Full Name: Known as the Balrog
Name Meaning: Demon of Might (Sindarin Elvish)
Aliases: The Balrog of Khazad-dum, Durin's Bane, the Terror
Birth Date: Unknown
Date of Death: 25th January, TA 3019
Race: Maia
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: Unknown
History:
The Balrog was one of the Maiar, or lower angels, who were corrupted by the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. They were second only to Sauron as Morgoth's most terrifying and deadly servants. They appeared as fire demons with whips of flame, though they were also cloaked in shadow.
The Balrog of Moria was uncovered in TA 1980 by the Dwarves, who were mining for mithril (true-silver). After the Balrog killed two of the Dwarves' kings, the Dwarves abandoned Moria, leaving the Balrog to rule with terror over orcs and trolls. When Pippin tossed a stone into a well during the Fellowship's journey through the Mines, the Balrog was awakened once more. It pursued the Fellowship to the Bridge of Khazad-dum, where it fought with Gandalf. Gandalf, who was also one of the Maiar and therefore of equal power, used his blade Glamdring, to break the Balrog's red sword. When the creature attempted to cross the abyss, Gandalf broke the bridge with his staff, and the Balrog fell into the chasm. As it fell, it lashed out its whip, which coiled around Gandalf so that he also was pulled down. The demon and the wizard fell to the very foundations of stone of Moria, and after battling in the cold lake that spanned the deep places of the Mines, the Balrog fled up the Endless Stair. After a ten-day battle which destroyed Durin's Tower and the Endless Stair, Gandalf killed the Balrog atop the peak of Zirak-zigil.
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