Where did Gandalf get his staffs from? - Page 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thingol · 06-15-2002, 06:24 PM

Well Gandalf is a maia also, so maybe that will clear things up for your brother. The Istari, or wizzards, were are all maiar, incarnated into the form of elderly men, and sent to Middle Earth by the Valar.

Greyhame · 06-15-2002, 07:17 PM

Did Glamdring (Gandalf's sword) survive the fall into the chasm at Moria? If it did, that could explain how Gandalf defeated the Balrog without his staff.

Wait, when talking to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli upon his return, he says: "Ever I hewed at him..." That would insinuate possesion of a sword, wouldn't it? I love it when I answer my own question.

Anyway, I used to be called Child of Eru around here, and now I'm back. Hi, everyone.

*Varda* · 06-16-2002, 04:44 AM

Welcome back! Have fun and post often

akhtene · 06-16-2002, 04:48 PM

To my mind wizards's stuffs were more like part of their being (and they were, well, magical beings themselves) than some material objects. This can explain why Gandalf kept his stuff while being a prisoner of Saruman, who would have probably taken it away if it could be done. But this is what Frodo saw in his dream in Bombadil's house:

Quote:

In the midst of the plain stood a pinacle of stone, like a vast tower but not made by hands. On its top stood a figure of a man... The figure lifted his arms and a light flashed from the stuff that he wielded. A mighty eagle swept down and bore him away.

So Gandalf escaped from Saruman with his stuff.

As for Gandalf's return after the battle with Balrog, he doesn't seem to have anything with him at all

Quote:

Naked I was sent back - for a brief time, untill my task is done. And naked I lay upon the mountain top... I was alone, forgotten, without escape...

He was then carried to Lorien where he "was clothed in white". Maybe there, from elves, he also got the new stuff (or the material part of it)

Anyway, how exactly did the wizards use their stuffs? Well, for walking, as a common weapon, as a torch; but what about purely magical purposes? Were any actions performed with the stuff to make magic stronger? Nothing comes to my mind, though I didn't search.

06-15-2002, 06:24 PM	#41
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	Well Gandalf is a maia also, so maybe that will clear things up for your brother. The Istari, or wizzards, were are all maiar, incarnated into the form of elderly men, and sent to Middle Earth by the Valar. __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

06-15-2002, 07:17 PM	#42
Greyhame Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: illinois Posts: 42	Did Glamdring (Gandalf's sword) survive the fall into the chasm at Moria? If it did, that could explain how Gandalf defeated the Balrog without his staff. Wait, when talking to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli upon his return, he says: "Ever I hewed at him..." That would insinuate possesion of a sword, wouldn't it? I love it when I answer my own question. Anyway, I used to be called Child of Eru around here, and now I'm back. Hi, everyone. __________________ Poo-tee-weet?

06-16-2002, 04:44 AM	#43
Varda Maiden of Tears Join Date: May 2002 Location: Valinor. Posts: 572	Welcome back! Have fun and post often __________________ 'It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them' ~Frodo "Life is hard. After all, it kills you." - Katharine Hepburn