Saruman

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Saruman (萨鲁曼)
Alias(es)	Saruman the White; Saruman of Many Colors; Ring-maker Saruman
Species/Race	Istari (Wizard); Maiar
Gender	Male
Affiliation	White Council; Isengard; later commander of his own Orc and Brown Lands forces
Occupation/Role	Wizard; leader of the White Council; ruler of Isengard; researcher and Ring-maker
Status	Survived captivity by the Ringwraiths; later rejoined the struggle against Sauron
First Appearance	57

Background / History

Saruman initially serves the Free Peoples as a member and eventual leader of the White Council. His rivalry with Gandalf is already apparent: he is arrogant, jealous of Gandalf’s standing, and repeatedly opposes Gandalf’s warnings about Dol Guldur despite evidence of Nazgûl activity. At this stage, however, he remains an ally. 57 182

His resentment is rooted in Gandalf receiving recognition that Saruman believes should have been his. Círdan entrusted Gandalf with the Ring of Fire, and Galadriel had proposed Gandalf as leader of the White Council; Saruman instead sought the leadership position himself to prove his own superiority. 182

From Orthanc, Saruman accumulates knowledge, maintains a vast library, and secretly uses the Orthanc Palantír to monitor events and Gandalf’s movements. His secrecy, frequent dispatch of servants, and isolation within the upper levels of Orthanc gradually draw Gandalf’s suspicion. 120 125

Appearance

Saruman is an elderly man with a stern, authoritative bearing, sharp eyes, and a black staff. He is first known for white robes, though he later adopts shifting multicolored robes.

• White-robed Wizard during his early rule of Isengard. 126 282
• Carries a sturdy jet-black staff, sometimes described as spiked. 126
• After forging the Star Ring, dyes his robes in countless shimmering colors and calls himself Saruman of Many Colors. 328
• Following his defeat and captivity, his robe appears faded, greyish, and mottled rather than white. 375 383

Personality

Saruman is exceptionally proud, acquisitive, and jealous of Gandalf. He publicly dismisses Gandalf yet secretly studies his actions, particularly Gandalf’s interest in the Shire, because he fears missing knowledge or power that Gandalf possesses. 57 320

He values knowledge intensely, but treats it as leverage. He grants Li Wei access to Orthanc’s library only after receiving a Golden Apple, eagerly investigates the Free City-States’ history, and pursues research into the Beacon, Rings of Power, and stronger Orc breeds. 125 126 282 321

Despite his harshness, Saruman occasionally shows restraint and practical concern. He warns Li Wei against the Palantír, has a servant watch Li Wei in the library so he does not die in Orthanc, and later warns Gandalf that Isengard’s captured army will attack Rohan. 126 127 375

Abilities & Skills

Wizardry

Saruman is regarded as the most powerful of the Wizards in direct magical authority during his time as the White Wizard. Within Orthanc, he can unleash immense pressure and destructive magic. 271

• Generates force powerful enough to scatter objects throughout Orthanc’s hall. 271
• Uses fireballs, flames, telekinetic force, and magical barriers in combat. 271
• His voice can issue magically weighted commands such as “Fall back,” “Rise,” and “Begone.” 271
• Can repel hundreds of Nine Hells Flame Bats with a single shouted command. 271
• His power is substantially enhanced when operating within Orthanc. 271

Voice of Persuasion

Saruman’s speech carries enchantment that can influence listeners and distort their judgment. Gandalf compares its effect to a dragon’s bewitching power. 124

• Can make listeners feel convinced by his words. 124
• Can affect even Orcs and has influenced other Wizards’ methods; Alatar learned similar heart-bewitching magic from him. 124 181
• Its effectiveness is reduced against individuals with exceptional willpower, such as Li Wei. 262 271

Lore and Research

Saruman possesses extensive scholarly knowledge and keeps one of Middle-earth’s greatest collections of books in Orthanc. 125 126

• Studies magic, ancient history, elemental research, and Ring-making lore. 127 320
• Obtains secret Noldorin material from Eregion concerning the forging of Rings of Power. 320
• Conducts long-term research into the Beacon and its origin. 282 321
• Exploits the Ents’ ancient knowledge while offering them no recompense. 284

The Star Ring

Saruman forges the Star Ring, a Ring of Power stronger than the Three Elven Rings but inferior to the One Ring. 328

• Enhances strength, speed, agility, durability, and recovery from near-fatal injury. 328
• Allows Saruman to place the White Hand mark on Orcs, enforcing their absolute loyalty. 328
• Enables the formation of an Orc army intended to challenge Sauron. 328 346
• Is secretly discarded when Saruman is captured by the Ringwraiths; Li Wei later recovers it and gives it to Gandalf. 348 353

Orc Breeding and War Preparations

Saruman creates underground facilities beneath Isengard to breed and magically alter Orcs and Goblins into stronger Uruks. 320

