Board Thread:Lore/@comment-25931200-20150501173444/@comment-26298013-20150502171939

Exactly, Thorin. Gandalf is, during the War of the Ring, a stronger spirit than Sauron will ever be again (And not just because Sauron loses the Ring). Sauron has expended much of his power, and needs the Ring to take physical form. Gandalf, however, is simply restrained by the Valar, forbidden to use his power to destroy Sauron or his armies. Gandalf has been sent as a counselor, just like all the Istari, sent by the Valar to advise the Free Peoples to rise against Sauron. That is why the Istari took the forms of old men, men who could only advise, not fight. Well, a normal old man couldn't fight at the apparent ages of the Istari.