Lord of the Rings Fans Discuss the Battle Between Gandalf the Grey and the Balrog of Moria in Thread About LOTR Lore

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Eleonora Bader
May 14, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Well, well, if it isn't another thread about LOTR lore… count me in! But let's backtrack for a second before we continue.

In the depths of the Mines of Moria, a place swallowed by darkness, the Fellowship's journey took a perilous turn. Gandalf, the wise wizard and protector of the group, sensed a lurking evil… a Balrog, a monstrous creature of fire and shadow. As the Balrog emerged, Gandalf stood his ground, a lone guardian against the encroaching darkness! He wielded his magical power and fought valiantly against the Balrog's ancient malice. The cavern echoed with the thunder of their struggle, light battling shadow on the narrow bridge spanning a seemingly bottomless chasm. We all know what happened next. But do you know the full context of the scene? The LOTR fans discussed it below, and it's quite an interesting read.

Afterward, check out this Dungeon Master who prevented his players from leveling up after setting an unfair challenge.

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    This scene just hits different once you know the full context
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    BenC357 16 hr. ago For those asking for context, the short version is that both Gandalf and The Balrog (aka Durin's Bane in this case) are both Maia, essentially angels/demigods from the dawn of creation. The Balrog was corrupted by Melkor/Morgoth and chose the path of Evil, while Gandalf stayed true to Good. Its two titans from the dawn of time with polar opposite ideologies meeting randomly and deciding to throw down. Nothing about that isnt awesome! 1.3k Reply Share ...
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    Ifg2019 14 hr. ago Would Gandalf and the Balrog have 'known' each other? Would they remember each other from times past? I don't know how many Maia there were but surely they would have known wife a few of their peers? 202 Reply Share ... BenC357 13 hr. ago The only thing we can say with reasonable certainty is that Gandalf absolutely recognized what the Balrog was based on what he shouted at it. Referring to it as "Flame of Udun" being a reference to the Balrog's previous service to Melkor. I'd
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    Alrik_Immerda. 5 hr. ago Also Gandalf tells the Balrog very very clearly that he is a Maiar himself. 78 Reply Share Nyxodon 2 hr. ago Honestly pretty epic how Gandalf is kinda like "Yeah, I think I can take him" 47 Reply Share ... kiwidude4. 2 hr. ago Nah I'd win 22 Reply Share ...
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    pdbstnoe. 16 hr. ago Why would you make a post like this and not post the relevant context to which you're referring? 4.1k Reply Share ... gamaliel64. 15 hr. ago Beleriand I'm assuming OP is referring to the fact that Durins Bane and Gandalf are both maiar, and that other balrogs were responsible for the razing of Gondlin, one of the greatest Noldor strongholds in Middle Earth ever. 2.0k Reply Share ... str00del 15 hr. ago Gandalf is also using Glamdring, sword of Turgon who was the King of Gond
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    Wheybolic 16 hr. ago Can someone explain the full context? Know the gist of it but looks like I'm missing some details. 397 Reply Share ... MisterGrumps 16 hr. ago edited 12 hr. ago They're both Maiar, which you could compare to angels. They were both present at the singing of the great song, which brought reality into being. The balrog fell to Morgoths corruption, and of course Gandalf didn't. As for the context, I'll break it down line by line.
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    "I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor" Gandalf serves the secret fire. The secret fire is also known as Eru (God), creator of all things. The flame of Anor is the flame of life. It's the only thing that gives true life, and only Eru can wield it. Morgoth and Sauron cannot create, only corrupt. Gandalf is making himself known to the Balrog as a faithful servant of Eru, and an equal match. "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn" = The dark fire I interpret as b
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    WaFeeAhWeigh - 16 hr. ago The Two Towers That's so bad s. This lore never ceases to give me the goosies. 579 Reply Share ... thewend 13 hr. ago me neither! Going strong rn reading Nature of Middle Earth, and by Eru its a freaking hard read. But a worthwhile one, if youre into the nitty gritty details of literally every aspect of this universe I'm currently reading the osanwe-kenta, the communication between the mind of individuals. Jes I dont understand a single word written. 104 Reply Share
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    misterturdcat 16 hr. ago They're cousins right? Like technically? 323 Reply Share ... allThat Sam 16 hr. ago second cousin, once removed on his mother's side and his third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me 370 Reply Share Minimum-Scientist-71 16 hr. ago Éomer We had first cousins yes but what about second cousins? 183 Reply Share ...
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    King Wynnie 19 hr. ago Balrog went in relaxed thinking he had easy prey to straight recognizing an OG and showing respect via display of power. 163 Reply Share ... 26_paperclips 15 hr. ago Yeah but I'm the book Gandalf does the same thing 23 Reply Share ….. MasterXaios. 5 hr. ago Yeah but I'm the book Gandalf does the same thing Hi the book Gandalf does the same thing, I'm dad. 8 Reply Share
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    Battling Mink28. 17 hr. ago Erebor I thought this was always one of the most breathtaking 1v1's out there. Then learning the lore and who Gandalf was and who the Balrog was and what Gandalfs words literally meant. Basically a battle of gods compared to the present company. 202 Reply Share ... darkthought .16 hr. ago When the mythic beings of your legends reveal themselves in front of you 78 Reply Share ...
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    Generous_lions 15 hr. ago You definitely get a good idea of Gandalfs relative power if you play The Third Age too. This is a boss fight where the rest of your party can barely deal damage to the balrog but you get Gandalf as a one off party member who does absolute bonkers damage through the fight if I recall correctly. 38 Reply Share bendall1331.5 hr. ago You recalled correctly. Your main party will basically do nothing and are only best used to support Gandalf in fighting the Balrog 4 Reply Sh
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    HYPERNOVA3. 13 hr. ago I mean, Gandalf himself just hits different when you think about him being an all mighty being and knowing far more than what he speaks and the reasons behind it. 10 Reply Share Photogrammaton - 17 hr. ago "WHERE IS RENT?!" "I...shall NOT PAY" 33 Reply Share ... Doomestos1 15 hr. ago "YOU'LL GET YOUR RENT WHEN YOU FIX THIS C N BRIDGE!" 19 Reply Share ...
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    Nihilus84. 12 hr. ago One part that made this fight even better in the book is the mage duel that happens earlier. Gandalf covers the retreat and tries to bar the Balrog from following by casting a shutting spell on a doorway, the balrog in response casts a counter spell which shatters the door and nearly breaks Gandalf, it's their first real measure of each other as I recall. од Reply Share ...
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    RangerOk3629.13 hr. ago I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the shadow. You cannot pass. 11 Reply Share ...
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    Heroic-Forger · 12 hr. ago Them being both Maiar is a bit of a surprise. Kinda like learning a Chihuahua and a Great Dane are the same species. 5 Reply Share ...
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    Cilarnen 11 hr. ago It does... but not in the way I think you intend. When I was a child, who hadn't even read The Hobbit yet, this scene hit hard. Here was this old man, a wizard sure, but for all knew, nothing more than an old man, up against a demon of fires and strength. To a child Cilarnen, this was 100% a sacrifice, and one from which the old wizard would not return. Knowing what I know now, how the two are almost equal in strength, sure I get that Gandalf isn't guaranteed to return from o
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    dao_ofdraw 10 hr. ago I'd be cranky too if someone woke me up from my thousand year nap. 4 Reply Share ...
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mordor fantasy moria lotr lore Lord of the Rings Frodo Baggins tolkien fellowship of the ring gandalf The Hobbit balrog the ring geeks lotr thread The Shire gandalf the white
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