— Ch. 1 · In-Universe Origins And Nature —
Balrog.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
A tall shadow emerged from the darkness of Moria, its wings stretching from wall to wall. This creature was a Balrog, one of the Maiar corrupted by Morgoth before the world began. They were not mere monsters but angelic spirits of fire who had turned to evil. In the early days of Middle-earth, these beings served as the most feared forces of Melkor. A host of a thousand Balrogs once marched into battle during the First Age. They rode upon dragons and wielded fiery whips with many thongs. Their power was such that only other Maiar could hope to defeat them. When they appeared in the Mines of Moria, they shrouded themselves in flame and shadow. The Balrog known as Durin's Bane hid beneath the Misty Mountains for over five millennia. It waited until miners disturbed its slumber. Then it rose again, a thing of slime stronger than a strangling snake after falling into water. Its physical form could be destroyed, yet its spirit remained tied to the fires of Udûn.
Notable Individual Balrogs
Gothmog stood twelve feet tall when he led the armies of Angband. He held the title of Lord of the Balrogs and High Captain of the Hosts. During the Second Battle, Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Gothmog ambushed Fëanor and wounded him mortally. Later, at the Fifth Battle, Nírnaeth Arnoediad, he slew Fingon, the High King of the Noldor. Gothmog also captured Húrin of Dor-lómin after his personal guard fell. In the Storming of Gondolin, Gothmog fought Ecthelion of the Fountain in single combat. Both warriors killed each other while falling into the king's fountain. Another Balrog became known as Durin's Bane after killing Durin VI, the Dwarf-King of Khazad-dûm. This creature survived the War of Wrath by hiding beneath Caradhras. For more than five thousand years, it waited until mithril-miners awakened it. The Dwarves fled, leaving Moria to the terror within. When Gandalf faced this Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, he declared, 'You cannot pass, flame of Udûn!' The bridge broke, dragging both down into the abyss. They fought for eight days through subterranean lakes before climbing Zirakzigil. There, the Balrog erupted into new flame and was cast down, breaking the mountainside.