Was the Balrog drawn by the ring?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

It's a good example of why the Istari were cloaked; evidently the Balrog did not innately perceive Gandalf as a danger or it might have confronted him the first time he entered Moria.

Aragorn said he had been in Moria before as well, yet he had no knowledge of the Balrog.

[FerniesApple]

yes it was probably the Ring, but if you walk past a sleeping tiger its best not to poke it in the nose. I think it was awoken by too much noise. It could have been attracted to a heady cocktail of Ring, Istari, Elf and Isildurs heir. it could 'smell' them,

[Tar-Jêx]

I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring.
Durin's Bane would have most likely been stirred up by the commotion caused by the Fellowship and goblins, and possibly Gandalf's use of magic.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring.
Durin's Bane would have most likely been stirred up by the commotion caused by the Fellowship and goblins, and possibly Gandalf's use of magic.

You'd think though that Gandalf had probably used 'magic on his earlier time in Moria, at least with staff-lighting. Yet it seems the Balrog at that time was either afraid, disinterested, or unaware that an intruder was about.

[Tar-Jêx]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

You'd think though that Gandalf had probably used 'magic on his earlier time in Moria, at least with staff-lighting. Yet it seems the Balrog at that time was either afraid, disinterested, or unaware that an intruder was about.

It may be possible that the Balrog was not drawn to the power of the ring as such, but aware of it.

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring.

But why wouldn't a Maia be influenced by the Ring? Gandalf was a Maia and was tempted by it, and it was made by Sauron, who was a Maia and probably a much more powerful Maia than the Balrog.

The Ring didn't retain any of Sauron's mind or personality, did it? It was just some of his innate power. Was it not more malevolent-by-design and by nature rather than because of its derivation from Sauron? In addition to the Morgoth-element of gold of course. The power of the Ring, despite deriving from Sauron's spirit, seems to be more generic spiritual potency to me. I'm trying to think of an analogy for this but I'm struggling.

[PrinceOfTheHalflings]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

But why wouldn't a Maia be influenced by the Ring? Gandalf was a Maia and was tempted by it, and it was made by Sauron, who was a Maia and probably a much more powerful Maia than the Balrog.

Saruman (also a Maia) was tempted by the Ring too ... and he never even got near it!

So let's dismiss the idea that a Maia wouldn't be influenced/tempted.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by PrinceOfTheHalflings

Saruman (also a Maia) was tempted by the Ring too ... and he never even got near it!

So let's dismiss the idea that a Maia wouldn't be influenced/tempted.

For that matter, Gandalf knew that he would have been incapable of resisting the Ring; he was afraid to even take it from Bilbo to give to Frodo.

[Morthoron]

I believe the balrog became furious when he overheard the Fellowship muddled in that stale old debate regarding "wings or no wings". There is just so much a balrog can take.

[Leaf]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

I believe the Balrogs are maia, and therefore would not be influenced by the ring.
Durin's Bane would have most likely been stirred up by the commotion caused by the Fellowship and goblins, and possibly Gandalf's use of magic.

My problem with this answer is that I find it kind of strange that Balin's Colony could live and labour in Moria for about 5 years without getting attacked by the Balrog. Im pretty sure their digging and mining caused a bigger commotion than anything the fellowship has done. As I said before it is unclear if the Balrog even took part in the final battle against Balin's Colony. Apart from this I find this systematical rating of supernatural beings and powers way too rigid. This ranking simplifies the individual relationships between characters whilst not offering any explanation aside from it's own inherent hierarchy. IIRC the Balrog is never called a "Maia" in the LotR. Neither is Sauron, or Gandalf. One should be able to answer this question with the information given to us within this very novel.