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{{quote|A Balrog of [[Morgoth]]. This foe is beyond any of [[Fellowship of the Ring|you]].|[[Gandalf]]}}
{{cleanup}}
{{race
{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}
|image=[[Image:Rob_Alexander_-_The_Balrog_of_Moria.jpg|250px]]
{{people
|image=[[File:Thomas Rouillard - Valaraukar.jpg|250px]]
|name=Balrogs
|name=Balrogs
|dominions=
|dominions=primarily [[Angband]],<br>[[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
|languages=[[Black Speech]]?
|languages=
|height=Probably between 6-12 ft
|height=twice the height of a man
|length=
|length=
|skincolor=Black?
|skincolor=
|haircolor=
|haircolor=
|feathers=
|feathers=
|distinctions=Surrounded by fire, shadow, and fear
|distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by shadow and fire
|lifespan=Immortal
|lifespan=Immortal
|members=[[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]]
|members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]]
}}
}}{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
The '''Balrogs''', or '''Balrogath''' ("Balrog-kind") were [[Maiar]] corrupted by [[Morgoth]] during the creation of [[Arda]], who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords.    Famed Balrogs include [[Gothmog]], slain by [[Ecthelion]], and [[Durin's Bane]], slain by [[Gandalf|Olórin]] (Gandalf).


'''Balrogs''' ([[Sindarin|S]] for "Demon of Might"; [[bal]] = power; [[rog]] = demon; the [[Quenya]] form is '''''Valarauko''''' or '''''Valarauco''''') were menacing creatures about twice the height of a man consisting of fire and shadow. Balrogs induced great terror in all and were among [[Morgoth]]'s most feared minions. The wizard Gandalf fell fighting a Balrog when the Fellowship escaped [[Moria]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. In the First Age notable Elf Lords [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]] and [[Glorfindel (Gondolin)|Glorfindel]] each fell fighting separate Balrogs during the sack of [[Gondolin]].
== History ==
Balrogs, also called [[Valaraukar]], were originally [[Maiar]], but they were seduced by [[Morgoth]], who corrupted them to his service before the coming of the [[Elves]]. They were originally gathered by him in his ancient fastness of [[Utumno]] during the [[Years of the Lamps]]. When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled and lurked in the pits of [[Angband]].


== History ==
When [[Morgoth|Melkor]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still to be found in these pits. Ungoliant threatened Melkor, demanding the Silmarils for herself, but the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and rescued their lord.
Balrogs were originally [[Maiar]] spirits, of the same order as [[Sauron]] and [[Gandalf|Olórin]] (Gandalf), but they were seduced by [[Morgoth]], who corrupted them to his service in ancient times before the coming of the [[Elves]].  During the [[First Age]], they were among the most feared of Morgoth's slaves.  When Morgoth's fortress of [[Angband]] was destroyed by the [[Valar]] in the First Age, most Balrogs were destroyed, but some fled and lurked in the pits of Angband or escaped across the [[Blue Mountains]] to eastern [[Middle-earth]]. In the Third Age the Dwarves of [[Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released a Balrog while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were cast out of Moria. This is the same Balrog that Gandalf ultimately encountered.
 
The Balrogs were first encountered by Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") in the First Age. After the victory of the [[Noldor|Noldorin Elves]] over Morgoth's [[Orcs]], the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards Angband, but Balrogs came against him. He was surrounded by them and fought long before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of Balrogs (the only Balrog known by name). Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.
 
After the last battle of the First Age, some Balrogs escaped the Valar's wrath and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth. In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released a Balrog, [[Durin's Bane]], while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature, which is the same Balrog that Gandalf battled in ''The Fellowship of the Ring''.
 
Just one Balrog appears after the First Age. If Sauron had any in his service during the [[Second Age]] or the [[War of the Ring]], they were never revealed. The sole Balrog described by Tolkien after the [[War of Wrath]] was named [[Durin's Bane]].
 
