What I would do:

If your players want to come back, and you have already found potential replacements for them, I would absolutely tell them they are behind the potential replacements for their raid spots. If those replacements get turned away because the old raiders came back, that news will travel, and you will have problems recruiting should the need arise in the future.

This is especially important if those replacements are folks who have been in the guild and raiding on standby/backup. They've put in their time not getting a raid spot every time and don't deserve to be put on the spot.

If you're in the position of not having any replacements for them, a serious conversation is in order, as mentioned, but how you handle it at that point is a much more grey area. I would absolutely make it clear that you won't stand for a second departure on their account. Gone and back again is not something you need in your raid, and allowing it will give the raiders control, rather than officers.

As far as the Legendary goes: Just because it might be the best fit for the caster dps doesn't mean that it won't be a significant upgrade for another, more stable raider. While I don't advocate wasting the legendary, I also don't necessarily think that player deserves it. Since I don't follow caster weapons (I don't raid any more and I don't play casters) I don't really know what use it would have to other roles.

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