The Five Wizards: Who Were the Istari of Middle-earth?

A lore-accurate deep dive into Tolkien's five Istari — Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and the two Blue Wizards Alatar and Pallando — sent by the Valar to contest Sauron without overawing the Free Peoples. We trace who chose each Maia, why only Gandalf completed his errand, and how Tolkien himself gave contradictory accounts of the Blue Wizards' names and fate. Expect careful tier-by-tier sourcing and honest flags wherever the texts disagree. Sources: The Lord of the Rings & Appendices (T1); The Silmarillion/Valaquenta (T2); Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, incl. Letter 211 (T3); Unfinished Tales 'The Istari', The Peoples of Middle-earth & The Nature of Middle-earth (T4). Independent fan channel; not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate, Middle-earth Enterprises, or Warner Bros. #Tolkien #Istari #BlueWizards #Gandalf #Saruman #MiddleEarth #Silmarillion #LOTRlore