YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

Gandalf the White: a wizard, Balrog-slayer, guide of the Fellowship of the Ring, and an overall badass.

Although I don’t think dying and then reincarnating as Gandalf the White would be a fun experience, being Gandalf would fulfill all of my fantasy-world fantasies.

With his staff, Gandalf can cast a multitude of spells. The simpler ones are things like illumination and the ability to call the Lord of the Eagles and Horses – they’d be immensely useful in any sort of situation. He can also push his enemies back telekinetically with his staff, valuable against orcs and Uruk-Hai, and especially against frail evil wizards, like Saruman. Gandalf also has some greater spells, as Gandalf the White. Who wouldn’t want to be able to shoot lightning at his foes, or blast hordes of troops in all directions?

Gandalf has traveled across all of Middle-Earth, from The Shire to Mordor, and everywhere in between. New Zealand- I mean, Middle-Earth, is beautiful, and I would pay anything to be able to take in the breathtaking landscapes and ancient architecture. I would be able to lead a group of dwarves (and Bilbo) to defeat Smaug, and aid the Fellowship in the Siege of Gondor, felling legions of Sauron’s henchmen.

I’ve always played the wizard or mage whenever I get the chance, and Gandalf is the epitome of wizardry; he might have actually been the one to start my preference for magic-wielders – although arrows or swords are useful, spells are much more flexible. Gandalf also exudes a certain aura – enemies fear him, but his allies always feel safer in his presence.