Balrog size - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mister Underhill*** · 02-05-2002, 03:39 PM

And you used to accuse me of fuzzy math, BW! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Trying to apply the laws of physics to a wizard engaged in a duel or guess the mass of a spirit of flame and shadow is fun but speculative at best. But I didn’t post just to rain on the parade – something jumped out at me while glancing over Gandalf’s account of his struggle with the Balrog. Why would Durin’s Bane (who knew all “the secret ways of Khazad-dûm”) flee “to the highest peak” of the Dwarven mansions – unless he thought he had a shot at making a flying escape? Wouldn’t he just be hopelessly cornering himself otherwise? If unable to fly, wouldn’t he have done better to try to race Gandalf to a conventional exit so as to make his getaway?

Why didn’t he fly away, then? Gandalf was close on his heels, and smote him with lightning during their battle – not exactly optimum flying conditions. Eventually the wings became so battle-damaged that Gandalf was able to throw him down to his ruin.

Now that’s fuel for the fire!
[img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

02-05-2002, 03:39 PM	#15
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	And you used to accuse me of fuzzy math, BW! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Trying to apply the laws of physics to a wizard engaged in a duel or guess the mass of a spirit of flame and shadow is fun but speculative at best. But I didn’t post just to rain on the parade – something jumped out at me while glancing over Gandalf’s account of his struggle with the Balrog. Why would Durin’s Bane (who knew all “the secret ways of Khazad-dûm”) flee “to the highest peak” of the Dwarven mansions – unless he thought he had a shot at making a flying escape? Wouldn’t he just be hopelessly cornering himself otherwise? If unable to fly, wouldn’t he have done better to try to race Gandalf to a conventional exit so as to make his getaway? Why didn’t he fly away, then? Gandalf was close on his heels, and smote him with lightning during their battle – not exactly optimum flying conditions. Eventually the wings became so battle-damaged that Gandalf was able to throw him down to his ruin. Now that’s fuel for the fire! [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]