• Uses breeding, hybridization, and magic to improve Orc stock. 320
• Forces Orcs and Goblins into dangerous experiments. 320
• Establishes a force of at least ten thousand tall, strong Orcs marked with the White Hand. 346
• Also recruits Orcs and Men of the Brown Lands by offering protection and support for incursions into Rohan. 269

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Black staff — Saruman’s primary focus for combat magic and commanding voice-based spells. 126 271
• Orthanc Palantír — Used for surveillance and intelligence gathering; its contact with Sauron contributes to Saruman’s corruption before Li Wei takes custody of it. 125 328 329
• Star Ring — Saruman’s personally forged Ring of Power; later recovered after his capture. 328 348 353
• Orthanc library and laboratory — His principal repositories for magical, historical, and elemental research. 125 127

Relationships

• Gandalf — Fellow Wizard and long-standing rival. Saruman envies, mocks, and distrusts Gandalf, but Gandalf repeatedly tries to warn and help him. Their conflict ends with Saruman imprisoning Gandalf in Orthanc. 57 182 328 347
• Li Wei — Hostile associate and recurring adversary. Li Wei exposes Saruman’s secrets, defeats him in Orthanc, takes the Palantír, and later helps recover the Star Ring. 262 271 329 353
• Sauron — Saruman seeks power to oppose and surpass him, but is corrupted after confronting Sauron through the Palantír and is eventually captured by Sauron’s Ringwraiths. 328 348
• Treebeard — Saruman exploits the Ents’ knowledge and plans to destroy their forest, then later attempts to justify himself to Treebeard after Isengard falls. 284 383
• Orcs and Uruks of Isengard — Saruman’s subjects, experimental material, and army. He initially despises them, then uses the Star Ring’s White Hand mark to ensure their loyalty. 269 320 328
• Men of the Brown Lands — Allies used to pressure Rohan; Saruman permits and supports their border incursions in exchange for service. 269
• Alatar — A Blue Wizard who learned heart-bewitching magic from Saruman. 181

Story Role / Major Arcs

White Council and Early Suspicion

Saruman participates in the White Council’s debate over the Necromancer of Dol Guldur. He opposes Gandalf’s call for action, dismisses the Morgul-blade evidence, and is isolated when Galadriel, Elrond, and Li Wei support Gandalf’s position. 57

Gandalf later notices Saruman’s secretive behavior in Orthanc: servants bring concealed materials to the tower, and Saruman shuts himself away from visitors. 120

Orthanc Research and Conflict with Li Wei

Li Wei visits Orthanc to access Saruman’s books, offering a Golden Apple in exchange. Saruman reluctantly cooperates, then permits Li Wei to use the Palantír despite privately hoping he will fail. 125 126

Saruman obtains Eärendil’s Star but refuses to surrender it when Li Wei demands it. The confrontation turns physical, leaving Saruman injured and humiliated. 262

After Saruman dispatches spies against Roadside Fortress and the Free City-States, Li Wei attacks Orthanc and defeats him. Saruman agrees to halt his espionage and threats. 271

Saruman of Many Colors

Saruman recruits Orcs and Brown Lands Men, strengthens Isengard’s defenses, stockpiles supplies, and develops an army beyond the Free Peoples’ oversight. 269 309

Obsessed with surpassing Gandalf, Li Wei, and Sauron, he breeds enhanced Orcs, studies Ring-making, forges the Star Ring, and marks his soldiers with the White Hand. He adopts the title Saruman of Many Colors. 320 328

His use of the Palantír brings him into direct contact with Sauron’s will. Though he briefly tries to seek help from Gandalf, his pride prevents him from asking, and he succumbs further to darkness. 328

Betrayal, Capture, and Loss of Isengard

When Gandalf discovers Saruman’s army of marked Orcs, Saruman claims he is merely using the Enemy’s methods against Sauron. Gandalf rejects this justification, and Saruman imprisons him after defeating him in a magical duel. 346 347

Ringwraiths assault Orthanc. Saruman initially fights alongside Gandalf, then betrays him and sends him from the tower. The Ringwraiths overwhelm Orthanc and take Saruman captive; before leaving, he secretly drops the Star Ring. 348

Gandalf later rescues Saruman from the shadows and becomes the new White Wizard, while Saruman loses his qualification to lead as the White Robe. 373

Saruman’s Uruk army attacks Rohan but is defeated at Helm’s Deep. After Isengard is recaptured, Saruman returns and attempts to explain his actions to Treebeard. 383

Trivia

• Saruman is fascinated by Li Wei’s Golden Apple and immediately accepts it as payment for library access. 126
• He dislikes dragons and attempts to drive Little Pink away with his staff during his visit to Roadside Fortress. 282
• He is a pipe-weed smoker and keeps stores of Long Valley Leaf, food, tobacco, and beer in Isengard. 320 383
• Saruman’s obsession with the Shire begins because Gandalf visits it frequently, not because Saruman initially sees any value in Hobbits. 320