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SCP-1179 is not a Balrog, though Tolkien did use Norse mythology as a source for his Balrogs the same as I did. Case of two different authors using the same source material.
I think you're missing the point here - Gandalf is currently fighting an ancient demon in the heart of a coal mine in Pennsylvania.
So this:
Eyewitnesses cannot agree whether or not it has wings.
isn't a reference to the LotR fandom's eternal argument about whether or not Balrogs have wings?
I was thinking the same thing.
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I did look at a bunch of different mythological fire demons, ultimately choosing to go with the Norse jotun Surtr as my primary inspiration. I did see Balrogs in my research, but decided I didn't just want to transplant a beastie from a relatively modern and VERY popular mythos.
(account deleted)I like the concept, as much as I hate IRL back story SCPs.
I'm upvoting, but some of the wording is awkward and the formatting is painful.
I had planned to do a Centralia SCP one of these days. This is well-done.
(See what I did there? A play on words. How droll I am.)
Don't you mean how troll you are?
It's a pun based around the fact that it was inspired by Viking mythology, using a different Norse mythological creature. No, I am not calling you a troll. Yes, this is a disclaimer.
Hmm. Not sure about this one. The general idea is great, but unfortunately Lord of the Rings is entirely too popular, and a lot of people will read this as "it's a Balrog". I know you based the creature on a fire giant, but most people aren't going to know that. I'd really recommend dropping the whip and the sword from the description. Additionally, I like the idea that people simply cannot agree on what it looks like now it's no longer dormant, and having a wide range of descriptions - some of which are clearly something other than a Balrog - might help.
Other than that - and the line "become invisible and without form, appearing as a giant flying shade", which doesn't sit well with me for some reason - I like this.
That was my initial thought as well, but then seeing it connected to the Burning Mines in Centralia I thought "well maybe not." Frankly I enjoy it, but I can see why the LotR connection probably won't go away.
Now I'm not saying it's a Balrog…but it's a Balrog.
Technically, it's not a Balrog any more than any random elven archer is Legolas, any long-bearded wizard is Gandalf, or any underground Dwarven ruin are the Mines of Moria. Hell, the author himself said that he based it off the old legend that basically WAS the inspiration for the Balrog.
Sorry for necroposting, but I would like to notice, that "Balrog" isn't a name of singular entity. Balrogs are spirits of fire corrupted by Morgoth (one of non-corrupted fire spirit, Arien, became Sun itself). There are named Balrogs, for example Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs. So "Balrog" is closer to "elf" or "wizard" than to "Legolas" and "Gandalf".
Downvoting. It's a balrog, no matter what the author claims.
Look, man. Just take out the whip and the reference to the wings/no wings debate, and there won't be any question about it being the Balrog. Even if that's not what you intended, that's what people are getting out of the article. That's not their fault for being poor readers, but your fault of not sufficiently conveying that it ain't a Balrog.
Not downvoting, and I get that there is a reason that it has a whip and a sword, but for some reason the fact that it has a whip and a sword is killing it for me.
Look, man. Just take out the whip and the reference to the wings/no wings debate, and there won't be any question about it being the Balrog. Even if that's not what you intended, that's what people are getting out of the article. That's not their fault for being poor readers, but your fault of not sufficiently conveying that it ain't a Balrog.
Seconding all of this. There's no reason it has to have the whip or a sword (or for you to specifically namecheck the Great Balrog Wings Debate), and those elements hurt the piece because they seem like cheesy pop culture references. Is that fair? No. Is it true anyway? Yes.
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page revision: 2, last edited: 15 Jan 2023 15:06
