FAQ: Which race is Gandalf?

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​FAQ: Which race is Gandalf?​

​By ​​Drevnibor​

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​In layman's terms - Gandalf is an ​​angel​​ in the form of a human, sent by the gods to help people. ​
​He is of the same 'race' as Sauron, Balrogs, and the other Wizards. ​

​As for the in-universe explanation, here's a brief history: ​
​- There exists a supreme being, called Eru. ​
​- He created divine beings, called the Ainur. ​
​- They are separated into two groups: the more powerful are called the Valar (basically gods), while the others are called the ​​Maiar​​ (basically angels). ​
​- Valar are 15 in number, while the Maiar are many. ​
​- Eru and the Ainur created the Earth, for the (then not yet created) Elves and Men to live and enjoy. ​
​- However, one Valar (Morgoth) turned to evil, and triggered a series of events that would bring countless wars in the thousands years to come. ​
​- After he was defeated by the Valar, his lieutenant, Sauron (one of the fallen Maiar), became the main bad guy of Tolkien's world. ​
​- That is why, years, and years, and years later, the Valar decided to help the inhabitants of Middle-earth against Sauron, by sending them some of their own Maiar, five of them to be exact. ​
​- One of those Maiar was ​​Gandalf​​. ​
​- Because of their immortality and magical prowes, Men and Hobbits started calling them ​​Wizards​​.​

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​Here's a fun fact: ​

​People constantly say that the Eagles are a ​​Deus ex machina​​ of Tolkien's books/film adaptations, with their only purpose being to save the day when the plot needs to. 🐦 ​
​However, Gandalf's resurrection is, in my opinion, a better example of that trope. ​

​When he fought the Balrog (in ​​Fellowship of the Ring​​), his mortal body was destroyed, and his spirit returned from whence it came. 👻 ​
​The Valar (gods who sent him) were unable to resurrect him, which meant that the number of Wizards who failed their task was 5/5. ​
​However, it was Eru (the Creator God mentioned above) who brought him back to life. ​
​It was a pretty big deal, concidering the fact that Eru rarely intervenes in the physical world, at least in such a direct way (and when he ​​does ​​intervene, it's mostly connected to the world-shattering events). 🌋 ​

​So, that's the literal ​​Deus​​ in the term Deus ex Machina.​