Returning Spirits is a system where a group of Seasonal Spirits with a specific theme[1] return for 1-2 weeks to offer their collectibles, appearing together in specific locations within the Realms. Similarly to Traveling Spirits, these visits are the only way for players to obtain Expression upgrades, Cosmetics, and a Wing Buff[2] from past-Season Spirits. This event is called a "Special Visit" (also known as a "Group Visit" by the community).
While it is not to be confused with Traveling Spirits, the Returning Spirit system is essentially a group of Traveling Spirits that return all at once and for longer than 4 days. In addition, both systems can overlap and run together, meaning a Traveling Spirit could happen while a Special Visit is occurring.
See Spirit Visits for all Spirit appearances and statistics based on them.
Overview[]
On March 3 2023, TGC made an announcement about trying something new that will complement the current Traveling Spirits system that would allow players to be able to interact with past Seasonal Spirits more frequently, without overwhelming players.[3] TGC will be testing out different solutions over the course of the year.
Similar to Traveling Spirits, Special Visits occur when past-Seasonal Spirits return for a limited time, allowing players to purchase items they have previously missed. Even players who have completed the Spirit's Friendship Tree during its Season can benefit, acquiring one new Wing Buff[2] with each Spirit. At times, new items may be added to a Spirit's offerings; such as Props for Shared Spaces.
Returning Spirits provide an opportunity for new players to (eventually) acquire all of the collectibles offered by Seasonal Spirits. This does not include Seasonal Pendants or Ultimate Gifts from past Seasons (all of which were offered by the Season Guides, not the Season Spirits).[4]
Only players who have completed Valley of Triumph can see the Returning Spirit's Season Guide at Home. This means you must have been to the Valley Temple and must have meditated at its altar; you do not have to find any Spirits, unlock any Expressions, or buy any Cosmetics.
Players who have previously purchased items from a Returning Spirit or Traveling Spirit (either during their Season or a previous visit) will see those as unlocked items in the Spirit's Friendship Tree. This includes Cosmetics, higher level Expressions, Hearts, Wing Buffs, and some Blessings.
Only Seasonal Spirits return as Returning Spirits, so Season Guides will not return as Returning Spirits, but TGC has mentioned that they will return in some form, bringing their cosmetics.
Schedule[]
As of August 22 2024, there is no clear schedule of Special Visits as announced by ThatGameCompany. However, it can be assumed that Special Visits will occur approximately every Season.
Friendship Tree Information[]
When a Spirit first returns as a Traveling/Returning Spirit they always offer all the same items as they did during the Season. Any previously Season Pass exclusive items become available to all players. Relative to the in-Season Tree, the items are completely reorganized, and their costs are all changed (into more expensive non-Seasonal currencies). In addition, a few new items are added -- a Wing Buff (costing 2 
) is always added, but new cosmetics may also appear (new placeable Props are particularly likely). Anything bought from a Traveling Spirit shop will also reflect on what's sold on a Returning Spirit's shop.
To read more about the Friendship Tree, visit the Seasonal Spirits page.
Current Returning Spirits
The current Returning Spirits are: Beckoning Ruler, Gloating Narcissist, Stretching Lamplighter, Slouching Soldier, Sneezing Geographer, Star Collector.
Beckoning Ruler
| ||
|---|---|---|
 48  |
||
 5 |
||
 Lv46  |
Lv3 3 |
|
 2 |
||
 42 |
5 |
|
| Lv2 4 |
|
 3 |
| Total: 103 + 13 + 2
| ||
Gloating Narcissist
| ||
|---|---|---|
 65 |
||
5 |
||
 Lv46 |
Lv3 3 |
|
2 |
||
 #2215 |
5 |
 46 |
| Lv2 4 |
|
3 |
| Total: 139 + 13 + 2
| ||
Stretching Lamplighter
| ||
|---|---|---|
 70 |
||
5 |
||
 Lv46 |
Lv3 3 |
|
2 |
||
 44 |
5 |
|
| Lv2 4 |
|
3 |
| Total: 127 + 13 + 2
| ||
| Prices are always subject to change. These prices are from this Spirit's most recent visit. | ||
Slouching Soldier
| ||
|---|---|---|
 70 |
||
5 |
||
 Lv46 |
Lv3 3 |
|
2 |
||
| #23 15 |
5 |
 42 |
| Lv2 4 |
|
3 |
| Total: 140 + 13 + 2
| ||
Sneezing Geographer
| ||
|---|---|---|
 70 |
||
5 |
||
 Lv46 |
Lv3 3 |
|
2 |
||
 40 |
5 |
3 |
| Lv2 4 |
|
|
| Total: 123 + 13 + 2
| ||
| Prices are always subject to change. These prices are from this Spirit's most recent visit. | ||
Star Collector
| ||
|---|---|---|
 70 |
||
 75 |
5 |
|
 Lv46 |
Lv3 3 |
|
2 |
||
 40 |
5 |
|
| Lv2 4 |
|
3 |
| Total: 198 + 13 + 2
| ||
Upcoming Visits[]
April 7, 2025[]
Special Group of Visiting Spirits Arriving in April!
