Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs - Epic Character History

[@upschutt4842]

Each time I read/hear/watch about the Balrogs I can imagine even more why Legolas was most terrified by him.

[@Artofficial1986]

And I remember how Aragorn wanted to go back and fight it - but Gandalf saved him by pushing him away. "Swords are no more use here" then used a sword charged with lightning to kill it.

[@orrointhewise87]

"A demon of the ancient world." Didn't realize he went thru so many changes! Guess it takes several attempts to make a foe that would make heroes have second thoughts. But when he gets it right Tolkien makes terror come to life from the pages. This is certainly one of them

[@thebeatles114]

This is probably you're most well-written and emotional video you've ever done. The tales of courage and bravery from both Elves and Men in The Silmarillion stand as the one of the greatest pieces of literature ever put to paper. Oh and don't get me started on how good the artwork featured is, one day I should get some prints of Ted Naismith's, Alan Lee's, etc etc artwork, it's simply divine! Thank you for this and all you do for the Tolkien community.

[@sand9282]

A video on the Slayer of Gothmog, Echthelion of the Fountain, would be great. Not much is known about him.

[@MrSneaksful]

100%! Echthelion, the highest kill count of Balrogs and killer of Gothmog himself.

[@gravestone4840]

The more you said his name, the more I envisioned a Goth version of a Mog from Final Fantasy. Truly terrifying.

[@charlessegale6493]

"Terra, you don't understand! I can't help you with Humbaba because I'm too busy listening to 'Welcome to the Black Parade,' Kupo!"

[@matthewrileymcleanwilkinson]

"Kupo!" Now, let's dance.

[@georgehouliaras7239]

​@@charlessegale6493One does not simply refuse to aid Terra.

[@thomasvlekke5365]

One of the most interesting deity in the entire world of Tolkien

[@slicerneons3300]

I know it wasn't the best game since it was noncanon, but The Third Age was the first game to let us fight a Balrog. It was awesome just for that. We need a game that lets us do that again.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

That game was fun af though. Me and my brother used to co-op it

[@martykitson3442]

if you don't count Gandalf's battle in Moria in lord of the rings game on the commodore 128 in 1987 😁

[@Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger]

The Third Age was a great step into independent stories set in the same universe. You played as characters not present in the movies but believable enough to have been a B-Party to the Fellowship - nearly as important to the events but left out of the spotlight. In addition: The game itself was just so fun.

[@fightronin3753]

Really well made video!!!! Keep up the awesome work!!!!

[@SoldierOfGodwyn]

I've been looking forward to this

[@francisdrake3730]

Much love from germany! Love the balrogs. They're probably my favorite creatures from Tolkins works. Btw. my twin bro got me a chain with the one ring on it(he is also a huge fan of Tolkins works) for our birthday. Now we have matching chains.😊❤

[@marionbaggins]

Man don't mess with this Balrog, he is Dangerous!!! Ecthelion might have been Hands Off when defeating Gothmog, but knew how to use his head and make a point. *I am so sorry* Thanks for Gothmog's ECH, Until the Top 5 Mysteries from the First Age...Marion Baggins Out!!!

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

Ecthelion!!!! My favorite elf

[@Martin-bf3by]

I was the first that I know to figure out that the slime in the trailer is indeed a Balrog. 'It turned to a thing of slime and strong as a snake' says Gandalf in the books.

[@tylerabbott4562]

I always love the takeaway lesson at the end of each episode.

[@yodaslovetoy]

His friends call him "Alan"

[@robertherring9277]

Some call him "Tim"

[@athysw.e.9562]

Great summary of this terrible foe 's main deeds

[@weaselton]

What I have come to appreciate with all of the notes and changes is how that mirrors real myths and legends for changes.

[@WhispyWoods.]

