Was the Balrog drawn by the ring?

[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.

[Tar-Jêx]

Ok, so while we can't agree on whether the ring tempted the Balrog, which I don't think it did, I am fairly sure it knew of its existence and was less of 'drawn to it', but more of 'aware of it and trying to take it to its master'.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Tar-Jêx

Ok, so while we can't agree on whether the ring tempted the Balrog, which I don't think it did, I am fairly sure it knew of its existence and was less of 'drawn to it', but more of 'aware of it and trying to take it to its master'.

There is no indication anywhere that the balrog knew anything about the ring, was aware of its making or that Sauron was its owner. The balrog had been hiding in Moria for ages, and, at least technically speaking, Morgoth was the balrog's master, not Sauron.

I doubt the balrog would return the Ring to Sauron if he got hold of it. Why should he? Balrogs were not pawns like the Nazgul, they were Maiar.

[Belegorn]

Balrogs and Sauron = peers under Morgoth. If the Balrog took the Ring I'd think he'd keep it for himself. I also think the Ring could effect other Maiar, it certainly even had an effect on its maker. This is why the Wise would not try to use it to fight Sauron. It was quite dangerous. I'm not sure the extent of it's influence. Like could it even bring out this nature of dominating in even more powerful spirits such as the Valar? I do not know. Certainly it would not be a danger for them to face Sauron with the Ring because they could overpower him, whereas his peers would be in greater danger trying to take Sauron out with the Ring.