Gandalf the Grey
Patron
Gandalf the Grey
At the end of the second week in September a cart came in through Bywater from the direction of the Brandywine Bridge in broad daylight. An old man was driving it all alone. He wore a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf.
To the Hobbits of the Shire, Gandalf the Grey is just a pilgrim, a wanderer without a home. He says he’s a Wizard, but the extent of his magical skill seems to be limited to his wonderful fireworks and to the prodigious smoke-rings he produces with his pipe. But the wanderings of Gandalf have brought him much farther than his beloved Shire, to lands where he is known by different names: to the Elves he is Mithrandir, Tharkûn is how the Dwarves know him, and Men in the South call him Gandalf Greyhame. In these countries, Gandalf is not always welcome — indeed, some call him a bringer of ill-news, as he often comes when a threat is near.
In truth, Gandalf is the greatest enemy of Sauron in the Third Age. Few among the Wise know that the Wizards first came to Middle-earth out of the Uttermost West almost two thousand years ago, on a mission to thwart the Dark Lord’s machinations. Gandalf's appointed task is to bolster the hearts of those who would fight against evil everywhere, and that’s what he has done for centuries now, counseling Dwarves, Elves, and Men, always bringing light where darkness lies.
Gandalf is the secret bearer of Narya, the Ring of Fire, the third Elven-ring created by Celebrimbor of Eregion. It was given to him for safekeeping and for his own use by Círdan the Shipwright. Narya is an invaluable aid to Gandalf in his mission to inspire others in their struggles against the Shadow. If pressed into combat, the Grey Pilgrim unsheaths Glamdring, an ancient Elven blade, forged in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars.
Gandalf the Grey: Adventurer, Wizard
Distinctive Features: Bold, Cunning, Wise
Encountering Gandalf
Gandalf can be encountered almost anywhere — riding across the countryside on horseback, walking alone or in the company of friends or allies, or even in the seat of a horse-drawn cart. He may not show up when called but often appears when needed. Gandalf holds a particular fondness for the Hobbits of the Shire and when he is meeting someone in Eriador, he will always choose the inn in Bree as a meeting place.
When encountered along the road, the Grey Wizard may appear just as an old man, with a long white beard and carrying a staff that he sometimes leans upon as he walks. But when he sits in council, his white hair and piercing dark eyes make him look like a wise king from some ancient legend.
Gandalf does not resort to using magic lightly, as he fears it would betray his presence to the eyes of the Enemy. When he does, he displays a mastery of fire and smoke, a reflection of his personality. Seemingly irascible, the old Wizard is also just as quick to burst into warm laughter. He might gently chide a friend, offer words of reassurance, then wax wroth at those who fail to show him due respect.
Gandalf as a Patron
Once, Círdan of the Havens said that the Grey Wanderer’s mission is to ‘rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill’. In accordance with this mandate, Gandalf labours to inspire all individuals into action, and set events in motion that will eventually spiral into greater consequences. The Quest of Erebor is an example of how Gandalf acts — helping Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim his lost kingdom led to the elimination of a Dragon that could have become a terrible weapon in the hands of the Enemy.
Unlike the head of his order, Saruman, who deals in devices and instruments from his high tower in Isengard, Gandalf moves among those who oppose Sauron, listening to their pleas and providing help when emergencies occur. This has made Gandalf welcome in most places, despite his reputation as a troublemaker.
A member of the White Council, Gandalf is the one among the Wise that is most likely to act promptly. While the others may counsel patience and caution, Gandalf moves decisively, putting himself in danger, infiltrating the lairs of the Enemy, and facing evil without hesitation. His goal is to lead the Free Peoples by example, encouraging them to set aside ancient rivalries and petty disputes, and to work together in defence of all that is good and worth keeping.
Fellowship Bonus: +2
Advantage: The Wisdom of the Grey Pilgrim
You can spend Fellowship points to make a Shadow Test Favoured.