Balin, son of Fundin

Encountering Balin

According to his nature as a wanderer and his duty as a messenger of Dáin, Balin is often on the road, travelling across Wilderland and Eriador. He sometimes journeys with Gandalf, to suit his own or the Wizard’s purposes. Balin enjoys his visits to the Shire to see his dear old friend Bilbo Baggins, and out of a general fondness for Hobbits and their excellent hospitality. He also goes to the Blue Mountains regularly, to work with the Dwarves residing there.

Balin is unusually woodcrafty for a Dwarf, adept at tracking, fire-making, and pathfinding. He often serves as a lookout and takes pride in his acute sight. Balin knows well the regions he traverses when he journeys from Erebor to the Blue Mountains, having made the trip several times, though he prefers not to cross Mirkwood, even to this day.

One might encounter Balin in a small inn along the way between Erebor and the Blue Mountains, camping in the wild near the road, or sharing a pipe with old friends. He is generous to a fault, kind of spirit, and easily the wisest and best of those who reclaimed the Lonely Mountain. He may accompany a group of adventurers if their purposes align, or even for a while if they are going roughly in the same direction.

Balin as a Patron

Unlike many Dwarves, Balin is genuinely interested in other folks and takes kindly to Hobbits especially. Of the Dwarves of Thorin’s Company, Balin is the only one still associating with Gandalf long after the death of Smaug, as he shares the Wizard’s concern about the growing Shadow.

In addition to that, Balin aims to restore the strength and prominence of the Dwarves in Eriador, whether through direct action, or by setting into motion agents who might affect the change he wishes to see. Like all his folk, he hates Orcs and their ilk, and seeks in every way to drive them back wherever he can. His adventuring has made him wiser and more cautious though, and he often counsels patience and observation as a tactic, versus rash or violent action.

Balin is eager to know anything that can be learned regarding Dwarf-holds fallen to the Enemy, and actively encourages his allies to scout those places or rid them of any foul denizens therein. In particular, Balin is interested to find out all he can about Moria, where his father was slain. Together with two of his fellow survivors of Thorin’s company — Ori and Óin — he speaks often about entering Khazad-dûm and exploring it. So far, King Dáin of Erebor has cautioned them against such an endeavour, though it is clear that they are not to be dissuaded.