== Other versions of the Legendarium ==
In one of Tolkien's early Middle-earth writings, ''[[Lay of the Children of Húrin]]'', "[[Lungorthin]], Lord of Balrogs" is mentioned. It is not, however, certain if it was another name for Gothmog, or if it simply meant "a Balrog lord". According to [[Christopher Tolkien]], the latter is more probable, as the name Gothmog was mentioned in the earliest Middle-earth writings, as well as the final version of Tolkien's mythology.
 
The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
{{quote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondolin|Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "The Fall of Gondolin"}}
{{quote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}


The Balrogs were first encountered by Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") in the First Age. After the victory of the [[Noldor|Noldorin Elves]] over Morgoth's [[Orcs]], the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards Angband, but Balrogs came against him. He was surrounded by Balrogs and fought long before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]], Lord of Balrogs (the only Balrog known by name). Though Feanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after, and his spirit departed for the [[Halls of Mandos]].
As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
{{quote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}


Only one Balrog explicitly appears after the First Age; if Sauron had any in his service during the [[Second Age]] or the [[War of the Ring]], they were never revealed. The sole Balrog described by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] after the [[War of Wrath]] was [[Durin's Bane]]. It is possible that it was the last Balrog in [[Middle-earth]].
It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.


== Do Balrogs Have Wings? ==
==Etymology==
The description of the Balrog in Moria from "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", in the fifth chapter of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' raised the question of whether Balrogs were winged. There are two references in this chapter:
Balrog is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might" from ''[[balan|bal-]]'', "power" and ''[[raug]], [[rog]]'', "demon".


<blockquote>''"His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings."''</blockquote>
The [[Quenya]] form '''''[[Valarauko]]''''' points to a possible [[Primitive Quendian]] form *''balaraukô''.


<blockquote>''"...suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall..."''</blockquote>
In the earlier [[The Etymologies|Etymologies]], the word Balrog was derived from ''[[ñgwalaraukô]]'',<ref>{{HM|LR}}, [[The Etymologies]], RUK</ref> but this is inconsistent with Quenya ''Valarauko''.


Tolkien's language leaves some room for speculation. The first quote seems to describe a Balrog covered in shadow that appears winglike, and is later 'spread.' However, the second quoted passage seems to indicate that this Balrog had actual wings that were spread from wall to wall.  
A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''[[Balrogs|Balrog]]'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>


=== Arguments ''For'' Balrog Wings ===
==Portrayal in adaptations==
The most common reference for winged Balrogs is the 'vast wings' language in "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm". The plain language here explicitly refers to 'wings.' Another Tolkien reference may be taken as evidence of Balrog wings:
<gallery>File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Balrog.jpg|A Balrog as envisioned in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
{{quote|Swiftly they arose, and they passed with winged speed over Hithlum, and they came to Lammoth as a tempest of fire.|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', "The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Rape of the Silmarils"}}
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|<center>A Balrog as envisioned in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</center>
File:Thaurlach.jpg|<center>The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>


This is either a metaphor for moving very quickly, or a literal reference to physical wings.
If adaptations were to be counted as canon, the matter of Balrog wings would be decided.


=== Arguments ''Against'' Balrog Wings ===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
On the other hand, the explicit reference to "wings of shadow" leaves open the interpretation that Balrogs had no physical wings. Balrogs were never exactly described as flying in any of Tolkien's works, including the "winged speed" language quoted above. Furthermore, at least two Balrogs fell to their ruin, apparently wingless:  
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.
{{quote|Many are the songs that have been sung of the duel of [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] with the Balrog upon a pinnacle of rock in that high place; and both fell to ruin in the abyss.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter 23, "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"}}
{{quote|I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high place, and broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', Chapter 5, "The White Rider"}}


Some think the strongest objection is the simplest: that taking references like the second statement seriously mean that all lines must be taken literally. For example, shortly before the Balrog's appearance, "Gandalf came flying down the steps and fell to the ground in the midst of the Company." Few would believe that Gandalf literally flew.
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane has wings, albeit wings that were purely decorative as the Balrog could not fly. [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.


