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A balrog question

Discussion in 'Booktalk' started by Sydax, May 17, 2003.

  1. Sydax Gems: 19/31
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    Remove all ads!
    [​IMG] Is there any reference to a Balrog in a non Tolkien book?
    Somebody knows what is it or where is come from?
     
    Sydax, May 17, 2003
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  2. Woody Woodrow Banned

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    I think it's just a Tolkien thing. But don't take my word for it.
     
    Woody Woodrow, May 17, 2003
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  3. Volsung Gems: 14/31
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    I think Tolkien invented it, though "bal" in Old Norse means "fire".
     
    Volsung, May 17, 2003
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  4. 8people

    8people 8 is just another way of looking at infinite ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran

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    [​IMG] Whats' rog mean then? It sounds a bit like rug so is the creature Fire Rug?

    I haven't seen Balrogs mentioned anywhere else though there are certainly many variations of them with different names and stuff.
     
    8people, May 17, 2003
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    In the books Balrog simply means "Demon of Might." If you read The Silmarillion you would know they are maia corrupted by Melkor. Greatest amoung them is Gothmog. He slayed several Elven Kings and Princes IIRC
     
    Frog, May 17, 2003
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    'Rog' in Balrog comes from 'Rauko', which means Demon.
     
    Faragon, May 17, 2003
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    Well Tolkein was a professor at ancient gailic languages.
     
    Erebus, May 17, 2003
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    So the literal translation of Balrog is Fire Demon.

    That's interesting because in the Fighting Fantasy series of gamebooks they have a Fire Demon there who's a carbon copy of the Balrog.

    [ May 18, 2003, 11:22: Message edited by: dshadow ]
     
    dshadow, May 17, 2003
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    In which language, Faragon?
    Anyway, 'Fire Demon' is probably the correct explanation for 'Balrog'; Balrogs *are* actually fire demons.
     
    Volsung, May 18, 2003
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    Sindarin, iirc.
     
    Faragon, May 18, 2003
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    If a Balrog is a a fire demon then why does it go slimy when wet?
     
    Sir Dargorn, May 30, 2003
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  12. Frog Gems: 12/31
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    Final Fantasy isn't the only Balrog ripoffs. Theres the Balor from D&D and the Balron from Ultima IIRC.
     
    Frog, May 31, 2003
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  13. The Kilted Crusader

    The Kilted Crusader The Famous Last words "Hey guys, watch THIS!" Veteran

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    I thought it was made from shadows and fire, so when it got wet it would give off steam, but I don't know about slimy.
     
    The Kilted Crusader, May 31, 2003
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    I think Tolkein got the word balrog by warping the Anglo-Saxon language.
     
    Erebus, May 31, 2003
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    The only thing I know about Balrog is that wouldn't want to come face to face with one. if they can kill Elven Kings, i shudder to think what it'd do to one short mortal girl!
    Slimy when wet?? I dunno... maybe it corrupts or fouls the water and thats what you see sloughing off it. Ewwwww.
     
    Valkyrie, Jun 12, 2003
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    frog was right in translation; balrog (valaraukar in quenya) means demon of might, not necessarily fire. fire was obviously the preference, but as with all the ainur, balrogs had a degree of shapeshifting inherent in their natures, hence the slime.
     
    lasgalen, Jun 18, 2003
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  17. Prophete D'Acier Gems: 3/31
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    I remember seeing balrogs in the last levels of the original Diablo...
     
    Prophete D'Acier, Jun 19, 2003
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    Long time since I checked this thread. :heh:

    Anyway, Valarauko (Quenya for Balrog) would be literally translated as 'Demon of Power'. Rauko translates as 'demon', as stated before. Val- translates as 'power'. It says Demon of Might in the Names Index though. Power, might, it's pretty much the same.

    And yes, many fantasy based 'things' used Balrogs, or some bastardisation of them. A lot of fantasy follows the 'set' picture. Dragons, elves, dwarves, etc. Balrogs are an extension of that.
     
    Faragon, Jun 19, 2003
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  19. Gothmog

    Gothmog Man, a curious beast indeed! ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Its nice to have so many people talking about me :grin: :rolling: :1eye: :holy:
     
    Gothmog, Jun 19, 2003
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