Olórin is a Maia and a student of Nienna, learning pity, patience, and generosity from her. He travels to Middle-earth in the third age as a wizard and takes the names Gandalf and Mithrandir. His role there is to spread hope and wisdom among the Children of Ilúvatar and to help them overcome Sauron. He sits on the White Council and monitors Sauron while he’s in Mirkwood, urging the Council to drive him out before he becomes too powerful. Though Galadriel wants him to lead the Council rather than Saruman, Gandalf refuses, unwilling to have allegiance to anyone but the Valar. He’s the bearer of the elven ring Narya—given to him by Círdan—and the first to discover the whereabouts of the One Ring among the Halflings. It’s primarily due to his planning that the One Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated.