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Character Bios

Gandalf

Meaning: Elvish wight with a magic staff (this applies to the Men of the North)

Other Names: Olórin, Mithrandir, Tharkûn, Incánus, Greyhame, Stormcrow

Location(s): Arda, Valinor, North, South and West of Middle-Earth

Race/Species: Ainur

Type/Kind: Maia

Title(s): the Gray, the White, the White Rider, the Grey Pilgrim, Grey Wanderer

Dates: ? - III 3021*

Parents: n/a

Siblings: n/a

Spouse: n/a

Children: n/a

Description:
* The year that he set sail from the Grey Havens.

"Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience."

"...for though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. In later days he was the friend of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and took pity on their sorrows; and those who listened to him awoke from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness.

The Silmarillion, Valaquenta, Of the Maiar

"Galadriel indeed had wished that Mithrandir should be the head of the Council ... but Mithrandir refused the office, since he would have no ties and no allegiance, save to those who sent him, and he would abide in no place nor be subject to any summons."

The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

"An old man was driving it [cart] all alone. He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows that stuck out beyond the brim of this hat."

The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, I - A Long-Expected Party

"There he stood, grown suddenly tall, towering above them."

"His hair was white as snow in the sunshine; and gleaming white was his robe; the eyes under his deep brows were bright, piercing as the rays of the sun; power was in his hand."

The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Three, V - The White Rider

"Old and weary you seem now, and yet you are fell and grim beneath, I deem." (said of Gandalf by a gate guard at Edoras)

"Suddenly he threw back his grey cloak, and cast aside his hat, and leaped to horseback. He wore no helm nor mail. His snowy hair flew free in the wind, his white robes shone dazzling in the sun."

The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Three, VI - The King of the Golden Hall

"It was already dark, but I could see the rider's face clearly: it seemed to shine, and all his clothes were white."

The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Three, IX - Flotsam and Jetsam

Contributors:
Ying, 01.06.03; Loquacious, 01.06.03; Marta, 04.04.04, 04.10.04

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