In J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, the *Istari* are a group of five powerful beings, also known as Wizards, sent by the Valar to Middle-earth to guide and assist its peoples in countering the influence of Sauron. Though they appear as old men, they are actually Maiar—lesser divine spirits—in human form. The most well-known among them are Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast.