erebos to slaughter the escaped Returned.[3]

Iretis

Like Odunos, Iretis was once a Meletian city ruled by King Kedarick VI located somewhere near Oreskos. The kingdom had a tense relationship with the neighboring leonin, but peace talks were gradually working toward cooperation. However, Ashiok and Phenax plagued both parties with nightmares, escalating their fears of one another until the leonin assaulted and destroyed the polis. Phenax then claimed Iretis as a new necropolis for his Returned.[8][9]

Economy

The abundance of gold in the Underworld causes its denizens not to value it as currency. Instead, they use clay shards from their funerary masks, or "ostraka", as a kind of barter tool.[3] Because of their symbolic value, Returned also use the ostrakon as currency, mementos, trophies, and ornamentation.[2]

Notable Returned

  • Daxos, oracle of Heliod
  • Varyas, oracle of Phenax
  • Tymaret the Murder King

In-game references

Represented in:
Quoted or referred to:

References

  1. ↑ Trick Jarrett (December 5, 2013). "The Returned". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g Wizards of the Coast (September 04, 2013). "Planeswalker's Guide to Theros, Part 3".
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
  4. ↑ Depicted in Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  5. ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (Feb 19, 2014). "Dance of the Flitterstep". magicthegathering.com.
  6. ↑ Depicted in Forlorn Pseudamma
  7. ↑ Depicted in Aphemia, the Cacophony
  8. ↑ Ken Troop (November 27, 2013). "Building Toward a Dream, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Ken Troop (December 04, 2013). "Building Toward A Dream, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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