The order of five Istari or Wizards selected by the Valar as their emissaries, and sent eastward across the Great Sea to Middle-earth after a thousand years of the Third Age had passed. Their leader became known as Curunír, or Saruman, and also among the order were the beings known to Men as Gandalf and Radagast. The other two Wizards - known together as the Ithryn Luin or Blue Wizards - journeyed into the distant eastern lands of Middle-earth and did not return.
Alatar the Blue
One of the two little-known Blue Wizards, who travelled into the far east of Middle-earth with Saruman and Pallando. While Saruman later returned to the Westlands, Alatar and Pallando both remained in the east. Their fates remain a mystery.
Gandalf the Grey
When he arrived in Middle-earth, Círdan immediately recognised Gandalf's great wisdom, and granted him the Ring Narya to aid him in his work. Throughout the centuries that followed, Gandalf travelled widely through Middle-earth (his Elvish name was Mithrandir, 'Grey Wanderer').
Pallando the Blue
Said to be the last of the Five Wizards selected by the Valar, Pallando had been a friend of Alatar in Valinor, and accompanied him across the Sea to Middle-earth. Once there, the two remained together, and even shared the same colour, becoming known as the Blue Wizards. They journeyed into unknown eastern lands with Saruman, but while Saruman eventually returned, the two friends never came back to the western lands of Middle-earth.
Radagast the Brown
Radgast was a friend of all living things, especially the birds. Though he was in principle an ally of Gandalf in the fight against Sauron, in practice he preferred to avoid involvement with Elves or Men. He settled on the southern fringes of Mirkwood at a place named Rhosgobel.
Saruman the White
The first of the Five Wizards to appear in Middle-earth, and acknowledged as the leader of their Order. After his arrival he explored the lands of Middle-earth and voyaged into the distant East with the Blue Wizards, but he finally settled in the Tower of Orthanc (originally an outpost of Gondor, granted to him by Steward Beren). Saruman was fascinated by lore and arcane knowledge, and especially the secrets behind the Rings of Power.
