The Istari

This is a series of posts developed by Vicki to help explain and detail the mythology of Middle Earth. These will be posted throughout the week.

The Istari:

The Istari are the five maiar who took the form of human wizards to to the aid of Middle Earth and fight Sauron, at the recommendation of the Valar. They are:

Radagast the Brown- Servant to Yavanna, his specialty is in healing, plants, and animals. He gives little care to the people of Middle Earth, preferring to tend to the lands instead. He was the servant of Saruman in the early days.

Alatar the Dark Blue: Servant to Orome, his specialty lay in being a hunter and physical skills. He abandoned the mission of the Order in favor of power.

Pallando the Light Blue: A servant of Namo/Mandos, his specialty lies in darkness and death. He abandoned the mission of the Istari, and grows his own army of followers for his own uses.

Saruman the White (later the Multi colored): A servant of Aule, his skill lay in alchemy and persuasion. The wisest and most powerful of the order (at first) he is their chosen leader. Tempted by Sauron, he abandoned the mission of the Istari, and becomes a pawn of Sauron's. Defeated in battle at Orthanac, he is stripped of his power and flees to the Shire. He even loses his names, and is referred to as "Sharkey." He meets his death at the hands of his servant, Grima Wormtongue.

Gandalf the Grey (later the White): Servant of Manwe and Niessa. Of all the Istari, only Gandalf remained true to the mission, helping to defeat Sauron until the very end. For this, he was given passage back to the undying lands where he now remains.