Origins of the Balrog

Transcribed from a conversation with Tegid Tathal, Temporal Enforcer
Planar Cartography Club, 1110AF

The Embodiments in the void have armies. They also have generals to lead those armies. Those generals are known as Archons, and originally each Embodiment (or Aspect, they are [known] as either) had 8. A long time ago the Aspect of Good sent his most skilled Archon to lead the 7th Contingent, Army of Good. He was to march them to the border of the Plane of Evil, but not to cross that border as void creatures such as the Archons, and [their] Armies, are practically immortal when stood between planes. Each void creature is vulnerable when stood on a plane, and are strongest on their own. So the intent was to march to the border, but not to fight a battle on the Plane of Evil itself.

Golgamoth, then Archon of Evil, stood on the other side of the border leading the Golgothri, Army of Evil.

Whether through arrogance or trickery the Archon of Good did not stay in the void - he crossed the border and [led] the 7th Contingent into Battle against Golgamoth and the Golgothri. And Good lost.

The Archon of Good was imprisoned on the Plane of Evil, and kept by Everon (Aspect of Evil) for 9 days. On the 9th day the Embodiment of Fire visited the Plane and the imprisoned Archon was gifted to him to take back to his Plane of Fire.

There the Archon was tortured by Fire until it became the creature we now call the Balrog, twisted by agony and rage.

Rumour has it that he escaped just prior to the Elder War and at that time became trapped in a construct called the Black Spiral.

Note: The Balrog detects as both Elemental and Daemonic. Interesting perhaps as the Plane of Good (and Evil) Are part of the Daemonic strata whereas the Plane of Fire is Elemental. Alternatively, are all Archons both?