[Child of the 7th Age]

Shame, shame, Mithadan. The last time I encountered you in a game, you were a bona fide descendent of Beren.

Now you are an Uruk-hai. Things have indeed reached a low point in the Downs!

I fear they may go lower yet. I have sent the following missive of inquiry to Estelyn who graciously agreed to let my wizard Pettygast pop in and out on auspicious occasions. The text of my letter follows and will include a description of my character:

Estelyn,

It has recently come to my attention that there is a grievous error in the published corpus of Tolkien’s works that bears directly on the telling of The Revenge of the Entish Bow. As you are undoubtedly aware, UT makes reference to five maia sent to Middle-earth early in the Third Age. These individuals were members of the Heren Istarion “claiming to possess, and exhibiting, eminent knowledge of the history and nature of the World.

In my researches within the now defunct archives of Osgiliath (or at least we presumed they were defunct, until PJ came along!), I have uncovered proof of the existence of a sixth wizard. This chap, who goes by the common name of Pettygast, or the Green Wizard, dwelt among the Ents on one of the soggier portions of the Entwash Vale. He was deeply attached to that people (quite literally) and their ways, watching over them (or more likely under them) in the same manner as Mithrandir kept an eye on all those within the Shire.

The only extant manuscript which alludes to his presence was that of the twenty-third volume of the ancient Tree-herder’s Guide that spoke of a “wizard of extraordinary stature with a long green beard and long green moustaches which hung down on either side of it.” Closer inspection will reveal that he was far from clean. It was not that he had dirty fingernails, or anything like that, but some large bird seemed to have been nesting in his hair. And, indeed, this was true. For he possessed a great owl named Olli whom he kept tucked under his wizard’s cap.

The Guide states that Pettygast had a perpetually somber expression, much in the manner of an Ent, and mild blue eyes, which were very big and round under his granny glasses. Most extraordinary of all was his staff. He carried no dead wooden rod, or implement fashioned from crude iron. Rather he bore a living sapling, roots and all, with which he attempted to make magic in a quite extraordinary fashion.

Estelyn, at this point, you may be saying, that this dear wizard does have potential, despite his crude personal ways, and that it would indeed be a good thing to have someone along on a quest who could occasionally pop in with a bit of magic to set things right.

Now, I must be brutally honest. For I admit that Pettygast was a bit different from the other istari, not in terms of the purity of his heart, since he was indeed vigorous in the pursuit of the Shadow, but rather in terms of the effectiveness of his magic.

I see that you have asked all participants to exhibit great and unusual skills that would lead them to do extraordinary things. Pettygast certainly possessed amazing powers and the secrets of the ages such as the Maia were privileged to share at the discretion of their Valar masters. However, the poor fellow had one grievous fault, which is undoubtedly why his name has faded away from the annals of the wise. He was forgetful in the extreme and managed to get many of his spells and potions totally incorrect so that no one could accurately predict the outcome of his interventions. He did indeed do extraordinary things, but with sometimes disastrous results.

Still, people going on quests can’t be too picky, and a wizard is a wizard in all events, especially since the others of his order seem to be involved in their own business, and have no time to hunt down tree killers.

Indeed, Pettygast’s own schedule is quite crowded, and he is therefore unable to serve as a “regular” cast member. However, he could find his way clear for an occasional cameo appearance, should you find that useful. I would rely on your discretion in informing Pettygast when his particular skills are required, and he will indeed keep up with the story line. As a maia, Pettygast hopes you will give him the unflinching respect he deserves and only call upon him in those situations where all other options have failed. (And then, may God have mercy upon your soul!)

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Sharon, PhD. in Nonsense and Scholar Extraordinaire