I believe, Voralphion, that the staff was in fact a source of power for the Istari and was (logically) bequeathed upon them by the Valar or made by the Istari themselves before departing from Valinor. Of course, it may be that there is no textual support either way, but I tend to believe the above opinion as the staff of Gandalf always struck me as something of more significance than a walking stick or a device of Elven craft in Gandalf's deeds.
__________________
...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.
|