Great video 👍

[@ghostdreamer7272]

I love showcasing the different artistic interpretations of Balrogs. And just recognition of him, as Sauron played a different role, he and Gothmog were closer to peers than Sauron as clear #2.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@ghostdreamer7272 Gothmog wasn’t Sauron’s peer and it was pretty clear that he was #2 compared to Sauron

[@TsugaC]

Gothmog acted while Sauron schemed. They were peers, but Sauron was "first among equals" as he was a planner and manipulator while Gothmog was a juggernaut of a field commander.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@TsugaC Sauron was higher than him both in rank, power and other positions that you can think of. The idea that Gothmog was his peer is a fandom invention

[@ghostdreamer7272]

@@TsugaC for that very reason, I think Gothmog was at least tied in the “first among peers.” Sauron, after Morgoth returned from Valinor, basically just played mad scientist and just had his little tower. Very, very small scale between Morgoth’s return and his surrender.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@ghostdreamer7272 In comparison Gothmog didn’t have a tower at all

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

Gothmog was briefly conceived as an offspring of Melkor and Ulbandi, an ogress, and went by the name of Kosomot. The root of the name moko translated to "hate".

[@deanzaZZR]

Can any filmmaker or animator do justice to the dreadful beauty of Balrogs riding Dragons into battle in Gondolin?

[@Ericortiz_arts]

I think next to the wizard's, Balrogs are fast becoming my favorite characters. Thanks for the offering.

[@lassesgamekanaal]

I was wondering if you could do a video on Ancalagon the Black. I know you mentioned him briefly in your video on dragons, but id love a video dedicated to him. 🙂

[@honeybadger1810]

Peter Jacksons balrog design is really good, but the book design is really cool as well, the art at 2:19 is more book accurate. It's a tall humanoid thing, with dark skin, surrounded by smoke and flame, with furnace like red eyes. One interesting detail is that the arms are very long, which Tolkien felt was important enough to point out. When wet, the balrog is like a snake like tentacle thingy when it wrestles with Gandalf which makes you wonder what the hell its made of. Flesh? Weird sinewy stringy stuff?

[@Martin-bf3by]

What do you think that 'Venom' is in the trailer? 😉 Your welcome by the way 😂

[@piotrmontgomerytv7786]

Fun fact before Gothmog the leader was Lungorthin who was so huge that he rebelled against Melkor and became his own independent dark lord however his fate is not known likely he settled in east or harad.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@piotrmontgomerytv7786 Interesting where do you read that? As far as I know Lungorthin never rebelled against him. Not to mention that this was an earlier draft

[@piotrmontgomerytv7786]

@oguzhanenescetin5702 I believe it was in one of the history of middle earth books, The Children of Hurin part 2 or something like that.

[@concept5631]

His Tolkien Gateway article doesn't say anything about it.

[@Video456325]

@@piotrmontgomerytv7786yeah no dude. That’s made up Edit: Wanted to clarify that nothing is known about Lungorthin other than the fact he was A lord of balrogs. That’s it, literally no other info

[@glowstickofdestiny1290]

Gothmog only waited until Húrin was disabled to take him captive because he was too afraid of getting Aurë Entuluva'd, change my mind

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@glowstickofdestiny1290 you are completely right because he didn’t face his enemies alone in other examples as well

[@Luke-kj1rj]

he knew day would come again

[@istari0]

There's nothing unusual about great captains having an elite bodyguard to aid and protect them.

[@IanHeins]

Nice work dude thanks

[@EricGasz69420]

You think Fingon would’ve beat Gothmog if the other balrogs didn’t help him out?

[@MenoftheWest]

Potentially, it certainly would have costed him his life too, but it would have been way more balanced for sure!

[@villekuronen6242]

Fingon would have also died but yes he could have beaten Gothmog

[@zachiboi5253]

Should do a theory on "What if Gothmog returned?" It could be either in the 2nd or 3rd age or perhaps in the Fourth Age after Sauron's downfall.

[@ottokarl5427]

It would actually be quite interesting, but mostly because that would probably mean some kind of "Dark Civil War", with Gothmog and Sauron fighting for the title of Dark Lord. Of course Sauron often is called Melkors greates servant, but he was also the last one left after Morgoths defeat. Gothmog and both of the giant dragons (who's name escape me right now) are dead after all at this point, so Sauron could take over the reigns without any real opposition.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@ottokarl5427 I doubt that Gothmog would try to be the Dark Lord. Durins Bane didn’t try to do so after all and even if he tried Sauron would swiftly make him realize that he is the mightier dark lord so no such rivalry happen in the long run

[@aarondemiri486]

Wish we got more on the Lord of the Balrogs.

[@shanenolan5625]

Thank you

[@kaidorade1317]

As the goth kids in South Park would say: “Gothmog is totally goth!”

[@shadowofchaos8932]

If made properly, Gothmog could be an epic villian in a story.

