The Rings of Power series seems ready to bring the demonic creature known as Balrog into action.
The Lord of the Rings prequel has already hinted at the Balrog several times, but it seems that more is about to come in either the season finale or in Season 2. Here is a quick guide to the creature and what you should know about it.
RELATED: The Rings of Power Explained: What Does Udûn Mean?
What Is a Balrog?
Balrog is a fiery demonic creature that briefly appears a the end of The Rings of Power Episode 7. After Durin III throws an Elven leaf into the mine of mithril, the leaf finds its way to the mountains’ roots and the Balrog’s hideout. The Balrogs were Morgoth’s most loyal and lethal allies and caused many losses to the Elves. Morgoth himself played a pivotal role in the Balrogs’ creation, convincing some primordial and powerful spirits known as Maiar to join his cause. The Maiar deserve an explainer themselves, but briefly, Gandalf, Saruman, and the other three wizards are part of the same order. The corrupted Maiar who followed Morgoth soon assumed a different aspect, demonic and repulsive. The Balrogs dwelt in Utumno, Morgoth’s fortress until the Valar and Maiar defeated Morgoth the first time.
RELATED: The Rings of Power Explained: Who Is Pharazôn, Míriel’s Consul?
Both The Lord of the Rings books and Peter Jackson’s trilogy feature a Balrog, perhaps the most famous one. When the Fellowship of the Ring was crossing Moria, they collided with a Balrog right on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Only Gandalf was powerful enough to hold his own with the demonic creature. Ultimately, the battle cost the wizard’s life, and he transformed from Gandalf the Gray into Gandalf the White. That particular Balrog was known as Durin’s Bane because he was responsible for the death of Durin VI and the destruction of the reign of Khazad-dûm.
The most powerful Balrog ever was Gothmog, a.k.a. the Lord of Balrogs. Following Morgoth’s first defeat, his legions regrouped in Angband. Originally just a mere outpost serving as protection for Utumno, Angband became Morgoth’s primary stronghold. Gothmog served as High-captain of Angband, presiding over the fortress in the Iron Mountains. Wielding a whip and a black axe, Gothmog went as far as killing two Ñoldor Elven high kings. Generally, Gothmog was responsible for the death of many Elves until Ecthelion killed him during the siege of Gondolin. To defeat the demon, Ecthelion had to pierce his chest with his pointed helmet and drown Gothmog in a fountain, sacrificing his life.
