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[[Category:Maiar]]

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Saruman, also known as Curunir, is an unseen character in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, acting as a minor antagonist. He is also mentioned in Middle-earth: Shadow of War.

Chief and greatest of the Order of Istari, Saruman was sent to Middle-earth by the Valar to help the Free Peoples counter Sauron's re-emergence. As he conferred with his allies in the White Council, the White Wizard began studying the works of the Dark Lord, to discern therein a means of withstanding him. But he fell from his errand, wanting to be the ruler of Middle-earth and have his own will to bring order by force.

When Marwen of Núrn sought his counsel, Saruman instead gave her an elixir - her use of it wore her out and she fell under his influence. Through both Marwen and spies, Saruman learned of affairs in Mordor from Isengard and watched the struggle between Sauron and Celebrimbor-Talion. He even endeavored to manipulate the "Gravewalker" for his own ends, but this attempt failed. The White Wizard was eventually ensnared by the Dark Lord, becoming one of his greatest servants.[1] While acting out his will against Free Folk, he also secretly plotted to usurp his new master's place as Lord of the Rings and of Middle-earth.

Background

Saruman was once one of the Maiar serving Aulë, from whom he learned much smithcraft. Even then, he was much like Sauron, being proud and vain and concerned with imposing order over the welfare of Middle-earth's inhabitants. In his younger days, Saruman was sent together with Gandalf, Radagast and the future Blue Wizards to protect the newly-awakened Elves from Morgoth.

Facing the advent of Sauron's re-emergence, Saruman was the first who volunteered to travel to Middle-earth as an emissary of the Valar. Joined by his old peers, he was recognized as the chief of their order, called the Istari, and his duty was to unite Elves and Men against Sauron. It was among Men that he was named Saruman, whereas the Elves called him Curunír. He also joined the White Council, a group of the Wise that conferred on how to withstand the Dark Lord. Soon enough, Saruman started resenting Gandalf, one of his kind who was far more beloved and trusted by the Free Peoples. He saw this as an attempt to undermine his authority and treated the Grey Pilgrim as a potential rival.

Through his researches into the lore of Middle-earth, the White Wizard studied the Dark Lord and his works, believing that in better understanding his nature he might discover a way to victory. It was then that the seeds of treachery and covetousness took rot: through his growing fascination with Sauron, Saruman fell into the folly of imitating him. Holding much knowledge of the making and effects of the Rings of Power, the White Wizard fancied that, if he could wield the One Ring, all would submit to him as the new Lord of the Rings and of Middle-earth. With the permission of the Steward of Minas Tirith, Saruman settled in the tower of Orthanc at Isengard, initially as its warden. His vow to help Gondor and Rohan masked his true goals: the establishment of his own seat of power and the discovery of a Seeing Stone, which he started using unbeknownst to the rest of the White Council.

While Gandalf actively worked against Sauron, Saruman used the Palantír of Orthanc and searched for the One Ring in the Anduin. The White Wizard also hindered the efforts of the Grey Pilgrim and set spies to watch and report back his movements. Saruman also opposed Gandalf's suggestions to confirm whether the "Necromancer" in Dol Guldur was indeed Sauron. The Wizard believed that the Dark Lord's potential presence inside the fortress might result in the return of the One Ring - which he would try to claim first. However, after Gandalf's capture by Sauron, Saruman consented to an attack upon the fortress of Dol Guldur, driving both the Enemy and the Nazgûl out. Feeling no longer bound to his mission, the White Wizard decided to "deal" with the Dark Lord, in his own way.

In the "Shadow of" Series

Though he mostly peered through his Palantír at Isengard, Saruman also had spies among Sauron's Uruks that kept him appraised of all affairs within Mordor. He made sure that his agents were not caught by the White Council, who were still oblivious to his treachery. The Dark Lord, however, was aware of them and did not ignore the White Wizard's spying: messenger crows were hunted by Hell-hawks and one of Saruman's informants found himself harassed by Morgai Flies (acting on Sauron's behalf).

At some point, Marwen sought out Saruman for his help, since the appearance of the Black Captains posed a threat to the Tribesmen of Núrn. It was during her travels to the Grey Mountains that the two met. Upon her return to Núrn, Marwen carried with her an elixir: this potion was an old device of Saruman that caused her not only to fall under his spell, but to wither and appear much older than she actually was. Further, the White Wizard's sway over the Queen was very strong, enough that he could possess her at will and influence her through visions. After word of the "Gravewalker" reached him, Saruman plotted to manipulate Celebrimbor and Talion for his own ends. Through his unwilling vessel, Marwen, he reached out to the pair, helping them build an army to challenge the forces commanded by the Black Hand of Sauron.

In a bid to obtain Celebrimbor’s hidden knowledge of Ring-making, and possibly discover the whereabouts of the One Ring, Saruman suddenly revealed himself and attempted to absorb Celebrimbor into Marwen's magical staff. Talion was stunned while Celebrimbor was ripped from his body, leading Marwen's daughter, Lithariel, to break the staff, freeing both Celebrimbor and Marwen from Saruman's control. As soon as the staff was broken, color returned to the Queen's hair and face, and she grew visibly younger. Marwen revealed Saruman's treachery and attempt to deceive Celebrimbor and Talion. It did not take the pair long to guess that the White Wizard's ambition was to supplant the Dark Lord as Lord of the Rings, of which there could only be one. 

Though Marwen was freed from his spell, Saruman continued to spy on both Sauron and Celebrimbor. Through his agents, he became aware of the forging of the New Ring and the conquest of Minas Ithil by the Nazgûl. Saruman's hoped that the conflict between Sauron and Celebrimbor would at the very least weaken both parties. However, the White Wizard was ultimately tempted by the Dark Lord himself and fell under his control, becoming one of his greatest servants.[1]

Post "Shadow of" Series

Saruman no longer opposed (and perhaps even desired) Sauron's victory. He turned Isengard into a fief and lesser copy of Mordor, then recruited the Orcs of the Misty Mountains and bred his own Uruk-hai. All this he achieved through teachings his new master was willing to share, as well as information he had obtained through his earlier spying of him. Sauron commanded Saruman to move against Théoden of Rohan and overrun the Rohirrim. Much like he did with Marwen years before, Saruman used poisons and sorcery to weaken Théoden; the King's condition even mirrored that of the Queen of the Shore. Although twisted into a valuable vassal, the White Wizard was far from a faithful servant of his new master. Saruman still wanted to acquire the Ring for himself and try use it to usurp Sauron's place; Saruman's fawning and feigned allegiance, however, would ensure he would have Sauron's favor in victory if his desperate gamble for the Ring failed. In truth, he was just as an instrument to be used and then discarded when he had outlived his purpose, for Sauron was well aware of Saruman's double-dealing.

The White Wizard's betrayal of the Free Peoples and defection to the service of the Dark Lord cost many lives, but in the end, he would end up walking the same ruinous path as his master to utter defeat.

Gallery

Saruman
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