Dark Land: Difference between revisions
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The '''Dark Land''', also referred to as the '''South Land''', was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of which [[Middle-earth]] was part. It laid east of the [[East Sea]].<ref name=AmbarV>{{HM|SM}}, "The Ambarkanta: Map V", pp. 250-1</ref> | The '''Dark Land''', also referred to as the '''South Land''', was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of which [[Middle-earth]] was part. It laid east of the [[East Sea]].<ref name=AmbarV>{{HM|SM}}, "The Ambarkanta: Map V", pp. 250-1</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
No inhabitants or history of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded. | No inhabitants or history of the Dark Land were ever ''officially'' recorded. However, it was probably created during the Siege of [[Utumno]], when Middle-earth was broken up, the Dark Land probably being the last remnants of the Southland<ref>The Ambarkanta, J.R.R. Tolkien</ref>. Ungoliant is said to have gone there soon after she was deprived of eating [[Morgoth]], where one of two things could have happened to her: either Ungoliant finally succumbed to lack of prey and ate herself<ref>The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien</ref>, or she was killed by Eärendil on one of his many voyages <ref>The Book of Lost Tales Part 2, J.R.R. Tolkien</ref>. Either way, it would definitely have been Ungoliant's presence that gave the Dark Land its name, as anyone who has read ''The Silmarillion'' will know that Ungoliant ate light and excreted darkness; imagine her there for nearly a whole age. | ||
==Canonicity and Inspiration== | ==Canonicity and Inspiration== | ||
Revision as of 17:34, 30 September 2015
| Dark Land | |
|---|---|
| Continent | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | South Land |
| Location | Arda, east of Belegaer and Middle-earth |
| Type | Continent |
| Description | A continent in the far east |
| Regions | None known |
| Inhabitants | Unknown |
The Dark Land, also referred to as the South Land, was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of which Middle-earth was part. It laid east of the East Sea.[1]
History
No inhabitants or history of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded. However, it was probably created during the Siege of Utumno, when Middle-earth was broken up, the Dark Land probably being the last remnants of the Southland[2]. Ungoliant is said to have gone there soon after she was deprived of eating Morgoth, where one of two things could have happened to her: either Ungoliant finally succumbed to lack of prey and ate herself[3], or she was killed by Eärendil on one of his many voyages [4]. Either way, it would definitely have been Ungoliant's presence that gave the Dark Land its name, as anyone who has read The Silmarillion will know that Ungoliant ate light and excreted darkness; imagine her there for nearly a whole age.
Canonicity and Inspiration
The Dark Land has no role in the legendarium and appears only in an early map by Tolkien,[1] likely dating from the mid-1930s.[5][6]
Fans have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind this notion:
- the Dark Land as reminiscent of Lemuria.[7]
- the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).[8]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Although never fleshed out in much detail, a "dark continent" called Mórenorë is said to be situated south of Middle-earth, separated by the sea of Haragaer.[9] A few glimpses of this remote continent, however, were provided:
- A black cold-drake, Naikamil, fled from mountains in the south of Endor to Mórenorë after killing her mate.[10]
- Ungoliant, a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",[note 1] according to tales of the Avari Elves.[11]
- Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.[12]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Inspired by a passage in The Silmarillion, which says that Ungoliant went "into the forgotten south of the world", after having dwelt at Nan Dungortheb (cf. "Of the Flight of the Noldor").
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "The Ambarkanta: Map V", pp. 250-1
- ↑ The Ambarkanta, J.R.R. Tolkien
- ↑ The Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien
- ↑ The Book of Lost Tales Part 2, J.R.R. Tolkien
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, pp. 9, 108
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, p. 42
- ↑ Message 35418 (dated 8 May 2009) at Elfling (accessed 20 October 2011)
- ↑ "Dark Land...a continent south of Middle Earth?" at The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza Forum (accessed 20 October 2011)
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr., Jessica M. Ney-Grimm, Terry K. Amthor (1993), Middle-earth Campaign Guide (#2003), pp. 7, 9
- ↑ Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 102
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1993), Valar and Maiar (#2006), p. 117
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Coleman Charlton, Jessica Ney, John Croudis, Keith Robley, Anders Blixt (1990), Gorgoroth (#3112), p. 117