== Are There Any Balrogs Left in Middle-earth? ==
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
After the last battle of the First Age some Balrogs escaped the [[Valar]]'s wrath and hid deep underground. ''The Silmarillion'' tells us that:
:The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.


<blockquote>"The Balrogs were destroyed, save some few that fled and hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth..."</blockquote>
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:The chase up the [[Endless Stair]] and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.{{fact}} However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.


Of the 'few' that remained only one, 'Durin's Bane,' was revealed in the literature. Thus there may be other Balrogs lurking in Middle-Earth.
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.


== How Many Balrogs Were There? ==
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
In one of Tolkien's early Middle-earth writings, ''[[Lay of the Children of Húrin]]'', "[[Lungorthin]], Lord of Balrogs" is mentioned. It is not, however, certain if it was another name for Gothmog, or it simply meant "a Balrog lord". According to [[Christopher Tolkien]], the latter is more probable, as the name Gothmog was mentioned in the earliest Middle-earth writings, as well as the final version of Tolkien's mythology.
:The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.


The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
{{quote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondolin|Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion's]] sword, and two score were slain by the warrior's of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales 2]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "The Fall of Gondolin"}}
:Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor an Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.
{{quote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}


As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
{{quote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}
:Unlike the original game, Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.


It should however be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word. However, the number of 3 would require the rewriting of much of ''The Silmarillion'', and even the number of 7 causes conflicts. At least two Balrogs were killed at Gondolin. Others were destroyed during the [[War of Wrath]], and the Balrog that ultimately became Durin's Bane fled from that battle unnoticed. While "thousands" clearly is not according to the author's intent a more probable number, taking into account the writings, is that there were at least a dozen.{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane can be observed in two "session plays" (player character not present): one depicts the awakening of the Balrog by Dwarves under [[Durin]] VI, the other depicts dwarves of [[Balin]]'s company fleeing from the ancient evil. After Gandalf defeats him, the lifeless body of [[Durin's Bane]] can be found on the slopes of [[Zirakzigil]]. Despite the players knowing the Balrog dead, another Servant of Sauron tests their will and fears, by portraying an illusion of it. In the illusion, the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog on the [[Endless Stair]] is recreated, until it ends the opposite way of the actual event: the Balrog defeats the Wizard, throwing his lifeless body from Zirakzigil. Players have to defeat the Balrog in order to combat the illusion.
:The game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu, where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosing and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Balrog.jpg|thumb|A Balrog as envisioned in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
:Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.
[[Peter Jackson]] chose to give [[Durin's Bane]] wings, albeit wings that were purely decorative as the Balrog could not fly. Jackson's "Demon of Might" was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Balrogs|Images of Balrogs]]
* [[:Category:Images of Balrogs|Images of Balrogs]]
* [[Balrogs/Wings]]
== External links ==
* Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''


== External Links ==
{{references}}
* [http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs], an essay series by Conrad Dunkerson.
{{ainur}}
 
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]

Revision as of 04:07, 17 March 2016

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
The name Balrog refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Balrog (disambiguation).


Balrogs
People
Thomas Rouillard - Valaraukar.jpg
General Information
MembersGothmog, Durin's Bane
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsMan-like, surrounded by shadow and fire
Average heighttwice the height of a man
GalleryImages of Balrogs

The Balrogs, or Balrogath ("Balrog-kind") were Maiar corrupted by Morgoth during the creation of Arda, who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include Gothmog, slain by Ecthelion, and Durin's Bane, slain by Olórin (Gandalf).

History

Balrogs, also called Valaraukar, were originally Maiar, but they were seduced by Morgoth, who corrupted them to his service before the coming of the Elves. They were originally gathered by him in his ancient fastness of Utumno during the Years of the Lamps. When this fortress was destroyed by the Valar, they fled and lurked in the pits of Angband.

