[NeonKnight]

Originally posted by ubersoft
Gandalf was *named* the grey because that was his rank within his order -- the highest rank being Saruman (who was a *truly* grey character, as his fall was directly linked to him adopting a "by any means necessary" approach to defeating Sauron.)

Did he use the "Palantir" (the all seeing orb?) as a possible "any means necessary approach to defeating Sauron"? I wasn't aware he had done so in attempt to defeat the Dark Lord.

[ubersoft]

Saruman had been using the palantir in an attempt to find the one ring -- he wanted the ring to use as a weapon against Sauron (as had Boromir). At least, that was his original plan, but it became warped horribly beyond all recognition by his own pride and he was seduced to the dark sid -- er, wait, wrong story.