Ballrogs haz wings?

[Gray]

Id herd from others sites that the Ballrogs actully didnt have wings is this tru ? It makes sence thouh because if ballrogs had wings then it could hav flyed when it falled down the brige.

[Cirdan]

http://www.xenite.org/tolkien/do-balrogs-have-wings.html

[Galadriel55]

Id herd from others sites that the Ballrogs actully didnt have wings is this tru ? It makes sence thouh because if ballrogs had wings then it could hav flyed when it falled down the brige.

There were many debates about it, but whatever you believe (if it has or hasn't) - it can't fly. ;)

[Folwren]

Cirdan, did you read that article all the way through? I read one and a half parts and then gave up. I do believe the author's reasoning is quite off...quite..
I also believe he misrepresents the Balrog's thoughts and intentions and his fear, or lack of fear, according to the author, of Gandalf.
That being said, his take on it and explanation for wings was quite interesting.

Gray, there is a rather lengthy thread going into everybody's opinion on this topic. See here (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=11534).

-- Folwren

[Cirdan]

Folwren: I didn't read it all of the way through. He offers the quotes and summarizes some of the ongoing debate. I'm not sure I agree with anyone's opinion. This is just something that Tolkien needed to be asked for a clarification. Perhaps there's an unpublished letter out there somewhere which, when brought to light, will settle the matter once and for all. For those who care. :)

[FlameofAnor]

I like to think of the Balrog as a mighty, flaming penguin.

It has wings, yes. But cannot fly. ^_^

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Looks to me like the Barrow-Wight's latest attempt to boost forum traffic.

[Folwren]

Shucks, the link is broken. I wanted to send that article to my brother.

[blantyr]

You know, this balrog / wings question would be a lot easier to resolve over on the Movie folder? :Merisu:

[Folwren]

You know, this balrog / wings question would be a lot easier to resolve over on the Movie folder? :Merisu:

lol. There's no question that the movie Balrog had wings.

[Inziladun]

You know, this balrog / wings question would be a lot easier to resolve over on the Movie folder? :Merisu:

With the Gospel According to St. Peter (Jackson)? Meh....:rolleyes: ;)

x/d with Folwren

[Eruhen]

Wow. Saw the title and was expecting to see some like a lol-Maia picture here. Somewhat disappointed that no one's gotten on that yet...

[LadyBrooke]

Wow. Saw the title and was expecting to see some like a lol-Maia picture here. Somewhat disappointed that no one's gotten on that yet...

I've never done one before...so here's a horrible one, just for you. :p

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb393/Lady_Brooke/BalrogLOL.jpg

The first thing that came to my mind was, how has this not been in questionable thread titles, followed by wait...what? Is that some strange bullfrog and balrog mix. ;0

[Eruhen]

Here's one I just made.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Love them both.

[Inziladun]

LadyBrooke's from the Bakshi film clearly shows that instead of having teeth, a Balrog employs a live crawfish to chew food for it. ;)

[Bofur]

I believe the original poster was playing a joke on the Tolkien community. C'mon, nobody that is into Tolkien has that many grammar issues. Plus, we all know it's one of the most debated questions throughout Tolkiendom - an easy target.

[Inziladun]

I believe the original poster was playing a joke on the Tolkien community. C'mon, nobody that is into Tolkien has that many grammar issues. Plus, we all know it's one of the most debated questions throughout Tolkiendom - an easy target.

Hence many posters reacting to this thread in a joking manner.

[Galadriel]

LadyBrooke's from the Bakshi film clearly shows that instead of having teeth, a Balrog employs a live crawfish to chew food for it. ;)

Funny how those butterfly wings don't get singed :D

[Nerwen]

I believe the original poster was playing a joke on the Tolkien community. C'mon, nobody that is into Tolkien has that many grammar issues. Plus, we all know it's one of the most debated questions throughout Tolkiendom - an easy target.

I shouldn't be surprised if "Gray" is really the sock-puppet of some other member. (Eomer? tp? Sally? Lottie?)

