“"The Order of Istari. Messengers sent to contest the will of Sauron."”
— Celebrimbor, to TalionThe Order of Istari, also simply called Istari or Wizards, were an order of Maiar sent by the Valar as emissaries to watch over the Free Peoples of Middle-earth and help them challenge the dominion of Sauron.
History[]
With the age of Men approaching, the Valar made special arrangements for the overthrow of Sauron: five Maiar would leave Valinor and arrive in Middle-earth as emissaries of the Valar. Their duty was to guide the Free Peoples to do goods and rally all those whom the Enemy would try to enslave. Though clothed in the bodies of Men, the Istari were in truth peers of Sauron himself, although less mighty. They were forbidden, however, from abusing their power and imitating the Dark Lord by seeking dominion. Saruman, who was the first and greatest of the Istari, was recognized as their chief by Free Folk.
While the others carried out their mission in the West, the Blue Wizards went eastwards in search of the Dark Lord's hiding place. Their path took them to Mordor and neighboring lands, where they spent time among the local tribes of Men. A sort of enchantment resulted in individuals they had conversed with forgetting their names; it was surely done to maintain the secrecy of their purpose. The Blue Wizards shared many tales which they had heard in their travels in the West, such as a series of events involving a Goblin city and a Skin-changer (probably Beorn). Signs of their passing through endured within Mordor for years to come, including a star chart and a broken staff; these items had either outlived their usefulness or were forgotten in the Two Istari's haste to hunt down Sauron. In their wake, magic cults were formed, whose sacred artifacts included an azurite figure of the duo. They were never seen again, however, and the Dark Lord soon returned.
Meanwhile, Saruman became the leader of the White Council, a group of the Wise that opposed Sauron; Gandalf and Radagast were also members of this group. Thanks to them, the "Necromancer" was driven out of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood and fled back to the ruined Barad-dûr in Mordor. But, while his allies conferred on how to face their ancient Enemy, the White Wizard began to fall from his errand, consumed by dark thoughts of his own mastery. From his dwelling at Isengard, Saruman began searching for the One Ring, hoping to perhaps wield its power for himself, and spied on both the rest of the White Council and Sauron in Mordor. In addition to his crow and Uruk agents, both harassed by Sauron's Hell-haws and Morgai Flies, Saruman turned Marwen of Núrn into his pawn. The Queen of the Shore had sought out his help during her travels in the Grey Mountains; the White Wizard instead offered her an elixir that poisoned her mind and body, making her susceptible to his will. When the struggle between the "Gravewalker" and Black Captains erupted, the traitor tried to use it to his own advantage. But Saruman's attempt to manipulate Talion and Celebrimbor was discovered and his hold over Marwen and the Tribesmen of Núrn shattered. Eventually, the White Wizard was ensnared by the Dark Lord with promises of power and became his servant. Having betrayed the Free Peoples, he now plotted to betray his new master.
Gandalf would be the only one who would succeed in the mission given by the Valar. Appreciated and trusted by Men, Elves and Dwarves alike, the Grey Pilgrim arose as the secret nemesis of the Dark Lord. Gandalf would ultimately supplant the traitor Saruman, who had ended up as Sauron's pawn, and right his wrongs. Radagast also lent some aid as a trusted friend and messenger of Gandalf, but to a far lesser degree, since he was more concerned with nature than with Elves or Men. As for Saruman, the former White Wizard would ultimately face a similar fate to that of the dark master whose place he had attempted to usurp.
Members[]
- Saruman the White (chief)
- Gandalf the Grey
- Radagast the Brown
- Alatar the Blue
- Pallando the Blue
Trivia[]
- Although the Istari make no physical appearance in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, they are often mentioned by Celebrimbor, who seems to known much about their order and purpose.
- Several artifacts (an weathered azurite figure, a broken staff and ) pertaining to the Blue Wizards are found scattered throughout Mordor and reveal details of their brief presence in the region.
- Though not seen, Saruman's influence is felt through his spies and his unwilling vessel, Marwen. Aside from communicating through the possessed Queen, the White Wizard is also heard talking to one of his agents in one artifact memory.
- Gandalf's name is also mentioned in the appendices of Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
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