Who were the Blue Wizards? - Lord of the Rings Lore

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

What do you think happened to the Blues? Thanks to Teleperónwë MC, TheCapitaineMax, Domenic Minniti, John Smith, Forrest Johnson, Lucas Devick, Paradox, Observer, Otto Sol, Samuel-A001 and Gabriel Yalap for their support! I very much appreciate the support who goes directly into funding my artists! Consider supporting me here: www.patreon.com/join/LOME

[@TherealSBlair]

They went to Chicago and saved an orphanage.

[@LeHobbitFan]

A fascinating subject to be sure... I'd love to see a story set in the far eastern lands of Middle-Earth, dealing with unknown human civilisations, their connection with other Dwarven clans or Dark Elves, as well as their dealings with Sauron and the Blue Wizards.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

The upcoming Amazon Prime Series might delve into this. There are rumours of "Blue Mages". Would be very cool!

[@TheMasonK]

Yes there’s so much prime can do with this world without breaking canon. There’s 4 clans of dwarves in the East and the red mountains to be explored, the Avari elves (those who remained in the East in the first age), not to mention the Easterlings where we only know of a few rulers (not 100% sure) one of which being Khamul the second leading nazgul. I’d love for them to give backgrounds to many of the unnamed nazgul as well! Not to mention there’s the dark lands and the land of the sun which are extremely untouched.

[@LeHobbitFan]

@@TheMasonK a Khamul backstory could be awesome! I really hope Amazon focuses on these types of elements, that don't interfere with the main continuity... Maybe just a fool's hope, but I just want to see new characters, places, names... so we don't take any of the continuity-breaking risks that prequels tend to take

[@TheMasonK]

@@LeHobbitFan exactly! One of the saddest things was that Tolkien died before he could truly finish the world he built but this could be a blessing in disguise as many of the things that are left opened/unfinished can be filled with brand new stories. If Amazon can truly pull this off, it will be the greatest pieces of art in the history of man. 100 years in the making.

[@LeHobbitFan]

@@TheMasonK Fingers crossed... I honestly have no high hopes for it, but there's an enormous potential for amazing storytelling there. Let's hope for the best! 🤞

[@denniscleary7580]

I always wondered myself what happened to them, perhaps Amazon can explore more with their story. I also always figured that Sarumon must have had dealings with them due to him having the black powder which I figured comes from the Far East. Keep up the great work 👍

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Agreed! I really think Amazon can dive into this, it is indeed rumored that "Blue Mages" will appear. We dont know where the "devilry of Orthanc" derives from. Its likely that it stems from Saruman himself, who in similarity with Sauron was pupils under Aulë. But the East theory is also cool Dennis!

[@blackmetalnazgul4519]

I literally clicked the video the moment I got the notification, and while eating second breakfast. 😜👍

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Epic my friend! Enjoy second breakfast and this video!

[@eacalvert]

I'm getting ready for second dinner/snack

[@Eudaimonist]

I had given some thought to the fate of the Blue Wizards for a fanfic story that I had never written. I figured that that they had, at first, come to Middle-earth as friends. They would travel far and wide, on foot and by ship, exploring Middle-earth far into the South and the East, even reaching the distant Eastern shores beyond which there was a vast and impassable ocean. Their knowledge of Middle-earth they would share with Saruman, believing him to be good. They would keep an eye out for the possibility of Sauron's return in the East, and they would,eventually become estranged over a difference of strategies for keeping the East from uniting as an evil force and threatening the West once Sauron exerted his will and tempted men and dwarves with gifts to join his cause and achieve wealth and glory. However, even though one wizard focused on helping the good peoples of the East to remain true to the Valar, and the other had seemed almost to join the evil factions to trick them into fighting and weakening each other, they both fulfilled the will of the Valar and weakened the East just enough to keep Sauron from winning the War of the Ring.

[@KTChamberlain]

I know I said this before on another video, but I like to think the Blue Wizards went on to appear in Disney films: Alatar became Yensid in Fantasia (1940) and Pallando became Merlin in Sword in the Stone (1963). If Disney owned the film rights to Middle-earth the Kingdom Hearts games would have had a blast connecting the two, especially since KH2 had Christopher Lee voicing Diz. On another note: Gandalf the Grey Wizard had a blue pointy hat, so does that mean the Blue Wizards wear orange hats? I mean Saruman adopted an amazing Technicolor dreamcoat when he became Saruman the Many Colored, saying, "When you break the white light, you see the many colors in it."

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Lol the Orange wizards! The Gucci wizards!

[@hydradominatus3641]

My head canon goes into overdrive whenever I ponder The Blue Wizards. I would write something down but I can never pin down a story without it getting replaced by something different.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Yeah, its confusing! The easy way; they first failed, then they succeeded.

[@hydradominatus3641]

@@LoreOfTheRingsYT It's truly maddening.

[@Chardaloupas]

That was great. You gave me lot of information. Keep up the good work!

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@pshah4317]

Hi, I really liked the map of the East and South of Middle Earth that you display starting at 3:33, where did you get this map?

