gandalf.qmd

---
title: Wizard • pointy-hatted • pipe smoker
author: Gandalf the Grey
alsoknown: Olórin, Gandalf
nationality: Maia, bearer of Narya
age: Born before Arda was created
currentdate: fourth age
address: Valinor, Arda
mobile: flying moths
email: mithrandir@istari.me
skype: gandalf
website: "[lotr.wikia.com/wiki/gandalf](lotr.wikia.com/wiki/gandalf)"
resume: "[lotr.wikia.com/wiki/gandalf](lotr.wikia.com/wiki/gandalf)"
numpages: 2
colour: 606060
highlight: 8a1313
separator: staff.png
titlefont: Hobbiton Brushhand
mainfont: Minion 3
sansfont: Gill Sans Nova
monofont: Iosevka SS09 Light
itemsep: 12pt
editor: source
---

::: statement
*Sent by the Valar to combat the threat of Sauron upon Middle-Earth. Out of activity since the Third Age. A true wizard when it comes to fireworks, dragons and Balrogs, I also enjoy a good smoke. When things get too hot even for me, I know to delegate.*
:::

## Work experience

Fourth Age 
  ~ [Retired wizard]{.highlight} [Manwë's team, Valinor]{.institution}
  ~ Smoking and reminiscing about the great battles of the past
  ~ Hanging out with Bilbo and Frodo, Lady Galadriel, Elrond, and many elves

Third Age 
  ~ [grey, then white wizard]{.highlight} [policy adviser & guide, middle earth]{.institution}
  ~ Sent by the Valar to help Men and Elves in the fight against Sauron
  ~ Advised the rulers of Middle-Earth, often against their bad judgment
  ~ Collaborated with Elrond, Lady Galadriel, and Aragorn
  ~ Argued with a Balrog that they *shall not pass*
  ~ Sent back with a white cape to finish the job
  ~ Sent a Hobbit to steal a stone from a dragon and stir up 5 armies
  ~ Sent a Hobbit to melt a ring in a volcano
  ~ Awarded the title of Fellows of the Ring to 9 elves, hobbits, men and dwarves
  ~ Flew at the back of eagles

1st & 2nd Age 
  ~ [maia, istari]{.highlight} [manwë's assistant, valinor]{.institution}
  ~ Participated in the shaping of Middle-Earth
  ~ Helped building lamps, growing trees, teaching elves
  ~ Fighter against Morgoth and a giant spider

Before Ëa 
  ~ [spiritual, music enthusiast]{.highlight} [ilúvatar & co., out of this world]{.institution}
  ~ Participated in the music that shaped the universe (Ainur orchestra • duration: aeons)
  ~ Co-created all the riches in the world
  ~ Countered dissonant views with more harmonious music
  ~ Admired what might come to be

## Core competencies

Magic 
  ~ [expert in spells, fire and staff handling]{.highlight}
  ~ Organised fireworks for Bilbo's anniversary in the Shire
  ~ Fought a Balrog in the Moria
  ~ Broke Saruman's staff from a distance
  ~ Saved the day riding a white horse downhill

Comm' 
  ~ [broad experience with all languages of middle-earth]{.highlight}
  ~ Wise advice to all rulers --- men and women, dwarves, elves, hobbits, bear
  ~ Liaised with the ents to defeat Saruman's evil plans
  ~ Deciphered a pass phrase to enter Moria (with help from Frodo)
  ~ Interpreted invisible writings on a ring
  
## Acquired skills

Fighting 
  ~ [champion of good vs evil]{.highlight}
  ~ Sword-fighting with Glamdring
  ~ Staff-wielding --- breaking stone bridges before my feet, deterring a rogue wizard, bringing light to dark places
  ~ Occasional stabbing of orcs and goblins, burning of werewolves

Rhetoric 
  ~ [powerful orator]{.highlight}
  ~ Grew taller, darker, scarier when talking down a Hobbit inside his hole
  ~ Sneaked a weapon in Théoden's reception room pass the guards
  ~ Convinced Théoden to wake up from his torpor
  ~ Shut up a magical ball of fire / giant burning eye talking to people from a distance inside a dark ball
  ~ Snapped boss from ivory tower
  ~ Conversed with moths to call for eagles
  ~ Convinced Beorn to bear the company of dwarves for one night

Leadership 
  ~ [trusted and wise team builder]{.highlight}
  ~ Talked everyone, including hobbits, into highly-dangerous adventures
  ~ Summoned dwarves, men, hobbits and elves to meetings
  ~ Led teams through forests, grasslands, avalanche-ridden mountain tops
  ~ Organised the replacement of a bitter steward by the rightful king
  ~ Sent a hobbit up a tower to lit a long-distance call for help
  ~ Had a "nose" to choose the right path through the tunnels of Moria
  ~ Advised Frodo not to judge Smeagol hastily, indirectly saving the world later on

## Conferences

3021 
  ~ With Elrond, Galadriel, Frodo and Bilbo • *Grey Havens* [parting thoughts ]{.institution}

3019 
  ~ With Aragorn & armies • *Black Gate* [teethy negotiation]{.institution}
  ~ Encounter with a balrog • *Moria* [deep argument]{.institution}
  ~ Assembly of a Fellowship (dwarves, elves, humans) • *Rivendell* [convenor]{.institution}
  ~ Venom-and-stick moves • *Rohan* [persuader]{.institution}

3017 
  ~ Counsel-seeking from Saruman • *Orthanc tower* [wizardry]{.institution}

2949 
  ~ Visit of Bilbo with Balin • *Shire* [talk & smoke]{.institution}

## Hobbies

[map]{.smallimg} 
  ~ I am passionately curious about the Middle-Earth cultures and life-forms, and keen to connect with all. I enjoy travelling, conversing in foreign languages, catching up with old friends unannounced, plotting surprise parties and adventures.

[smoking]{.smallimg} 
  ~ I am an avid pipe smoker, a hobby I took up years ago with my hobbit friends in the Shire. Thanks to my wizardry, I am able to shape the smoke into any form conceivable, sailing boats for example. My favourite leaf is the Southern Star, grown around Bree.

[△]{.decoration}