Dori

Dori came from a clan of dwarves known as the Durin’s Folk. He and his brothers, Ori and Nori, accompanied Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins on the Quest for Erebor. Their group was known as Thorin’s Company. The quest aims to recapture the Lonely Mountain from the Dragon Smaug. Thorin mentioned that he considered Dori to be the strongest one among the group. Dori was described as a decent person even though he always grumbles. It was said that he was fond of wearing a red-violet cloak during the Quest for Erebor.

Dori and his brothers lived in Thorin’s place, located in the Blue Mountains. It was in TA 2941 when he joined Thorin’s company that he befriended Bilbo Baggins. During the quest for Erebor, Thorin’s company encountered a group of goblins in the Misty Mountains. Dori was tasked to carry Bilbo as they tried to find a way out of the tunnels. However, during their escape, Dori accidentally released Bilbo. Gandalf and the rest of the company blamed Dori for that since Bilbo was assigned to be the “burglar” of the quest. When they were escaping from the Orcs and the Wargs [1] later on the quest, Dori was able to redeem himself as he saved Bilbo by helping him climb a tree. Later, Bilbo rescued Dori with the help of the Great Eagles [2], who took them to their eyrie in the Misty Mountains. At the end of the quest for Erebor, he settled in the Lonely Mountain, where he enjoyed his part of the treasure.

After the quest, Dori fought in the Battle of Five Armies. When the battle was over, Dáin Ironfoot gave him his share of the loot. With the earned treasure, he settled in Erebor, where he was able to live an abundant life. He was still around during the Council of Elrond [3] and the War of the Rings. It has also been said that Dori was also around during the Battle of Dale. His death is still unknown, but it is estimated that Dori passed away during the Fourth Age.

Dori is most likely to mean “auger-man” or “borer.”

• The Hobbit film trilogy by Peter Jackson. In the movies directed by Peter Jackson, actor Mark Hadlow portrays the character of Dori. The film studio, Warner Bros, described Dori as a distant relative of Thorin Oakenshield. As the eldest, he often protects his brothers, especially Ori. He was also described as someone who is very pessimistic - he always expects the worst thing to happen. But even so, he is still prepared to risk his life to fulfill his duty.
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: A Visual Companion. Here, writer Jude Fisher pictures Dori as someone who thinks of himself as a sophisticated man who is fond of fine clothes, good wine, and beautiful jewelry. Despite his fondness for lavish things, there was no doubt that he was good at wielding his sword and flail. He was one of the most menacing fighters in Thorin’s company.
• The Hobbit (1977 Animated Film). In the 1977 animated film The Hobbit by Rankin and Bass, Dori is one of three dwarves in Thorin’s company that gets to speak and interact with the main characters regularly. In this film, Dobi was voiced by John Stephenson.
• The Hobbit (1968 Radio Series). There was also a radio series version of The Hobbit released in 1968. Alexander John lends his voice to give life to Dori in this series.

Video Games

• The Hobbit. In this video game released in 2003, Dori was portrayed as a dwarf with an extensive brown beard and no mustache. His character appears in Lake Town, and you can see him beside Bilbo Baggins stuck in a fir tree – just like in the novel.
• The Lord of the Rings Online. In this 2007 video game, you meet Dori is a character that you will meet in the Blue Mountains. He is introduced as Erebor’s high hoard seeker. Here, the Dourhands captured Dori and the gems that he was carrying for the Dwarves of Othrikar. The player is given the quest to rescue him. Dori also appears in the Introduction questline. You can see him at Thorin’s Gate. When you are done with the Sauron’s Fall chapter, you will still encounter Dori in different places in Erebor. You also meet him leading an expedition to rescue Nori in Ered Mithrin.
• LEGO The Hobbit. In this game, you meet Dori as a young dwarf in the Fall of Erebor level.

1. ^Orcs and the Wargs.
2. ^The Great Eagles.
3. ^Council of Elrond.