[+] The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - SPOILERS ALLOWED

[wicked cool]

Why is Saruman not mentioned as possibly being the stranger?

 

[Hriston]

The identity of the three travelers from Rhûn has become even more puzzling in the recent episode. They're clearly supernatural, probably maiar, but they don't seem like wizards to me, at least not the good kind. Their control of fire suggests balrogs.

 

[Hriston]

Why is Saruman not mentioned as possibly being the stranger?

By whom? He has been mentioned in this very thread.

 

[Ryujin]

The identity of the three travelers from Rhûn has become even more puzzling in the recent episode. They're clearly supernatural, probably maiar, but they don't seem like wizards to me, at least not the good kind. Their control of fire suggests balrogs.

I'm not as quick to jump to Balrog. After all, The Stranger has been accused of using sympathetic magic as well, when the tent pole fell. I would agree with the general air of "not good" though, as leaving an entire village homeless for a toothless threat doesn't really smack of good.

 

[Hriston]

Good episode
Does Gondor exist at this point?

No, but Pelargir was mentioned as a destination for the refugees from Mordor, and it was stated to be an abandoned colony of Númenor, I think. Pelargir is later the chief port of Gondor.

I’m assuming not and I’m assuming isildur is the same from the novels?

Yes, it is meant to be the same character, but as far as I know he is only mentioned in one novel, the LotR.

Isn’t his place in this story off by over a 1000 years?

Not necessarily. Pelargir was founded in SA 2350. Obviously, we're sometime after that if the city has since been abandoned. Isildur was born in SA 3209 and co-founded Gondor in SA 3320, so the chronology works out just fine with respect to those details.

ETA: Oh, look at that! Isil was eleventy-one when he founded Gondor!

 

[Hriston]

I'm not as quick to jump to Balrog. After all, The Stranger has been accused of using sympathetic magic as well, when the tent pole fell. I would agree with the general air of "not good" though, as leaving an entire village homeless for a toothless threat doesn't really smack of good.

Sure, I think balrog is grasping. I can think of two possibilities, assuming the Stranger is Sauron. Either they're heretofore unknown supporters of Sauron who are trying to find him to remind him of who he is, in which case they could be maiar formerly allied to him, or they're Sauron hunters (istari) who are trying to find him so he can be contained in some way. I actually kind of like the idea of a trio of Second Age female wizards who aren't restricted, as the Third Age wizards were, from confronting Sauron directly, or who have gone rogue, ignoring the limitations the Valar placed on their mission.

Of course, if the Stranger isn't Sauron, or is himself a wizard, then they could other wizards (which doesn't seem likely given their treatment of the harfoots) or followers of Sauron sent to neutralize the newly fallen wizard.

 

[Rabulias]

By whom? He has been mentioned in this very thread.

As has Radagast, who the Stranger's ties to nature and his befuddlement seem to be pointing for me.

 

[Ryujin]

As has Radagast, who the Stranger's ties to nature and his befuddlement seem to be pointing for me.

I would say that Gandalf, Sauruman, and Sauron are the leading possibilities. Gandalf, because he's a beloved character. Sauruman because, if I'm remembering correctly, he was the titular leader of the Istari, so being the first in-country would be reasonable. Sauron, because drama and misdirection.

 

[wicked cool]

As has Radagast, who the Stranger's ties to nature and his befuddlement seem to be pointing for me.

Sorry about that. I didn’t see that

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Celeborn dead? Or just missing/prisoner? Something doesn't track.