[Inziladun]

I shouldn't be surprised if "Gray" is really the sock-puppet of some other member. (Eomer? tp? Sally? Lottie?)

I could think of another suspect, as well. ;)

Balrogs didn't have wings, though. They didn't fly, so having wings basically would have made them fiery turkeys. :D

[Nerwen]

I could think of another suspect, as well. ;)
Oh, you mean you! Is this a confession?

[Inziladun]

Oh, you mean you! Is this a confession?

No, but I wish I had thought of it.

[Nerwen]

Oh, same here.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

That's what I suggested already, Nerwen, though I aimed higher up. ;)

[Inziladun]

That's what I suggested already, Nerwen, though I aimed higher up. ;)

With the poster's name being Gray, I had someone else in mind.

J'accuse, Mithadan! :D

[Nerwen]

With the poster's name being Gray, I had someone else in mind.

J'accuse, Mithadan! :D

Oooo, now this is getting exciting!:eek:

[Galadriel]

Balrogs didn't have wings, though. They didn't fly, so having wings basically would have made them fiery turkeys. :D

And your objection to that is? ;)

[Mithalwen]

I could think of another suspect, as well. ;)

Balrogs didn't have wings, though. They didn't fly, so having wings basically would have made them fiery turkeys. :D

How many times must I explain that lots of things have wings and don't fly - apart from flightless birds - houses, chairs, stages. I had some lovely pinks gauzy wings for a while and I don't fly (well not under my own steam).


Some sillies even claim that buffaloes have wings and that is either a blatant lie or the result of dome seriously scary GM.

But Balrogs do have wings, they do, they do - and every time you say they don't a hobbit dies.... (that is a statement not a threat btw).

[Bom Tombadillo]

And if we must commit hobbitcide to convince you that neither Balrogs nor Ballrogs nor bullfrogs nor crawfish have wings, then we shall.

*points at Balrog* You cannot fly!

[Inziladun]

How many times must I explain that lots of things have wings and don't fly - apart from flightless birds - houses, chairs, stages. I had some lovely pinks gauzy wings for a while and I don't fly (well not under my own steam).

Why would the fearsome Demons of Fire, the most terrible servants of Morgoth, have useless wings? Were they playing on the sympathies of Elves and Men? Or were they going for a penguin-like awww factor? :D

But Balrogs do have wings, they do, they do - and every time you say they don't a hobbit dies.... (that is a statement not a threat btw).

How about I grant them the right (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBOQzSk14c) to have wings? Balrog freedom now!

[Mithalwen]

*Pouts* They might be able to glide...and pingus would struggle to swim where they want without their wings....

They have wings I tell you... they don't need the right to have them (though Kudos and larks tongues for what is presumably a life of Brian link- puter on a go slow and not loading). But if you suck your teeth and say typical woman the larks can keep their tongues...

[Bom Tombadillo]

Ah, but why would they have wings? Since it is not explicitly said (although some claim it to be implied) that they do, the burden of proof is on those asserting that they do.

[Mithalwen]

I think it does say and wings are cool. Why wouldn't they have them?

[Inziladun]

Why wouldn't they have them?

The Melkor United Balrog Association's official motto was "Too cool for wings". :cool:

[Mithalwen]

Who cares what the MUBA say? We all know it is the United Association of Melkor Balrogs that has the authority. And they insist on wings...

[Bofur]

Hence many posters reacting to this thread in a joking manner.

Key word there is "many". The first few were taking the original poster seriously.

But I like this little game everyone is now playing! :D

[LadyBrooke]

But I like this little game everyone is now playing! :D

Yes, threads like this have a tendency to downgrade into silliness. Like the discussion over Legolas's hair/hare (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=10869&highlight=hare) which you should really read if the think this is funny...

So, what happens when the UAMB and MUBA inevitably merge and form one group? Will the balrogs develop a personality crisis? Or is there actually two species of balrog, Valarauko ráma and Valarauko carnë.

