Gandalf the Who?

[reanjr]

IIRC, Gandalf is actually a god, sorta, not really a wizard.

Well, in LotR, wizard means Istari, which is simply one of the five Maiar who came over: Gandalf (Olorin), Saruman (Curunir), Radagast, and those other two no one ever remembers becasue they live in the east past Mordor and don't affect anything except by inference.

 

[shilsen]

IIRC, Gandalf is actually a god, sorta, not really a wizard.

Angel might be a more correct analogy. In the pantheon that Tolkien created for Middle-Earth, right at the top is the uber-god Eru Iluvatar. Below him are the lesser spirits called the Ainur, out of whom those who came to dwell in Middle-Earth are called the Valar (Manwe being their leader and Sauron's original master Melkor/Morgoth being a fallen Valar). The Valar are served by spirits known as the Maiar. Gandalf is actually the Maia named Olorin, and Saruman is also a Maia, as Sauron was originally.

 

[Mystery Man]

Balrogs were corrupted Maiar by Melkor, which is why the one under Moria was such a handful for Gandalf.

 

[ASH]

Any other questions?

 

[mojo1701]

Any other questions?

If a train is going east from Chicago at 60 km/h is on the same track as a train going west from Boston at 80 km/h...

 

[David Howery]

Any other questions?

are home improvement costs tax deductible?
How can I get blood off my chainsaw?
Do you know the way to San Jose?
Why do fools fall in love?

 

[Psychic Warrior]

There's also the fact that there were only ever five wizards in the whole world. It isn't all that hard to be the best in such a small field.

That was great!

 

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

are home improvement costs tax deductible?

Yes

How can I get blood off my chainsaw?

Pex, followed by alcohol

Do you know the way to San Jose?

http://www.mapquest.com

Why do fools fall in love?

Dopamine

 

[ASH]

Ha ha.... Everybody's a comedian!!!

 

[JimAde]

If a train is going east from Chicago at 60 km/h is on the same track as a train going west from Boston at 80 km/h...

Trick question. In the USA we still use miles.