When Melkor and Ungoliant escaped from Valinor many years later with the Silmarils, the Balrogs were still to be found in these pits. Ungoliant threatened Melkor, demanding the Silmarils for herself, but the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and rescued their lord.

The Balrogs were first encountered by Elves during the Dagor-nuin-Giliath ("Battle under the Stars") in the First Age. After the victory of the Noldorin Elves over Morgoth's Orcs, the Elf Lord Fëanor pressed on towards Angband, but Balrogs came against him. He was surrounded by them and fought long before being mortally wounded by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs (the only Balrog known by name). Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.

After the last battle of the First Age, some Balrogs escaped the Valar's wrath and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth. In the Third Age the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm unwittingly released a Balrog, Durin's Bane, while mining for mithril and were driven out of Moria by the creature, which is the same Balrog that Gandalf battled in The Fellowship of the Ring.

Just one Balrog appears after the First Age. If Sauron had any in his service during the Second Age or the War of the Ring, they were never revealed. The sole Balrog described by Tolkien after the War of Wrath was named Durin's Bane.

Other versions of the Legendarium

In one of Tolkien's early Middle-earth writings, Lay of the Children of Húrin, "Lungorthin, Lord of Balrogs" is mentioned. It is not, however, certain if it was another name for Gothmog, or if it simply meant "a Balrog lord". According to Christopher Tolkien, the latter is more probable, as the name Gothmog was mentioned in the earliest Middle-earth writings, as well as the final version of Tolkien's mythology.

The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:

"The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by Tuor and the Gondothlim in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe Dramborleg, three before Ecthelion's sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house."
The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "The Fall of Gondolin"
"There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons."
The Lost Road and Other Writings, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 16, §15

As the legendarium became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:

"In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'"
Morgoth's Ring, Section 2 (AAm*): note 50

It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published The Lord of the Rings, but predate the materials from which the published The Silmarillion was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.

Etymology

Balrog is Sindarin for "Demon of Might" from bal-, "power" and raug, rog, "demon".

The Quenya form Valarauko points to a possible Primitive Quendian form *balaraukô.

In the earlier Etymologies, the word Balrog was derived from ñgwalaraukô,[1] but this is inconsistent with Quenya Valarauko.

A list of Old English equivalents of Elvish words, glosses Balrog as having the equivalent Bealuwearg and Bealubroga. As noted by Christopher Tolkien, the Old English word contains the elements bealu ("evil"; as in bale(ful)) and wearg ("wolf, outlaw") or broga ("terror").[2]

Portrayal in adaptations

If adaptations were to be counted as canon, the matter of Balrog wings would be decided.

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Durin's Bane has wings, albeit wings that were purely decorative as the Balrog could not fly. Jackson's Demon of Might was indistinct, a real blend of shadow and fire. Only its horned head, cloven feet, and clawed hands could clearly be seen.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

The chase up the Endless Stair and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.[source?] However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.

2003: Sierra's The War of the Ring:

Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age:

The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth:

Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor an Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Unlike the original game, Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Durin's Bane can be observed in two "session plays" (player character not present): one depicts the awakening of the Balrog by Dwarves under Durin VI, the other depicts dwarves of Balin's company fleeing from the ancient evil. After Gandalf defeats him, the lifeless body of Durin's Bane can be found on the slopes of Zirakzigil. Despite the players knowing the Balrog dead, another Servant of Sauron tests their will and fears, by portraying an illusion of it. In the illusion, the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog on the Endless Stair is recreated, until it ends the opposite way of the actual event: the Balrog defeats the Wizard, throwing his lifeless body from Zirakzigil. Players have to defeat the Balrog in order to combat the illusion.
The game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu, where Angmar meets Misty Mountains. He fled there are the breaking of Thangorodrim, but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosing and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.

2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest:

Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.

See Also

External links

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies, RUK
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names", p. 209
Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar