Dark Land

2011-10-20T04:16:39Z

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{{youmay|mysterious dark continent|[[Mordor]], which means "Dark Land"}}
{{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]].<ref>{{HM|SM}}, "The Ambarkanta"</ref>
==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 [[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==

'''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:
*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>
*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>

{{references|note}}
[[Category:Non-Canon Locations]]
[[de:Dunkelland]]
[[fi:Musta Maa]]

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Dark Land