Istari: Gandalf refers to the 'White Council', an order of which he is a member. At other times, he mentions that he is an Istari. In all of Tolkien's popular literature, these immortal 'beings' are never explained. However, in an essay written in 1954, Tolkien wrote: "The first to come was one of noble mien and bearing, with raven hair, and a fair voice, and he was clad in white; great skill he had in works of hand, and he was regarded by well-nigh all, even by the [High Elves], as the head of the Order. Others there were also: two clad in sea-blue, and one in earthen brown; and last came one who seemed the least, less tall than the others, and in looks more aged, grey-haired and grey-clad, and leaning on a staff." (Mien = air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality) The first mentioned is Saruman the White. Although never mentioned in Lord of the Rings, the two clad in sea-blue were Blue Wizards of the East, and of the South. The one in earthen brown, Radagast the Brown, features briefly in the books. And the aged wizard is Gandalf the Grey. Istari are beings sent to Middle-Earth by the Valar (gods) to unite and counsel the Free Peoples in their struggle against Sauron. They are forbidden to dominate the people of Middle-earth or to match Sauron's power with their own. Although they appear as elderly men, they are quite vigorous and age very slowly.   Gandalf: Gandalf plays one of the strongest roles during the trilogy. It is he who identifies Frodo's ring for its true nature, and leads the quest for much of the story. Although he falls during the passage of Moria, he returns stronger than ever. Gandalf the White provides counsel during the final days, and his greatest work is completed by the downfall of Sauron...   Saruman: The leader of the White Council, and the highest of the Istari, Saruman was considered to be very wise. However, his mind was ensnared by the very evil he was supposed to be against, and his lust for the ring caused his eventual downfall. Breeding an army of Uruk-hai warriors, Saruman wages war on his closest neighbour, Rohan. Once beaten, Saruman is thrown from the Council for attempting to dominate the people he was supposed to be leading.   Radagast: Of all the Istari, Radagast has the most affinity with nature. He plays a brief role in the book, as a messenger used by Saruman to entice Gandalf into his trap. However, he is not portrayed in the films.   Blue Wizards: Although it does not have any bearing to the books, Tolkien describes Saruman going into the East with the two blue wizards. Of the two, neither returned. Either they continued to purse the purpose with which they went, or perished, it is not known. However, the lord of the Nazgul ‘The Witch King,’ is said to have something to do with the order. It might be concluded therefore that Sauron captured as least one of them.