Crossword Genius

Miser's personality recalled after vicious creatures returned (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scrooge

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'miser's' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'personality recalled after vicious creatures returned' is the wordplay.
'personality' becomes 'ego' (I've seen this before).
'recalled' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'vicious creatures' becomes 'orcs' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'ego' in reverse letter order is 'oge'.
'orcs' reversed gives 'scro'.
'oge' put after 'scro' is 'SCROOGE'.

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(Other definitions for scrooge that I've seen before include "Mean person" , "One mean with money" , "See 25 Across" , "Miserly curmudgeon" , "'A Christmas Carol' character" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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