Despite his brutish appearance, Conan uses his brains as well as his brawn. The Cimmerian is a talented fighter, but his travels have given him vast experience in other trades, especially as a thief; he is also a talented commander, tactician and strategist, as well as a born leader. In addition, Conan speaks many languages, including advanced reading and writing abilities: in certain stories, he is able to recognize, or even decipher, certain ancient or secret signs and writings. He also has incredible stamina, enabling him to go without sleep for a few days.
Another noticeable trait is his sense of humor, largely absent in the comics and movies but very much a part of Howard's original vision of the character, particularly apparent in "Xuthal of the Dusk", also known as "The Slithering Shadow." He is a loyal friend to those true to him, with a barbaric code of conduct that often marks him as more honorable than the more sophisticated people he meets in his travels. Indeed, his straightforward nature and barbarism are constants in all the tales.
Conan is a formidable armed and unarmed combatant. With his back to the wall Conan is capable of engaging and killing opponents by the score. This is seen in several stories, such as "Queen of the Black Coast", "The Scarlet Citadel" and "A Witch Shall be Born". Conan is not superhuman, though; he did need the providential help of Zelata's wolf to defeat four Nemedian soldiers in the story The Hour of the Dragon. Some of his hardest victories have come from fighting single opponents of inhuman strength: one such as Thak, the ape man from "Rogues in the House", or the strangler Baal-Pteor in "Shadows in Zamboula". Conan is far from untouchable and has been captured and defeated several times (on one occasion knocking himself out drunkenly running into a doorhinge).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Barbarian#Personality_and_character
Gandalf entered into Middle Earth as one of the Istari, and was deemed the wisest of the order by Galadriel. He has been said to be the person most responsible for Sauron's downfall, laboring nonstop for roughly 2000 years to put an end to his reign. Gandalf was the bearer of Narya, the Ring of Fire, given to him by Cirdan when he arrived in Middle Earth. Gandalf always held Hobbits near to his heart, and he also held their race in high regard. When Bilbo found the Ring, Gandalf immediately suspected that it was the One Ring, but allowed Bilbo to keep it, for he knew Bilbo to be strong, and innocent: plus he knew no safer place for it, and he dare not be tempted with it himself. In the year 3001, Gandalf persuaded Bilbo to leave the Ring to Frodo, and shortly thereafter, Gandalf set in motion the Quest of Mount Doom. Gandalf was one of the most important people at the Council of Elrond, because he alone knew the full history of Sauron and the Ring. Although he fell battling the Balrog in Moria, he was sent back to Middle Earth as Gandalf the White to complete his errand. Aside from aiding Frodo in his journey, Gandalf did many other chief deeds during the War of the Ring, including freeing Theoden from the evil spells of Saruman and Wormtongue, and casting Saruman out and taking over as the head of the White Council. After the War of the Ring Gandalf sailed from the Grey Havens with Elrond, Bilbo, and Frodo. It is believed that he also took his beloved horse, Shadowfax.
http://archives.theonering.net/movie/char/gandalf.html
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