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Post by erinion on Aug 22, 2006 3:43:13 GMT -5
Well, I was reading Two Towers for the umpteenth time, and came across this:
This is when Gandalf is describing the battle between him and the Balrog. They fell from the bridge, and fell into a lake. So, what was this slime, because later,
What has happened is Gandalf is fighting the fiery Balrog/Maiar, and they fall into a lake, turning the Balrog into slime, and then he comes out into the Sun and bursts into flame again.
Does this mean the sun gives power to the Balrogs, and without it they would die/be slimified? If so, how did this Balrog survive for so long, because in the mines, there is little sunlight?
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 22, 2006 3:48:47 GMT -5
I am curious to ponder if it didnt technically mean he turned into a slime ball, but meaning his skin became that of a slick surface. Also, perchance the slime on their body is like a gas kind of thing where it can be ignited. Just wondering...hmm I think I'd like to study that lol.
Good notice though, as many times as I myself have read it that never popped out to my attention.
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Post by erinion on Aug 22, 2006 17:06:12 GMT -5
But still...if he was living in Moria, and the orcs didn't go near him, how would he be ignited?
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taran
Hobbit
The assistant Pig-keeper
Posts: 38
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Post by taran on Aug 22, 2006 23:28:53 GMT -5
I do not believe the balrog actually turned to slime, but that this is merely a description of its state after having plunged through the water. As this water would have been most likely stgnant, the balrog would have most likely been "slimy" upon exiting the water. Being a creature of fire, the water would have weakened it. But open exiting in the sun it would have dried off, regained its bearing and then drawn forth power again, thus bursting into flame.
Now, I got the impression that the Balrog was not initially on fire--that because the lower levels were aflame it caught on fire, but this could also be a manifestation of its power. Even in the sunlight, it would be so intent on destroying Gandalf that after its drag through the water, it would have regained its footing and went for one last final attack.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 23, 2006 0:09:32 GMT -5
Then if thats the case, Gandalf would have been referenced to as a slimey thing as well... in my oppinion
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 23, 2006 1:08:26 GMT -5
I think that if a balrog is lit in flames then it stays lit until it is quwenched by water. The strongest element is water.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 23, 2006 17:04:56 GMT -5
I thought wind was
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 24, 2006 3:05:24 GMT -5
No. You see water can destroy earth, fire and wind somehow (I now how but cant remember it).
Ah yes thats it. Theres moister in the air so that makes the water win there. Hence its the strongest.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 25, 2006 2:30:18 GMT -5
Ooo....Riiighhhtt ....*evil cackle*
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Post by erinion on Aug 25, 2006 3:34:27 GMT -5
So, really, what happened was he fell into the water and that quenched his fire. I think, we need to discover if he passed through the fiery levels, or whether he was on fire from the beginning. If so, that would be difficult to maintain with no source of sunlight or fire, as it appears that is what is needed to make it become fire. So, then we come back to the slime issue. If, it is not putty-like but more slimy would that mean it can change its shape, so it isn't stuck with one form all the time?
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 25, 2006 20:02:02 GMT -5
I think just cause it was wet it was a thing of slime.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 26, 2006 23:42:48 GMT -5
Hmm It could be as simple as that....then again....It could be as complicated as we're trying to make it ;D
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Post by erinion on Aug 27, 2006 2:22:09 GMT -5
The wet thing works...so if it stays dry, it can stay on fire...makes sense.
Okay then, what happened in the snow? Did The Balrog melt it, or was there enough moisture to prevent that?
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Post by Majimaune on Aug 27, 2006 2:53:45 GMT -5
I think that snow is different because its ice, it would evaporate around the balrog.
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Post by Angoreth on Aug 28, 2006 16:53:16 GMT -5
Yeah, just like if you pick up snow in your hand and breath on it it begins to melt.
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