The Returned

Lore & Background

Despite their utility, the Returned are viewed with a mix of reverence and unease by the common folk. Culturally, they represent a perversion of the natural order, as the dead should rest in the afterlife rather than being dragged back to serve the living. The process is often associated with the wealthy, who can afford the light required for the ritual. In times of war, armies are bolstered by legions of these silent soldiers, creating terrifying spectacles where the battlefield is filled with the shuffling of bodies that cannot die a second time.

In Their Own Story

The mud of the training grounds was thick and red, churning under the boots of the living soldiers. Behind them stood a row of Returned, their eyes hollow sockets glowing faintly with the yellow light that bound them to this world. They did not blink. They did not shiver in the chill wind. When the commander raised his hand, they moved as one, picking up heavy spears and marching forward into the mud without hesitation. There was no fear in their gait, only the cold, mechanical obedience of light trapped in bone.

Reader's Guide

In Hallandren, the existence of the Returned is deeply intertwined with the nation's religious views on death and duty. While some sects believe that forcing a soul back into a body traps it in suffering, others view it as a final act of service for the deceased to continue protecting their kin. The magic required to create them relies heavily on the availability of biochromatic light, which is harvested from plants or stored in jars. This resource scarcity limits who can afford such servants, reinforcing the class divide between the elite and the poor. Historically, the use of Returned has evolved from a rare ritual to a standard military tactic during times of conflict. The doctrine suggests that while they lack souls, their bodies are still sacred vessels, and damaging them without cause is considered an affront to the gods who gifted the light.

Did You Know?

• Returned cannot speak or communicate verbally; they can only perform actions directly commanded by their creator.
• The color of light used to create a Returned often determines the specific type of strength or durability granted, though yellow is most common for general animating.
• A Returned will continue to function even if severely damaged, stopping only when the light within them is extinguished or the body is completely destroyed.