I don't know what they expected to find maybe Revan standing at the head of the Republic, enforcing his will. When the 66 returned to the Known Galaxy they sought him out. Some 30 years after Revan's second departure, others also come back.
Unknown to Revan, or the rest of the Galaxy, he was not the only one to return from the Unknown Regions. Leaving his friends behind, he once more heads into the Unknown Regions to confront the greater threat to the Republic. Revan still considers his work incomplete, though. With his newly found friends at his side, Revan makes up for what many perceive as his fall to the Dark Side. Ultimately Revan is redeemed Malak and the Star Forge destroyed by Revan's own hand. His return to the known galaxy as a Sith Lord with his friend and now apprentice Darth Malak is well remembered. The Mandalorian wars finished, many believe Revan's work to be complete, but he has seen a greater threat and, taking the remains of his fleet and his loyal followers with him, he heads into the Unknown Regions seeking both the new threat and a device called the Star Forge. In doing so he earns the name The Revanchist and the legend of Darth Revan begins. Promising to preserve the Republic at all costs, he departs with loyal followers who share his beliefs and sets out to face the Mandalore threat.
One man, a powerful Jedi, tires of the arguments and the Council's complacency. The fate of the Galaxy hangs in the balance. The Jedi Council refuses to move against the encroaching Mandalores in spite of the urging of many of the Jedi. The Old Galactic Republic is under threat from the advancing Mandalorian Armies and a time for decision has come.