Balrog

"Of all Melkor's Creatures, only Dragons were greater in power."

- Guide to Tolkien's World: A Bestiary, by David Day, page 26

Balrogs, "Demons of Might", are rebel Maiar, lesser spirits that originally served the more power Valar spirits. The Balrogs allied themselves with Melkor/Morgoth, and later Sauron, and due to their alliegance were transformed into powerful demons. Beings made of fire, shadow, and arcane materials, these creatures were winged yet did not fly, and had bodies with eminated fire. The were armed with maces,axes, swords and whips made of fire, the latter weapon of unspeakable destructive powers. These creatures were highly intelligent, lead armies of Melkor into battle, and could shoot fire from their nostrils. After several primeval wars the Balrogs became few i number and dwelt underground, were they await this day for the unlucky fellow to find them, unleashing their evil upon a future generation...