Balrog

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.

## History

Balrogs, also called Valaraukar, were originally Ainur created by Ilúvatar, probably those who joined Melkor during his discordance in the Music of the Ainur. After entering into Eä, they were Maiar, lesser spirits at the service of the Valar.

They took the forms of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the Two Lamps and they dwelt in Utumno. When this fortress was destroyed by the Valar, they fled to the west and hid in the pits of Angband, awaiting their master's return.

When Morgoth and Ungoliant escaped from Valinor many years later with the Silmarils, the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and ran to Lammoth like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.

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

During the Wars of Beleriand, Morgoth only came out of Angband on one occasion. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the Fall of Gondolin: Gothmog by Ecthelion, and another by Glorfindel.

After the War of Wrath, some Balrogs escaped the destruction of Beleriand and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth. Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of Morgoth: In the Third Age the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as Durin's Bane, while mining for *mithril* and were driven out of Moria by the creature. Encountered by the Fellowship of the Ring, it was faced by Gandalf.

## Appearance

**Balrogs** generally took the form of tall, menacing beings roughly humanoid in shape, though seeming to consist of or be surrounded by shadow and flame. They used both a flaming sword, and a fiery whip; they were constantly burning, and their weapons appeared molten. Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs in the First Age, used a black ax as well.

It is unclear, and highly debated, whether Balrogs had wings.

Balrogs seemed to encapsulate and project power and terror, perhaps meant to be a dark shadow of the majesty that the Valar radiate. Additionally, Tolkien refers to Balrogs with "streaming fiery manes".

Additionally, they may have been able to alter their body structures on occasion, as in the battle between Durin's Bane and Gandalf, when the Balrog fell into a body of water he shifted himself into something slimy. However, it is also possible that this alternate form was simply Gandalf using colorful language to describe what the Balrog was like after having its flame extinguished and being covered in water. It is also possible that, while the Balrog, like all other Ainur, could shift form, this was not a case of that.

## Powers and abilities

Balrogs were exceptionally powerful creatures. Only seven **Balrogs** were required to drive away Ungoliant, a large monster powerful enough to devour the fruits of Telperion, which produced the light for billions of stars.

A single Balrog, who became known as Durin's Bane, managed to drive the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm from their ancient and supremely fortified home, which was the greatest kingdom of Dwarves that had ever been. It also contended with Gandalf, and shattered the side of a mountain with physical might alone. The Balrogs were considerably bodily agile, such that their passing is once described as a “tempest of fire”.

Gothmog fought against and overcame Fëanor, an elf who was powerful enough to control the light of the two trees. He also spread chaos through the city of Gondolin, filled with elves of similar, though far lower, caliber. It was even thought to be at least somewhat comparable to Sauron during the first age.