<P> They came to Middle - earth around the year 1000 of the Third Age, when the forest of' Greenwood the Great' fell under shadow and became known as Mirkwood . The wizards already appeared old when they entered Middle - earth . They were "clothed" in the bodies of old Men, as the Valar wished them to guide the inhabitants of Middle - earth by persuasion and encouragement, not by force or fear . They were forbidden to dominate the free peoples of Middle - earth or to match Sauron's power with power . However, they aged very slowly and were in fact immortal . Physically they were "real" Men, and felt all the urges, pleasures and fears of flesh and blood . Therefore, in spite of their specific and unambiguous goal, the Wizards were capable of human feelings; Gandalf, for example, felt great affection for the Hobbits . They could also feel negative human emotions such as greed, jealousy, and lust for power . It is hinted in the essay in Unfinished Tales that the Blue Wizards may have fallen prey to these temptations, though information published in The Peoples of Middle - earth seems to contradict this version of their history . </P> <P> Although immortal, their physical bodies could be destroyed by violence--thus Gandalf truly died in the fight with Durin's Bane, beyond the power of the Valar to resurrect him; Eru Ilúvatar intervened to send Gandalf back . Similarly, Saruman was killed when his throat was cut by his servant in The Return of the King . The Istari also carried staves, which seem to aid their magic . When Saruman is defeated at Isengard, Gandalf casts him from the White Council and breaks his staff . </P> <P> Even after his staff is broken, however, Saruman retains persuasive power over the heart and will of men . Similarly, when Gandalf's staff is broken at the Bridge of Khazad - dûm he is still able to slay the Balrog, showing that a wizard's strength was not entirely dependent on his staff . </P> <P> Though the Valar intervened only rarely in Middle - earth, they sent the wizards as emissaries from Valinor because they had not forsaken the Men and Elves of Middle - earth . In imposing the prohibition against using force to compel the Children of Eru, the Valar sought with the wizards to avoid repeating an ancient error . They had tried direct intervention in the destiny of the Elves in the Years of the Trees by leading the Eldar into the West, but this resulted in many bloody wars and confrontations . In the struggle against the Dark Lord, they hoped instead to help Men achieve their own destiny . Thus Gandalf and the other wizards were meant to use their great wisdom to persuade Men to courses of action which would achieve Men's own goals, rather than trying to dominate them, hence their power was ultimately restricted . Saruman failed in this when he tried to set himself up as a commander in opposition to Sauron, but Gandalf remained faithful to his charge . </P>

What can wizards do in lord of the rings