[Mithalwen]

It will be Balrogs United Militia. But the organisation will have two wings a winged wing and a wingless wing but either way the wingless will be a wing and so winged. And the singers singed. And if you were wondering the answer is yes.:Merisu:

[Nerwen]

*Pouts* They might be able to glide...and pingus would struggle to swim where they want without their wings....
But– do Balrogs swim?

[Mithalwen]

They might... in lakes of fire... and it was more the directional qualities than the medium that was the issue...:smokin:

[Inziladun]

They might... in lakes of fire... and it was more the directional qualities than the medium that was the issue...:smokin:

Negative. For directional control underwater they'd need some sort of fins at the back end, wouldn't they? Er...never mind. :eek:

[Mithalwen]

Negative. For directional control underwater they'd need some sort of fins at the back end, wouldn't they? Er...never mind. :eek:

Are you suggesting penguins have fins on that logic? I think we know that at least one Finn has penguins...

[Inziladun]

Are you suggesting penguins have fins on that logic? I think we know that at least one Finn has penguins...

You've just proven my case. Penguins and Finns have a known affinity. Finns and Balrogs? Not so much.

[Mithalwen]

After my experience of some Werewolf games I don't think that holds water. Besides the Finns invented saunas. They must be creatures of fire.

[Inziladun]

When I think on it, maybe Balrogs having wings (http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Greatest/dp/B000002U8M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311447603&sr=1-1) isn't so far fetched. After all, Band On the Run was a pretty good song.

[Mithalwen]

But Mull of Kintyre was dreadful (we are showing our age dreadfully Inzi darling). I will argue the toss indefinitely that Balrogs had wings conceding only that they might be of shadow and not enable flight... but bagpipes are truly the work of Melkor* save that for love of Tevildo he would not so torture a cat,

*I'll make and exception for Highland Cathedra (http://youtu.be/a7tW3dqYmDo)l music which stirs the soul even for one such as I with not a drop of Scots blood.

[Eruhen]

WHAT?! Bagpipes the work of the Morgoth?! What blasphemy! Bagpipes are the purest expression of the Music this side of the Dagor Dagorath!

And, Balrogs must have been able to swim. Remember in TTT when everyone's favorite Istar says that he and the Balrog of Moria 'plunged into deep water' after they fell?

QED. And shenanigans on anyone who says otherwise.

[Archaic Elf]

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9913/balrogm.jpg


*Disclaimer: Don't consume energy drinks. Drink something healthy instead. Water.
**All apologies to John Howe.

I think it does say and wings are cool. Why wouldn't they have them?

I think we have a winner.



So, what happens when the UAMB and MUBA inevitably merge and form one group? Will the balrogs develop a personality crisis? Or is there actually two species of balrog, Valarauko ráma and Valarauko carnë.

It doesn't really matter what they do in the end. The United Association of Dragons have the patent on flight. The balrogs can masquerade all they want in their little wings.



And, Balrogs must have been able to swim. Remember in TTT when everyone's favorite Istar says that he and the Balrog of Moria 'plunged into deep water' after they fell?

QED. And shenanigans on anyone who says otherwise.

Is this your way of saying those wings are just fins? As if. But yes they can swim.

[Mithalwen]

WHAT?! Bagpipes the work of the Morgoth?! What blasphemy! Bagpipes are the purest expression of the Music this side of the Dagor Dagorath!


No that would be Bach.


Archaic Elf - that might be it - personally I think Red Bull is orc draught but this may explain why they don't try to fly so much :http://youtu.be/vOBKA9q_DWU

[Galadriel55]

Red Bull? Bullsh..!... erm, ah, umm, yes. Right. That's for cows, not Balrogs or ballrogs or ballroughs or even bullfrogs... even though the latter might fancy themselves suitable for that drink....

*Pouts* They might be able to glide...

...off the top of Zirakzigil... ?

[Mithalwen]

That ended up being more of a plummet but he had been hewn and was possibly also still water logged - bursting into flame again may not have been enough to render wings useful in air so soon after water..think of all that steam.... I think there is failure in balrog waterproofing that may have been identified here...