Durin's Folk

Durin's folk is the most important folk of Dwarves.

Durin's folk were by right the inhabitants of Khazad-dûm, also called the Longbeards. They also claimed Mount Gundabad as a home, until this was conquered by Orcs. Their first King was Durin the Deathless.

In the later half of the Third Age, up to the time of the Quest of Erebor, most Dwarves of Durin's Folk lived in exile, as both Khazad-dûm and Erebor were lost. The greater part of the people lived in the Ered Mithrin, but a smaller group lived as exiles in the west near the ruins of Belegost. The remnants of the royal house were among them. Durin's Folk was reunited when Dáin II, Lord of the Ered Mithrin, became King of Erebor in 2941 T.A..

The Dwarves of Durin's Folk were ruled by six kings named Durin. More than just a succession of fathers and sons, this Durin was seen as a reincarnation of his previous self, and had memories of his earlier lives. This lasted until Durin VI, who was killed by Durin's Bane in 1980 of the Third Age. After him Durin did not return to his people for many years, until in the Fourth Age a Durin VII appeared, descendant of Thorin III son of Dáin II Ironfoot, and a descendant in direct line from Durin the Deathless. Durin VII would become known as Durin the Last.

Line of Durin's folk

 * Durin I (The Deathless), father of Dwarves. Founder and first King of Khazad-Dûm.
 * Durin II–V, Durin Reincarnated.
 * Durin VI descendant of Durin V. He was killed by Durin's Bane in 1980 T.A.
 * Náin I son of Durin VI. Last King of Khazad-Dûm, he was killed by Durin's Bane in 1981 T.A.
 * Thráin I son of Náin I. Founded Erebor as King under the Mountain in 1999 T.A.
 * Thorin I son of Thráin I. He left Erebor for the Ered Mithrin
 * Glóin son of Thorin I
 * Óin son of Glóin
 * Náin II son of Óin
 * Dáin I son of Náin II. Last King of all of Durin's folk, he was killed by a cold-drake in 2589 T.A.
 * Thrór son of Dáin I. Returned to Erebor as King under the Mountain, and tried to reclaim Moria. Was killed by Azog the Orc in 2790 T.A. (Start of the War of Dwarves and Orcs)
 * Thráin II son of Thrór, King in Exile. Lived in or near the ruins Belegost in the Ered Luin. He died in the dungeons of Dol Guldur in 2850 T.A., and was the last holder of the Last Ring of the Dwarves.
 * Thorin II Oakenshield son of Thrain II. He refounded Erebor, but was killed in the Battle of Five Armies in 2941 T.A.. He was never crowned King, but claimed the title King under the Mountain (and did in fact have right to it after refounding Erebor).
 * Dáin II Ironfoot (son of Grór, younger brother of Thráin II). He became King under the Mountain as well as King of all Durin's Folk after Thorin's death.
 * Thorin III Stonehelm became king when Dáin was killed in the War of the Ring in 3019 T.A.

A son or later descendant of Thorin III was Durin VII the Last, who refounded Khazad-dûm.