The true Istari

[skip spence]

Great that you brought up those quotes. I don't have the English originals with me, only translated versions.

Originally Posted by Boromir88

skip spence, while you do bring up a good instance where Gandalf does use his staff to perform his tricks, I see it the same way as Eomer. Yes, Gandalf does use his staff, but there are several instances, where Gandalf performs magic without using his staff.

His staff breaks on the Bridge of Khazad-dum, and he still has an epic battle (that lasted for days) against Balrog, fought in the "deepest places" to the "highest peak." Also, in ROTK when Gandalf rides out to rescue the men retreating from the Rammas Echor, a white light shines out, not from Gandalf's staff, but from his hand.

Just for the sake of the argument, as I remember it, he does use his staff to raise the bridge and that's when it breaks. Perhaps the power he channelled through it in desperation was too strong? When he fights the balrog he uses his sword.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

About Saruman's decrease in power, I think that had more to do with his military defeat and his enemies' seeing him for what he really was.

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

About Saruman's decrease in power, I think that had more to do with his military defeat and his enemies' seeing him for what he really was.

That's a fair enough comment. We have never read anything about Sauruman actually performing any powerful magic tricks. Gandalf often did, but then he also possessed the ring of fire, a very powerful artefact.