[@mcchungusamungus8011]

Considering how much tragedy and destruction he inflicted in his time, elves might understandably express dismay at the mere mention of Gothmog's name.

[@metalmadness5851]

Just falling into the fountain might have killed both. Balrog's radiate some pretty intense heat, so if Gothmog caused the water to turn to steam the rapid expansion would have crushed both. I believe this is referred to as a "steam explosion."

[@djadamblair1]

I find it interesting that Balrogs are typically shown wielding both an ax and a whip. The whip being more intriguing as it would not seem to do much damage. Is there a symbolic meaning to the whip? Maia were gods among mortals and the whip may have been a visual reminder of their power over men and elves.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@djadamblair1 Whips are actually their primary weapon according to the letters so they are terrifying. Remember that this whips were used to destroy Ungoliants webs which could make even Tulkas blind

[@Insider887]

Personally I think that it would have been better if Turgon was the one to kill Gothmog, that monster had already killed two High Kings of the Noldor one of them being Turgon’s older brother Fingon. It would have been epic for Turgon the Sixth High King of the Noldor to be the one to avenge his brother by finally killing Gothmog in an epic battle in the citadel of the king. Then once Gothmog is dead the tower starts to crumble around Turgon due to all the damage it sustained from the battle, Turgon being exhausted and wounded from the battle is unable to move and dies being crushed by the collapsing tower. As for the other six Balrogs we could have Ecthelion taking out one of them during the invasion of Gondolin using the waters of his fountain but ultimately dying in the process and later after the battle when the refugees are fleeing Glorfindel could take out another balrog before he himself perished like he did in the story. As for the four remaining balrogs, three of them could be killed in the War of Wrath while the last one who would become Durin’s Bane escapes and hides under the mountains before being killed by Gandalf in the Third Age using the same sword Turgon used to kill Gothmog.

[@lassesgamekanaal]

Ah yes, the more interesting Gothmog

[@TheCrazyCanuck420]

Before I read the title I thought this was going to be about general Grevious (look at the video screenshot).

[@ajaydassani9931]

I was thinking about this question. What determined orcish leadership among orcish ranks?

[@licmir3663]

I never imagined the balrogs as huge as the one depicted in the LOTR trilogy, even though we can all agree it has become iconic. Such a huge creature could never be defeated single-handedly as they were by elven lords during the First Age. I pictured them as larger than tall men, but not gigantic as in the film. More like a basketball player in comparison to others, even the elves, who were quite tall. And their power resided more on an irrational fear that they caused on their enemies, not because they had super strength or something like that. It’s like they had an aura of terror, coupled with a demonic appearance that was simply horrifying.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@licmir3663 Balrogs are far more durable and stronger than an average elf. You are true that Silmarillion Balrogs don’t have this but Durins Bane is truly powerful even without his aura of fear. He and the Gandalf fought with 10 days, destroyed mountainsides, created lightning storms, reduced towers to dust. In the case of Balrog he resisted being stabbed by Glamdring countless times, survived the fall from the bridge of Khazad dum, survived any spell Gandalf threw at him and many more. He also took the entire kingdom of the dwarves single-handedly. So he is more than just a fear-inspiring demon. About other balrogs I agree but remember that they were not really that fleshed out. It would be unlikely for elves to defeat them if they were like Durins Bane. Tolkien also addresss this. Size of a Balrog doesn’t matter in its strength too, its spirit does.

[@shard5519]

Can we get videos on the Variags of Khand and the land of Khand

[@azamutu1413]

What did balrogs do on their days off?

[@chinofarmer85]

Sleep?

[@loriswilliams5481]

Goth MOG Goth MOG he's Morgoth man if he can't do it no one can . Go Goth MOG lol 😂

[@ninjammer726]

Please do a video essay on ancalagon and the haradrum😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@JustinBrimhall-q8v]

Didn't Feanor fight all of he Balrogs solo

[@JoeMoody-v3k]

Would have liked to see him in the third age and to see what would have happened like if he would have joined up with Sauron or gone on his own way or have found some where to hide like Durans bane

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

Depends on whether Sauron would find him or not. He most likely would hide since he seem to be pretty cautious when he faces himself with powerful figures and would likely fear that Valar like Durins Bane did

[@JoeMoody-v3k]

