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The Returned were the Dreamers of the Dark City whom Cassie brought back to the world of the living using her Supreme Ability. Rather than being illusions, phantoms, or simple manifestations, they were described as real beings with a sense of self, the memories of their former lives, free will, souls, true shadows, [[Aspects], and recognition by the Spell.[1]
More than a thousand former Sleepers who had lived and died on the Forgotten Shore were restored, including figures such as Gunlaug, Caster, Gemma, Kido, Stev, and Harper. After returning from beyond the grave, they tethered themselves to Citadels in the Dream Realm and became Awakened, with some already advancing to become Masters.[1]
Cassie gave them complete freedom to choose their own paths, and they scattered across the world, adapting to a reality that had changed dramatically during their absence. Some helped the River People build floating cities, others served Legacy Clans, assisted in the development of the Dream Realm, joined Seishan in Ravenheart, or became Cassie's personal assistants. Most eventually joined the Fire Keepers, effectively becoming a second generation of the organization while the original members pursued greater advancement. Although they retained their memories and identities, they faced the challenge of returning to a world where decades had passed, old homes had vanished, familiar people were gone, and the apocalypse was drawing near.[1]
Notable Returnees
- Gunlaug traveled to the Stormsea, where he helped the River People construct floating cities.[1]
- Caster entered the service of a Legacy Clan that ruled one of the Citadel Cities in the basin of the River of Tears.[1]
- Gemma and Kido settled in Ravenheart, with Kido working under Saint Bliss to accelerate the agricultural development of the Dream Realm.[1]
- Stev, despite having died during the siege of the Crimson Spire, returned to the Forgotten Shore and joined the Shadow Clan, serving under Aiko in the Dark Castle.[1]
- Harper was reunited with his family and, like several others.[1]
- Dozens of the former Handmaidens joined Seishan and their sisters in Ravenheart.[1]
Mechanics
Cassie's Supreme Ability is capable of manifesting things she remembered into reality. According to Sunny, its power was so mysterious that it bordered on the ineffable and carried a subtle scent of divinity. The beings and objects she summoned were not illusions, phantoms, or mere mental constructs. Once manifested, they became real. Those she brought back possessed their own sense of self, retained the memories of their original lives, exercised free will, had souls and true shadows, could use their Aspects, and were recognized by the Nightmare Spell as legitimate carriers. The only notable difference was that if they were destroyed, they vanished completely, leaving behind no trace—not even shades.[1]
Cassie used this ability to restore more than a thousand Dreamers of the Dark City, bringing them back from beyond the grave. However, her power had limits. She could only manifest one Supreme being at a time, and that position was already occupied by herself. The Returned Dreamers consumed nearly all of her capacity for Dormant and Awakened manifestations, continuously drawing spirit essence at the same rate it was replenished.[1]
Her ability scaled according to Rank. She could manifest powerful Transcendent beings and items, though maintaining them consumed essence. As for Ascended beings, Cassie stated that she could indefinitely sustain the manifestation of forty-nine Masters, and there was still room for additional Returned to grow stronger. Up to seven of them could become Saints without overwhelming her Aspect. As her Domain expanded and generated more spirit essence, her capacity to sustain manifested beings of higher Ranks was expected to increase as well.[1]
Rather than controlling those she restored, Cassie gave them complete freedom. The Returned were not beholden to her and were free to choose their own paths. She explained that she had brought the Dreamers of the Dark City back because she believed the world still needed their potential, allowing them to live new lives in a vastly changed world while preparing humanity for the approaching apocalypse.[1]
References
Sources & history
The Returned · Shadow Slave Wiki
Source revision 42532
Adapted from Fandom. CC-BY-SA
Retrieved 2026-11-04 · Article version 1