Dark Land: Difference between revisions
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'''Dark Land''', also referred to as '''Southland''', was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of [[Middle-earth]] was part. It laid east of the [[East Sea]].<ref>{{HM|SM}}, "The Ambarkanta"</ref> | '''Dark Land''', also referred to as '''Southland''', was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of [[Middle-earth]] was part. It laid east of the [[East Sea]].<ref>{{HM|SM}}, "The Ambarkanta"</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Due to a complete absence from the [[legendarium]] (apart from a few maps of [[Arda]]), no inhabitants or history of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded. Whether it is (or was) inhabited or not remains completely under speculation. | |||
==Geography== | |||
Dark Land's geography is relatively vague, although certain maps indicate the presence of dense forests along its shores. | |||
==Inspiration== | ==Inspiration== | ||
The position of the Dark Land is reminiscent of the idea of [[Wikipedia:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]]. The Dark Land has no role in the [[legendarium]] and appears only in few early maps by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]. | The position of the Dark Land is reminiscent of the idea of [[Wikipedia:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]]. The Dark Land has no role in the [[legendarium]] and appears only in few early maps by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]. As [[Middle-earth]] may correspond to the real-life continents of Europe, Asia (Rhun), and Africa ([[Harad]]), Dark Land might represent a combination of both Australia and Antarctica, due to the similar positions of the continents on the maps of Arda. But this could be a mere coincidence. | ||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | ==Portrayal in adaptations== | ||
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'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':''' | '''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.<ref>{{ICE|2003}}, pp. 7, 9</ref> A few glimpses of this remote continent, however, were provided: | :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.<ref>{{ICE|2003}}, pp. 7, 9</ref> 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 | *A black cold-drake, Naikamil, fled from mountains in the south of Endor to Mórenorë after killing her mate.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 102</ref> | ||
*[[Ungoliant]], a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",<ref group=note>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]]").</ref> according to tales of the Avari Elves.<ref>{{ICE|2006}}, p. 117</ref> | *[[Ungoliant]], a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",<ref group=note>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]]").</ref> according to tales of the Avari Elves.<ref>{{ICE|2006}}, p. 117</ref> | ||
*Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.<ref>{{ICE|3112}}, p. 117</ref> | *Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.<ref>{{ICE|3112}}, p. 117</ref> | ||
Revision as of 04:16, 20 October 2011
Template:Youmay Template:Noncanon Dark Land, also referred to as Southland, was a mysterious continent far south-east of the landmass of Middle-earth was part. It laid east of the East Sea.[1]
History
Due to a complete absence from the legendarium (apart from a few maps of Arda), no inhabitants or history of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded. Whether it is (or was) inhabited or not remains completely under speculation.
Geography
Dark Land's geography is relatively vague, although certain maps indicate the presence of dense forests along its shores.
Inspiration
The position of the Dark Land is reminiscent of the idea of Lemuria. The Dark Land has no role in the legendarium and appears only in few early maps by Tolkien. As Middle-earth may correspond to the real-life continents of Europe, Asia (Rhun), and Africa (Harad), Dark Land might represent a combination of both Australia and Antarctica, due to the similar positions of the continents on the maps of Arda. But this could be a mere coincidence.
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.[2] 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.[3]
- 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.[4]
- Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.[5]
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
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "The Ambarkanta"
- ↑ 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