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

I am glad you like it! I actually created it myself specifically for my videos. It will appear in future videos :)

[@pshah4317]

@@LoreOfTheRingsYT I'm even more impressed now that I know you created it yourself, what software did you happen to use? Also, would you happen to have a link to the full image? As if possible, I'd like to set this to be my wallpaper.

[@silmarilion2667]

I honestly have to imagine at least 1 of them succeeded in the mission. If the east and south are that vast with so many people, for sure sauron would have won. Plus, with so many people, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that at least a sizeable number were against sauron and his god-king status

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Agreed. They were vast areas!

[@jamesaron1967]

What happened to the Blues? Well, one possibility is the unknown plot of the New Shadow...

[@mos4396]

Great as always

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Thank you Taylor :D

[@quaffdowngin]

Yet another great video!

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Thanks again!

[@shanenolan8252]

Well done , enjoyed that thanks

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Glad to hear it!

[@purplespeckledappleeater8738]

Two wizards working side-by-side and they kind-sorta-maybe failed/succeeded/they did something according to Tolkien. This might be the biggest mystery because of course we want to know what happened.

[@seanmacdonald3663]

Rumor has it they will be included in the Amazon 2nd age TV series, which promised to got to the “furthest reaches of the map”. It would be interesting to see how they approach it.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Agreed. "Blue Mages" are the last rumours. Cant wait to see what they have in store for them.

[@qwertyTRiG]

This is the first time I've heard that there were more than five istari.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Yeah, its not really known anything about the others. A single line is all we have!

[@damalman8223]

There's a line saying of the 5 sent only 1 returned (gandalf)

[@aliceofspades]

Optimist that I am, I prefer the later version of their story, in which they aided and encouraged the eastern peoples to defy Sauron. I like to think that there were still many in the East who refused to serve Sauron. :)

[@marckrieger3277]

There are so many mysterys of middlearth, not solved or barley touched in the books some times in lettters/notes from tollkien, it adds to this rich world i love it. I allways loved the idea that they stayed true to their mission to the end they bind lots of evil forces in the east and ensured the victory of the people of the west but no one knew about it. I immagined them not surived the war of the rings, beeing slayen in a blaze of glory. Well they were maya so not dead more like returning into valinor with honor. I espcacially love the idea that they arrived in middle earth in the second age with glorfindel (an other great caracter we knew to little). That would let the chance open we could see them in the amazon series and what cool is darknessslayer am i right?

[@istari0]

My head canon that they succeeded in weakening Sauron's hold on the peoples of the East but at some point in the 3rd age Sauron caught up to them and they were "killed."

[@al137]

How dope would it be to get a Shadow of War style game set in the east? Where you participate in the resistance often being aided and guided by the blue wizards.

[@dodgykingdom7502]

Definitely one of the more mysterious topics my guess on it is that when they went to the east and south they started there mission and succeeded but as time went on, they had no influence of things that are good in middle earth. They soon found themselves being praised an worshipped by the some of the men of the east and south. I agree with Tolkien they would have created cults of magic to teach to their followers.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Cool perspective Dodgy. I also like that version!

[@StevenLolli]

I prefer the final version stated where they formed their own strongholds to the far east and kept those peoples from being more powerful allies of Sauron

[@jeffhallam2004]

Great video! Brother you should do voice acting! You have a fantastic voice and accent! 👍

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Thank you Jeff! Such words are awesome :D

[@jeffhallam2004]

@@LoreOfTheRingsYT much love and respect! You’re an artist extraordinaire

[@sethbird4859]

I choose to believe that the blue wizards were awesome and kicked ass in the east, and that Sauron came back to the west because he could handle the blue wizard beat-down

[@Eudaimonist]

Where does the map used in this video come from?

[@brianmorris4446]

You said their names with such gusto

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

What's gusto

[@brianmorris4446]

@@LoreOfTheRingsYT passion or enthusiasm. I could hear in your voice that you enjoy making these videos.

[@raydavison4288]

I will speculate that the "Blue" wizards allied with the good dwarves in the East, the Avari elves who hadn't been ensnared by Sauron, and the free men of the East to undermine the dark lord's grip. Later, they led most of the Avari over the mountains and entered Aman from that direction. That's why Tolkien was unaware of their fate.

[@jasonyoung7705]

The bigger question is, why send 5 Maia as old men? Why not just sent Tulkas to kick Sauron's teeth in, then dump him in the void?

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

This my friend, is a topic for next week :)

[@jamesaron1967]

The Valar only directly interfered against an enemy with power of commensurate strength. They sent the Istari to undermine Sauron because they were also Maiar.

[@jasonyoung7705]

@@jamesaron1967 But mainly because it would be a very short story.

[@jamesaron1967]

@@jasonyoung7705 True, but that would only be deliberated upon in the mind of the author. For the rest of us mere mortal readers and scholars, the aforementioned explanation should suffice.

[@jasonyoung7705]

@@jamesaron1967 Sadly, it does not suffice. "Ignore the plot hole", "why?", "just shut up and pretend to be humble".

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks my friend

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Thanks as always mellon!

