When Gandalf confronted Moria's Balrog, the two opponents couldn't been less alike in physical terms. In truth, however, the Balrog and Gandalf were once both of the same ilk. Like Gandalf, the Balrogs began as primordial spirits known as Maia, who had existed since before time began and took no physical form.

Was the Balrog afraid of Gandalf?

Gandalf is one of the biggest entities in Middle-earth, being one of the five angelic Maiar sent there during the Third Age. Yet even he quaked in fear at Balrog of Morgoth. ... In a disturbing twist, it turns out Gandalf had much to fear from the Balrog, seeing as how the it is basically an evil version of Gandalf.

Why did Gandalf choose the Balrog?

Gandalf had to kill Balrog because he had Balrog's whip around his neck that took Gandalf with him. ... Gandalf also knew that the orcs hated sunlight and the fellowship would be much safer outside. Whereas, Balrog had no problems with the sunlight and he would have left moria in the trail of the Fellowship.

Can the Balrog fly?

Yes, they can fly. There was that one scene in that The Silmarillion book where Mel whined that Ungoliant was trying to steal his stuff, and a bunch of balrogs swooshed directly over.

What was the Balrog doing in Moria?

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.

Gandalf vs. the Balrog explained - LOTR Lore

Why did Gimli not know about Moria?

Gimli did know that Moria is a dangerous place, but he didn't know that his cousin Balin's expedition has failed so horribly. Balin's expedition went to Moria about 30 years before Gimli and the rest of the Fellowship, and there were no words about their destiny.

Do Balrogs serve Sauron?

The Balrogs were originally the servants of Morgoth in the First Age, of whom, Sauron was also his servant. The Balrogs and Sauron were all Maiar and somewhat coeval; it is debatable whether a Balrog would recognize Sauron as successor and serve him willingly. ... The Balrog was awakened by the Dwarves in the year 1980.

Did the Balrog have wings?

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.

What did the dwarves awaken in Moria?

This Balrog appears in The Lord of the Rings, encountered by the Fellowship of the Ring in the Mines of Moria. ... Avarice, principally for mithril, drove the dwarves to go too deep and awaken the Balrog. The Dwarves attempted to fight the Balrog, but its power was far too great for them.

Where does the Balrog come from?

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.

How long did Gandalf fight Balrog?

In the Third Age, one of Balrogs was discovered by the dwarves at the bottom of the Mithril seam in Khazad-dûm. It was the Balrog that Gandalf had fought and eventually defeated after ten days of fighting.

Could the Balrog use the ring?

The Ring likely doesn't call to the Balrog because the Balrog has no use for it. The Ring is about corruption, preservation, and domination. These things are what Sauron, Elves, Men, Wizards, and even Hobbits can fall to because they all 'want' something.

Is the Balrog stronger than Smaug?

Dragons and Balrogs are both, in origin, Maia spirits. Smaug isn't Maiar, but his power is equivalent. ... Smaug would snatch up Durin's Bane and gobble him up with his sword-sharp teeth (and we know swords can kill Balrogs). There you have it.

Is the Balrog more powerful than a dragon?

Dragons are stronger than Balrogs. The order of evil went Melkor, Sauron, Dragons, Balrogs.

Why was Gimli crying over the stone casket?

The French government wanted to move the Curies' bodies to the Pantheon to celebrate them as French history icons. The Fellowship had been forced to flee into Moria, weakened after nearly freezing in the snows of Caradhras. ... 'I cannot sing any more,' he said.

Who is Gimli's cousin?

Gimli stemmed from but was not an inheritor of, the royal line. Through his father, Gimli was also the first cousin once removed of Balin, Lord of Moria, and his brother Dwalin, two more former companions of Bilbo.

Can a Balrog breathe fire?

Breathe Fire - The Balrog exhales a long gust of flame across the selected area. This attack is equivalent to Drogoth's Incinerate, a Firedrake's Inferno, and a Summoned Dragon's default attack. Wings - The Balrog spreads its wings and takes a short flight to a selected nearby location.

Does Smaug serve Sauron?

Despite there being a connection between them – as both are connected to Morgoth in some way – Smaug and Sauron never worked together. It was an alliance Gandalf and the White Council feared, but it never happened since, as far as we know, the two of them never even met in The Hobbit.

Was Morgoth stronger than Sauron?

Conclusion. So, as you can see from all this, Morgoth was much stronger than Sauron in his beginnings, but his power diminished by his end, and in that time, Sauron was probably stronger then Morgoth. ... Melkor is in our opinion the third most powerful character in Middle-earth.

What is the sea creature outside Moria?

The Watcher in the Water was a mysterious and horrific beast that lurked in a lake caused by the damming of the Sirannon river, beneath the western walls of Moria. The full shape of the creature is unknown; its visible parts were its tentacles, which were long, sinuous, pale-green, and luminous, with a fingered end.

What is the creature in the lake outside Moria?

The Watcher in the Water was a horrifying and mysterious beast with many tentacles living in a stagnant pool or lake near the West-gate of Moria, which was described by J.R.R. Tolkien as "... a dark, still lake" created by the damming of the Sirannon river.

Is the One Ring sentient?

Sméagol was changed by the Ring's influence over several centuries into the creature known as Gollum. ... This is thought to be an example of one of the more noticeable powers of the Ring; the ability to change size at will. It also displays the fact that the Ring is sentient, having part of the spirit of Sauron inside it.

Where do Gandalf and the Balrog fall to?

After their fight at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf and the Balrog both fell into the deep chasm. Gandalf was burned by the Balrog's fire on the way down, then almost froze in the water at the bottom.

Did Gandalf know about the Balrog?

As Gandalf turned to hold the narrow bridge, he saw the balrog and recognised it, though weary, he stood his ground, commanded it that it cannot pass, his power as a Maia, granted the power of the Sun by the Valar, and with one of the greater rings, Narya, the Ring of Fire, were both greater than the power of a balrog.