@@oguzhanenescetin5702 where would you think be the best place for him to hide in middle earth

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@JoeMoody-v3k Likely the North as this was where Morgoths essence was most dissipated and it would likely attract the attention of him. I dont think he would go that far to the East. Even Durins Bane only got to Khazad Dum and no more

[@JoeMoody-v3k]

@@oguzhanenescetin5702 so basically in the top part of the misty mountains or some part in the blue mountains.just had a thought imagine him trying to hide somewhere in the shire in a hobbit hole 😂

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@JoeMoody-v3k Lol what I meant was that it is most likely to the far North. That is, where the realm of Angmar was made or dragons plagued the lands

[@The-Mstr-Pook]

If Balrogs are Maiar of the same stature as Sauron how come they cannot self recarnate? Sauron survived the destruction of his physical form numerous times. yet Balrogs disappear when slain once? Where does their spirit go once cut asunder from the manifest flesh?

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@The-Mstr-Pook Sauron is far mightier than Balrogs as a Maia so he has more spiritual power to create to himself another body. Yet to be fair in the later versions Balrogs also create themselves bodies after they were killed by the Valar at the siege of Utumno. Sauron still incarnates himself in more occasions tho. Their spirits linger, unable to do anything

[@istari0]

Sauron had the One Ring, which held much his innate power and enabled him to much more easily recreate a physical form.

[@JohnAmidon-c6r]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@zachall101]

What if the city of Gondalin had survived into the 3rd age

[@istari0]

Unless the War of Wrath, which resulted in the sinking of Beleriand, didn't happen, Gondolin could not have survived into the 3rd Age.

[@herbthompson8937]

Hail Ecthelion!!

[@samuelbattershell3413]

I personally think that Sauron allowed the lieutenant of Morgul to have the Gothmog not out of honor but to one more insult to his old political rival.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@samuelbattershell3413 Gothmog wasn’t Sauron’s rival

[@Sofus.]

[@DominusHydra40k]

Ecthelion > Glorfindel. Don't even @ me.

[@chrisdaigle5410]

Glorfindel killed a balrog by throwing him off a cliff. Gandalf broke a bridge and Durin's bane fell. In other words, Balrogs do not have wings.

[@kongspeaks4778]

Maybe Durin's Bane couldn't fly because he had been cooped up in a cave for so long

[@chrisdaigle5410]

@@kongspeaks4778 The wording is "His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings" it said the shadow about it reached out LIKE wings. It was a beast of fire and shadow.

[@kongspeaks4778]

@@chrisdaigle5410 ah okay. I vaguely remember reading about contradictory ideas about balrog wings in the HME series but I could be wrong

[@MadMikeRyan.]

I've have this sketch in my head of if Gandalf ever asked Glorfindel about how he killed a Balrog, and Glorfindel was like "I stabbed it in the heart and threw it off a cliff" and Gandalf was like "Whoa that's metal". And then later that week Gandalf does the exact same thing, and Glorfindel's like "Oh you're such a poser."

[@saladinbob]

I wonder, rather than naming his Lieutenant in honour of the Balrog, did Sauron name him as an insult? It would not be beyond the realms of realism to assume Sauron and Gothmog might have had a rivalry. Just a thought.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@saladinbob Sauron and Gothmog didn’t have a rivalry

[@sid2112]

AND GONE!!!!!!

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

Gothmog wasn’t Morgoths greatest warrior and he cheated in every single fight he was in expect in his fight with Ecthelion where he also died

[@herbthompson8937]

Ummm if you don't think so....then who was????? IMO,, the Balrogs were Morgoths tanks...and Gothmog was their leader, so I don't see how you don't put him as Morgoths best warrior

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@herbthompson8937 Because he couldn’t kill even a single person without others help. Gothmog also belongs to the categories of a Balrog that is still weaker than Tolkiens latest imagination about their power. So Durins Bane is stronger than him. Sauron and Glaurung is also better warriors

[@MalevolentBite]

​@herbthompson8937 probably one of the dragons but gothmong is up there.

[@herbthompson8937]

@@oguzhanenescetin5702 Sauron isn't a warrior....Gothmog would crush Sauron.

[@herbthompson8937]

@@MalevolentBite I'm not counting dragons....they're in a different category altogether to me.

[@EricGasz69420]

First!

[@Sabouma28]

🙄