[@zachiboi5253]

I'd like to believe that the Blue Wizard's were somewhat successful in their mission. Rhun was without a doubt a great threat to both Gondor, Rohan and the North. If I had written the story of the wizards, I'd imagine how the Blue Wizard's raised rebellion against Sauron in both Far Harad and in Rhun. If we look at the books we see how Sauron was able to call on large numbers of Easterlings and Southrons but not their full might (keyword: full) we see how perhaps there could have been skirmishes or even full on battles between Sauron's Empire and the Rebels (almost like Star Wars) But with all their accomplishments, I don't think the Blue Wizard's would have still comleted their mission. We need to remember the Blue Wizards were of the people of Orome, who in of himself was a great enemy to Morgoth, I wouldnt think that servants of Orome would ally themselves with a servant of Morgoth. Sauron would have thought the same, in fact he would have percieved the Blue Wizards as much of a threat as Gandalf, and because they served Orome (whom Melkor actually feared) Sauron would have also. To sum it all up, Sauron could have called on Harad and Rhun's full power had it not been for the Blue Wizard's stirring rebellion and due to the Blue Wizard's being a great threat to Sauron himself, I doubt Sauron would have let them go unchallenged, he would have sent someone to hunt them down. Considering the Blue Wizards never actually left Middle Earth, Sauron at some point may have captured or even killed them. Despite them being a potential ally, Sauron wouldn't have taken the risk of having someone so powerful in his ranks who could betray him.

[@antondovydaitis2261]

This May, I will be starting a Burning Wheel Campaign based on the struggles of the Blue Wizards, who stir conflict in South Eastern Middle Earth to keep Sauron from unifying there. I am basing the area on roughly Tenth Century Khmer Empire.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Sounds epic!

[@jamesaron1967]

The Khmer Empire was crazy. Very under-researched by history buffs, IMO.

[@antondovydaitis2261]

@@jamesaron1967 Yeah, the perfect background for competing cults.

[@tehwatcherintehwater2022]

The Blue Wizards were the most like the Valar of all the Istari because they are such a non-influence that they might as well not exist.

[@Draegn]

If you decide to go with they went into the east with Saruman, perhaps Saruman imprisoned them there. And so they remain for all ages until someone sets them free.

[@beyondthecamera333]

I wish Tolkien was immortal. I would have loved to see these guy’s fleshed out, but morality is a bitch I suppose.

[@NOIDEAIWILLJUSTUSEHAILEYIGUESS]

I feel as though the Blue Wizards, having both failed their mission, yet succeeding in hindering the worship of sauron, wouldn't have been working for sauron. I dont think they are the type of people to be corrupted with leadership, as they are Hunters of Orome, and would take more pleasure in journeying the lands and meeting people, than setting up a residence like Radagast and Saruman. They cared far more about the journey and adventure itself, also maybe even using their true powers in a friendly sparring match to make sure they aren't too out of practice.

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

You touch upon a very interesting aspect: what abilities did they hold that made them chosen for the mission? Fighting in itself was not something the istari would perform, but perhaps they could teach good men the art of war?

[@mszalans4817]

@@LoreOfTheRingsYT "Whatever comes out of that wood, you will not yield" :D

[@knight0fren551]

Second age They Arrived its Officially Cannon

[@joestarlol]

Considering Gandalf is a maiar, the witch king should be no match compared to him right?

[@LoreOfTheRingsYT]

Well, during the Siege of Gondor, the Witchh-King was partly given some of Sauron's power. But yes, Gandalf the grey managed to hold off many Nazgûl simultaneously at Weathertop, Gandalf the White would no doubt have been able to treat with the WK

[@meduseldtales3383]

The Canon is that Blue Wizards arrived around 1000 Third Age. The suggestion that they arrived in Second Age is simply a mistake caused by old age. Period.

[@mszalans4817]

That still gives them 2000 years of time. Pretty much if you ask me.

[@meduseldtales3383]

@@mszalans4817 Quite enough. I don't know why the idea of Blue Wizards in Second age has become so popular recently. I guess people just want to see wizards in the Amazon LotR series.

[@mszalans4817]

@@meduseldtales3383 I think because of the mystery. Who killed JFK? Are there aliens? Where did the blue wizards go? These are things that people think of :) Still, one could argue that including them in SA is actually canon, because it comes up to which Tolkien statement you consider canon. I personally have nothing against that idea, but think that there are many less dubious and equally interesting stories that should be included first.

[@meduseldtales3383]

@@mszalans4817 The reason why it's not canon is that the published LotR puts their arrival in the Third Age. Tolkien was always very reluctant to make any changes that contradicted any published writing (The Hobbit being only real exception), and most people interested in questions of canon follow the principle that any writings published by JRR Tolkien are the primary canon. Furthermore, the bit about Second Age is really only few sentences, whereas there are entire essays contradicting it, with statements like "they (Istari) belonged solely to the Third Age"(UT), and descriptions of the meeting where Valar select the five Maiar who were to go.

[@jamesaron1967]

@@meduseldtales3383 Yes, it's Amazon series wishful thinking combined with retconing by the fans.

[@nikk.1729]

I wanted to watch this, but your affected "r" trill drives me insane. :(

[@YourOldUncleNoongah]

whats the bet they make the blue wizards a GAY couple in the amazon show?