LOTRs/Silmarillion discussion page:

[danlo]

Amy and I were pm-ing (guess new type of term over here) and Amy is really in2 rereading The Silmarillion and studying Quenya now. That's inspired me 2 reread Sil again. I studied the Shandaric (sp?) alphabet in '86 but didn't have any1 2 communicate with. So please feel free 2 discuss Tolkien in gen., LOTRs, The Silmarillion, The movies, animations, possibility of Sil movie(s), and communicate away in any language u please: right here, right now! p.s. polls with other characters 2 come: Next month, elves (minus Legolas, now don't cry).

[Michael Giantfriend]

Not very likely ... However, there is one way it could be done ...

fan.theonering.net/writing/stories/files/kyriel_monty15.html

This would make an excellent version...

[danlo]

and a GREAT link 4 this page, thanX!!!! These laffy emoticons r kinda goofy, don't u think: they look like some1 (like Beavis or Butthead) going "hehehe, hehehe I just had an accident in my pants..."

[amanibhavam]

I'd gladly participate in any Tolkien discussion.


Amy

[Skyweir]

... happy to chat Tolkien as I am to chat SRD!!!

[danlo]

Does any1 know the exact origins of Gandalf--where does he come from? If he part elf? What exactly is his Order and where did it come from? Was Sauron his original mentor?

[Bannor]

Gandalf was one of the five Istari (The order of wizards). He and the others were sent to Middle Earth to fight Sauron. All of the wizards were of the Valinorean race. He and the others had great powers but were forbidden to use their full strength in direct conflicts. They were all sworn to the sevice of "the secret fire" (the Flame of Anor). Quite a man!

[amanibhavam]

yes, Gandalf was an istar; a maia named OLórin, the wisest of all maiar; and in this respect he was a match for Sauron who himself was a maia

[Hearthcoal]

Were all the Istari servants of the Flame of Anor or just Gandalf?

[Bannor]

The five wizards were all Servants of the Secret Fire, and they formed together to make an Order of Wizards. They were ranked by the color of their clothing: Saruman the White; Gandalf the Grey; Radagast the Brown; and (like early Gilligan's island) the rest.

[Hearthcoal]

I have heard the others were both Blue wizards. In some of his letters, Tolkien wrote that they had been sent to areas far south of the Shire. Sadly, they failed in their mission and cults rose up around them.

[Bannor]

I do remember one or both being "blue" and it is indeed sad if they failed and became part of a cult. Do you remember where you read that? (I take your word for it, just interested in reading about it.)

[Hearthcoal]

I'll dig it up. It's in the Letters (I have a copy on hand), and I believe there is a reference in Colin Duriez' book Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings.

There's a reference in letter #211, but JRRT says he doesn't know their colors.

According to Duriez, "Another two wizards are called the Ithryn Luin, the Blue Wizards in Unfinished Tales. Their names were Alatar and Palando."

I haven't read Unfinished Tales. I started to buy a copy, but I got confused over whether to get UT or The History of Middle Earth and just how many volumes were in each series.

[arwenavery]

ive just started reading the book of lost tales two and i have a few questions you guys might know the answers to .

in these tales tolkien introduces us to middle earth, but

in the tale of tinuviel there are dogs , of whom huan is the leader and cats , of whom tevildo is teh leader, they are strong and worthy but they are never mentioned in the lotr... i know not everyone can be mentiond but the only time i can remember a dog being mention is in the prancing pony ( im not even sure if there was!)

it seems strange that these animals are not around , and there is no mention of there absence . am i missing something very important ,or is it just one of those things??

[Bannor]

Perhaps, it never rained cats and dogs,and that would explain the lack of both! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) (Bannor hides on the One Tree Island in anticipation of revenge.)

[arwenavery]

[arwenavery]

weel bannor
you are truly of teh bloodgueard

has it not long been said that humour is the only thing which shall escape their grasp:):):)

[Gareth Yaztromo]

Here is a nice little article (which I think is the best on the web so far) that explains the other two wizards of the Istari Order:

www.magickalcauldron.com/EnergiesofMidd ... e_blue.htm

[Skyweir]

cool! many thanks gareth .. will go check it out!

[Lord Mhoram]

Yea, I read it, too. Pretty cool.