Marielle
Well-Known Member
I've been thinking a lot about Balrogs since the last session. Originally, I wanted 12, but now I think I want 9 -- and we should set up some parallels between the and the future Ringwraiths. There's already some there: terrifying servants of evil, who use shadow and fear as weapons and are fanatically loyal to their Lord, anyone? But I'd like to add visual parallels as well; perhaps in the way they stand around Morgoth's throne, or charge into battle, or something.
As for the deaths of the balrogs, I also have some ideas. I don't think we kill any off at the War to Begin all Wars. The Valar are fighting to stop and imprison Melkor, not kill him and his followers. I think having one die would be too ruthless for the Valar at this point, especially considering the reluctance we gave Manwe leading up to the battle.
The first Balrog death could actually come at the end of Season 2. Ungoliant could put up quite the fight when the Balrogs intervene in the Thieves' Quarrel, and she could take one out before she's forced to flee.
I'll second the idea raised in session to have Aegnor die killing another a the Dagor Bragollach. I think it's a suitably heroic end for our unfortunate lover -- and man, does that make him sound like a chivalric hero.
The next two are more radical, perhaps, but I don't want just elves to kill balrogs, so I was trying to find places where we could have a dwarf or man kill one.
We don't ever have a named king of Nogrod, though we do get Azaghal of Belegost, who is killed fighting Glaurung. Might his brother-king, or a later one, die defending his halls from a balrog?
Also (perhaps my most radical suggestion) Emeldir the Man-Hearted. Taking a bunch of people through the woods is actually an impressive feat, but I'm afraid it wouldn't look so on screen. But having her get her people almost to Brethil, and then a balrog tracks them down? She could stand before it, giving her people time to flee... and then they both fall into a ravine. It would be nice to show that Beren's badassery isn't all from his father
I only want two to die at Gondolin: having three fall in the same set battle would be tricky to do and keep each death significant. I'm sure Gondolin will take the better part of at least two episodes, but still.
Finally, two die at the War of Wrath. We can play with the order, but both of these technically violate MithLuin's rule that whoever kills a balrog also has to die: but I have reasons!
First, Maedros and Elrond & Elros come upon one in the battle. Maedros tries to send his charges away, but they refuse, and stand with him against the monster. The twins are badly wounded, taking them out of the rest of the Battle, but they succeed. This would serve as the answer to the isolation, mistrust, and betrayal that have haunted the Feanoreans: these boys, for love of Maedros, fight beside him and do great deeds. Maedros should be thinking of this moment when debating whether or not to seize the Silmarils, and his decision should be all the more lamentable for it. It also serves the purpose of making Elros and Elrond great in their own right, so that Elros can become King of all High Men on his merits, not just because his dad is awesome.
Finally, when Ingwe and the Vanyar show up, he should kill one, almost easily. Just because that would be an obvious indicator of just how awesome and powerful the Vanyar have become in their apprenticeship to Manwe and Varda. If we don't like this, we could replace Ingwe with Eonwe, but I like Ingwe.
Anyway, that leaves just the one who flees to Moria, waiting for Gandalf.
Thoughts? Love it or hate it?
As for the deaths of the balrogs, I also have some ideas. I don't think we kill any off at the War to Begin all Wars. The Valar are fighting to stop and imprison Melkor, not kill him and his followers. I think having one die would be too ruthless for the Valar at this point, especially considering the reluctance we gave Manwe leading up to the battle.
The first Balrog death could actually come at the end of Season 2. Ungoliant could put up quite the fight when the Balrogs intervene in the Thieves' Quarrel, and she could take one out before she's forced to flee.
I'll second the idea raised in session to have Aegnor die killing another a the Dagor Bragollach. I think it's a suitably heroic end for our unfortunate lover -- and man, does that make him sound like a chivalric hero.
The next two are more radical, perhaps, but I don't want just elves to kill balrogs, so I was trying to find places where we could have a dwarf or man kill one.
We don't ever have a named king of Nogrod, though we do get Azaghal of Belegost, who is killed fighting Glaurung. Might his brother-king, or a later one, die defending his halls from a balrog?
Also (perhaps my most radical suggestion) Emeldir the Man-Hearted. Taking a bunch of people through the woods is actually an impressive feat, but I'm afraid it wouldn't look so on screen. But having her get her people almost to Brethil, and then a balrog tracks them down? She could stand before it, giving her people time to flee... and then they both fall into a ravine. It would be nice to show that Beren's badassery isn't all from his father
I only want two to die at Gondolin: having three fall in the same set battle would be tricky to do and keep each death significant. I'm sure Gondolin will take the better part of at least two episodes, but still.
Finally, two die at the War of Wrath. We can play with the order, but both of these technically violate MithLuin's rule that whoever kills a balrog also has to die: but I have reasons!
First, Maedros and Elrond & Elros come upon one in the battle. Maedros tries to send his charges away, but they refuse, and stand with him against the monster. The twins are badly wounded, taking them out of the rest of the Battle, but they succeed. This would serve as the answer to the isolation, mistrust, and betrayal that have haunted the Feanoreans: these boys, for love of Maedros, fight beside him and do great deeds. Maedros should be thinking of this moment when debating whether or not to seize the Silmarils, and his decision should be all the more lamentable for it. It also serves the purpose of making Elros and Elrond great in their own right, so that Elros can become King of all High Men on his merits, not just because his dad is awesome.
Finally, when Ingwe and the Vanyar show up, he should kill one, almost easily. Just because that would be an obvious indicator of just how awesome and powerful the Vanyar have become in their apprenticeship to Manwe and Varda. If we don't like this, we could replace Ingwe with Eonwe, but I like Ingwe.
Anyway, that leaves just the one who flees to Moria, waiting for Gandalf.
Thoughts? Love it or hate it?