Just in time to enjoy the final week of the Sky x Le Petit Prince Encore, all six Spirits from the Season of The Little Prince: Beckoning Ruler, Gloating Narcissist, Stretching Lamplighter, Slouching Soldier, Sneezing Geographer and Star Collector, will pay Sky children a special visit in April! Mark your calendars for their visit from Monday, April 7 through Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Historical Appearances[]
January 13, 2025[]
Four Seasonal Spirits from past Seasons: Pleading Child, Modest Dancer, Troupe Juggler and Oddball Outcast arrived in the Village of Dreams' ice rink to add extra energy to the start of the new year! Players could meet them from Monday, January 13 to Sunday, January 26, 2025.
September 16, 2024[]
Two Seasonal Entities from the Season of Shattering: the Memories of Ancient Light and Ancient Darkness paid a special visit to the Realms from Monday, September 16 through Sunday, September 29, 2024. The Shattering Guide appeared in Home and the Aviary Village Event Store to teleport players directly to the Void of Shattering to meet them.
March 4, 2024[]
Four Seasonal Spirits from past Seasons: Indifferent Alchemist, Nodding Muralist, Ceasing Commodore and Frantic Stagehand headed to the area of Daylight Prairie where the Spring Camping took place from Monday, March 4 to Sunday, March 17, 2024.
August 7, 2023[]
Four Seasonal Spirits from different Seasons: Hiking Grouch, Cackling Cannoneer, Crab Whisperer, and Troupe Greeter couldn't help but return to the Realms for a special visit to Prairie Peaks. Players could meet them from Monday, August 7 to Sunday, August 13, 2023.
.png "Returning Spirits - August 2023 (Promo image 2).png (2.14 MB)")
July 3, 2023[]
Four Seasonal Spirits from different Seasons: Thoughtful Director, Respectful Pianist, Leaping Dancer, and Greeting Shaman gathered to jam with players and offer items in their Friendship Trees from Monday, July 3 to Sunday, July 16, 2023. The Harmony Hall Guide was standing at Home and was able to teleport players directly to the Harmony Hall.
May 15, 2023[]
Three Seasonal Spirits from the Season of Prophecy returned from Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21, 2023. Prophet of Air, Prophet of Water, and Prophet of Earth hung out at the top of the Cave of Prophecies. The Prophecy Guide was standing at Home and was able to teleport players directly to the Cave of Prophecies.
Because this Special Visit was based on the "Twilight Gloaming" theme, the Cave of Prophecies had a special lighting during the visit. According to TGC on twitter, "Back in March, the community voted for a Special Visit themed under “Twilight Gloaming,” hence the beautiful hues of blue and purple on these special visitors!".
There was also a Double Currency Event during the Special Visit week, where players were able to enjoy twice as many Daily Treasure Candles and Seasonal Candle Bunches scattered across one Realm each day.
March 6, 2023[]
Four Seasonal Spirits from the Season of Assembly returned from Monday, March 6 to Sunday, March 19, 2023. Baffled Botanist, Chuckling Scout, Marching Adventurer, and Scaredy Cadet hung out at the end of Hidden Forest, past the Temple. The Assembly Guide was standing at Home and was able to teleport players directly to the Forest End. They also offered a free Shared Space Spell for players to try out.
Future Returning Spirits[]
On March 9 2023, TGC created a Twitter poll[5] to allow the community to choose the next group of Returning Spirits. The final result after 9,912 votes were:
| Sunset Eventide | 26.6% |
| Twilight Gloaming | 44.7% |
|---|---|
| Verdant Seascape | 15.6% |
| Grassy Loam | 13.1% |
Later, the May 15 2023 visit, Twilight Gloaming, was revealed to be a group of Season of Prophecy Spirits. TGC also elaborated on the hints given above, that the Twilight Gloaming visit was based on a theme, not on a Season [1].
Trivia[]
- The May 15, 2023 "Twilight Gloaming" Returning Spirit group is the only group to only have three Returning Spirits rather than the typical four.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The selected Spirits are based on a theme, not a Season, as confirmed by this tweet.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Wing Buff offered from a Returning Spirit is the same one offered as a Traveling Spirit.
- ↑ For more information, see the announcement on TGC's website.
- ↑ thatgamecompany has mentioned future plans to bring back Ultimate Gifts using some other mechanism, but details have not been announced.
- ↑ Twitter poll