Hey, Gothmog!

[Goblyn]

Guess what: In my DnD3.5 campaign one of the BBEGs was a cleric trying to summon a Balor as part of his Ultimate Plan and I named this balor after you, Gothmog.

Later on(months after the name had been dropped in-game) I was reading the Tolkien Bestiary my brother had given me for christmas and found that Gothmog was originally the name of the king of the balors.

I'm sure you knew this part already, but I didn't. It was a wierd feeling. Maybe 'Gothmog' just rings true as the name of a balor.

 

[Odhanan]

Well, assuming of course Balors are anything like Balrogs. Which I don't think is accurate.

As a matter of trivia, did you know there are actually two beings named Gothmog in Middle-earth? The first one was the chief lieutenant of Thangorodrim and was a Balrog indeed. The other was the Lieutenant of Morgûl appearing in the LOTR, of which practically nothing is known, including "its" species.

 

[Goblyn]

Well, assuming of course Balors are anything like Balrogs. Which I don't think is accurate.

They seem pretty similar to me, but I've not dug too deeply into that.

As a matter of trivia, did you know there are actually two beings named Gothmog in Middle-earth? The first one was the chief lieutenant of Thangorodrim and was a Balrog indeed. The other was the Lieutenant of Morgûl appearing in the LOTR, of which practically nothing is known, including "its" species.

I didn't know. I wonder if this was an oversight, or allusion to something else?

 

[Darth Shoju]

As a matter of trivia, did you know there are actually two beings named Gothmog in Middle-earth? The first one was the chief lieutenant of Thangorodrim and was a Balrog indeed. The other was the Lieutenant of Morgûl appearing in the LOTR, of which practically nothing is known, including "its" species.

I've always assumed he was an orc. If I remember I'll look it up later.

 

[Darth Shoju]

They seem pretty similar to me, but I've not dug too deeply into that.

I think he was being cheeky. They are pretty similar and I'd guess balrogs were the inspiration for balors.

 

[demiurge1138]

I've always assumed he was an orc. If I remember I'll look it up later.

I always assumed he was an orc too. And the Jackson adaptation seems to back that up - the deformed orc general in RoTK is named "Gothmog" in the script and promotional material. And yes, I'd always thought that his name was an allusion to the balrog.

Demiurge out.

 

[Odhanan]

I think he was being cheeky. They are pretty similar and I'd guess balrogs were the inspiration for balors.

It was partly a joke, yes. On the tone at least - I didn't want to appear as lecturing you! I think Gothmog is a cool, really cool name for BBEGs!

Balors are fairly inspired on the Balrogs of Middle-earth, no question about it, but they have nothing more in common. Balrogs are equivalents as servants of Morgoth of the Maiar, servants to the Valar. They aren't "demons" per se. Plus, the actual appearance of Balrogs is highly debatable.

I've always assumed he was an orc. If I remember I'll look it up later.

Sure! You will find no precise indication as to the being's race.

 

[Darth Shoju]

It was partly a joke, yes. On the tone at least - I didn't want to appear as lecturing you! I think Gothmog is a cool, really cool name for BBEGs!

Balors are fairly inspired on the Balrogs of Middle-earth, no question about it, but they have nothing more in common. Balrogs are equivalents as servants of Morgoth of the Maiar, servants to the Valar. They aren't "demons" per se. Plus, the actual appearance of Balrogs is highly debatable.

Well I'd say the balrogs are about as close to demons as you will get in Middle Earth. But their physical appearance is fairly unclear I agree.

Sure! You will find no precise indication as to the being's race.

I'm not disputing your claim, just have to look for myself I guess. *shrug*

 

[Odhanan]

I'm not disputing your claim, just have to look for myself I guess. *shrug*

Argh. Wonders of Internet: I came off as shrugging your comment off, I'm afraid. It wasn't my intention.

 

[Darth Shoju]

Argh. Wonders of Internet: I came off as shrugging your comment off, I'm afraid. It wasn't my intention.

Meh no offence taken.