Returned physique

[Stormgate he/him]

It is mentioned in Warbreaker that Returned have the ability to manipulate their body, changing certain physical attributes such as build. Is this simply a property of the Returned, or do all people of the 5th Heightening or higher have this ability.

[Landis963 he/him]

I suspect it is a property of anyone with a so-called "Divine" Breath.  Notably, this extends to the Idrian royal family as well - note the Royal Locks, which can change length and color on their wearer's whim.  

[Yata he/him]

I see the returned as people with a Cognitive Aspect build by the outsider factor (probably imprinted by the Divine Breath) and their Physiscal Aspect (as Returned) that emutale the Cognitive Aspect (like some Feruchemist with a lot of Health). When they suppres the Divine Breath their cognitive aspect return "normal" and the their body return at the original state.

[Stormgate he/him]

So, even if say, Jewels (chosen because of the absence of Royal Locks) got to the 5th Heightening, she wouldn't be able to change her body like the Returned do?

[Yata he/him]

So, even if say, Jewels (chosen because of the absence of Royal Locks) got to the 5th Heightening, she wouldn't be able to change her body like the Returned do?

people with the 5th Heightening is rare but there is some of it in the City. And nobody knows about her ability of "changing body" therefore:

1- Simply having many breath don't give you this ability

2- Nobody that have the right amount of Breaths discovered this possibilities.

 

The Returneds himself don't know that they can change body.

[Stormgate he/him]

So, can I sum up this thread by saying "We don't know."

[DSC01 he/him]

It is almost certainly tied to the Divine Breath and has nothing to do with reaching the 5th Heightening. The Idrian royal family retains a modicum of the ability because they are descended from the Returned, and they don't have any Breath beyond the one they were born with.

[Yata he/him]

It is almost certainly tied to the Divine Breath and has nothing to do with reaching the 5th Heightening. The Idrian royal family retains a modicum of the ability because they are descended from the Returned, and they don't have any Breath beyond the one they were born with.

You have right but the Idrian Royal family had a single breath above the average (brobably worth 2-3 standard Breaths) but nothing like the 5th Heightening required.

[Shardbearer he/him]

I don't recall seeing anything that says the Idrian Royals have anything more than a single Breath. Do you have a source for that?

[DSC01 he/him]

They all have only one Breath; it's just a strong one. I'm about 90% sure of that. Where are you getting that it's worth 2-3 regular ones, Yata? I thought it was more powerful, but I got the impression that it was maybe 1.5 strength or something.

[Stormgate he/him]

I think that Yata is mistaken. It's not that the Idrian Royals have multiple breaths, their natural one simply is more potent. I have an impressive track record of being wrong, also, so I may be just as wrong.

[Eagle of the Forest Path he/him]

That actually is what Yata was saying, guys:

 

"You have right but the Idrian Royal family had a single breath(, which is) above the average (brobably worth 2-3 standard Breaths) but nothing like the 5th Heightening required."

[Stormgate he/him]

I think at this point, everyone know what everyone is talking about. Can we leave this thread alone to die, now? Please?