Dark Land: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-two|the mysterious dark continent|other "Dark Land" in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Mordor]]}} | |||
{{location | |||
| image=[[File:Quentin Lowagie - Arda in the Third Age.png|250px]] | |||
| name=Dark Land | |||
| type=Continent | |||
| location=[[Arda]], east of [[Belegaer]] and the innner East Sea | |||
| inhabitants=Unknown | |||
| realms= None known | |||
| description=A continent in the far south and east | |||
| othernames= South Land | |||
| etymology= | |||
| events= | |||
| references= | |||
|}} | |||
The '''Dark Land''', also referred to as the '''South Land''', was a continent that lay southeast of where the events of the ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' occurred.<ref name=AmbarV>{{SM|A5}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
The Dark Land was created as a byproduct of the [[War for the Sake of the Elves]], in which the [[Valar]] overthrew [[Melkor]] in his original fortress of [[Utumno]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}, First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 293-294</ref><ref>{{SM|5e}}, First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 304-305</ref> Originally, [[Middle-earth]] was one landmass, set between the western sea of [[Belegaer]] and the [[East Sea]].<ref>{{SM|A4}}</ref> This changed during the War, when the inland [[Sea of Ringil]], originally landlocked and set in the mid-south of Middle-earth, grew in size and "became a great sea flowing north-eastward and joining by straights both the Western and Eastern Seas."<ref>{{SM|5b}}, First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 293-294</ref><ref>{{SM|5e}}, First Ballantine Books Edition, p. 305</ref> This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses; the landmass to the south and east of the former of Sea of Ringil (which confusingly was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien) was known as the Dark Land.<ref>{{SM|5e}}, First Ballantine Books Edition, p. 305</ref><ref name=AmbarV /> | |||
No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded. | |||
==Inspiration== | |||
The Dark Land has no role in the [[legendarium]] and is named only in an early map by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]],<ref name=AmbarV /> likely dating to the mid-1930s.<ref>{{HM|LR}}, pp. 9, 108</ref><ref>{{CG|RG}}, p. 42</ref> | |||
[[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind this notion: | |||
*the Dark Land as reminiscent of [[Wikipedia:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]].<ref>[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elfling/message/35418 Message 35418] (dated 8 May 2009) at [[Elfling]] (accessed 20 October 2011)</ref> | |||
*the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).<ref>"[http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=212156 Dark Land...a continent south of Middle Earth?]" at [http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/default.asp The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza Forum] (accessed 20 October 2011)</ref> | |||
==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> | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[Nether Darkness]] | |||
*[[Uttermost East]] | |||
{{references|note}} | |||
__NOTOC__ | |||
[[Category: Locations]] | |||
[[de:Dunkelland]] | |||
[[fi:Musta Maa]] |
Revision as of 00:16, 23 February 2017
Dark Land | |
---|---|
Continent | |
General Information | |
Other names | South Land |
Location | Arda, east of Belegaer and the innner East Sea |
Type | Continent |
Description | A continent in the far south and east |
Regions | None known |
Inhabitants | Unknown |
The Dark Land, also referred to as the South Land, was a continent that lay southeast of where the events of the The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings occurred.[1]
History
The Dark Land was created as a byproduct of the War for the Sake of the Elves, in which the Valar overthrew Melkor in his original fortress of Utumno.[2][3] Originally, Middle-earth was one landmass, set between the western sea of Belegaer and the East Sea.[4] This changed during the War, when the inland Sea of Ringil, originally landlocked and set in the mid-south of Middle-earth, grew in size and "became a great sea flowing north-eastward and joining by straights both the Western and Eastern Seas."[5][6] This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses; the landmass to the south and east of the former of Sea of Ringil (which confusingly was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien) was known as the Dark Land.[7][1]
No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever officially recorded.
Inspiration
The Dark Land has no role in the legendarium and is named only in an early map by Tolkien,[1] likely dating to the mid-1930s.[8][9]
Fans have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind this notion:
- the Dark Land as reminiscent of Lemuria.[10]
- the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).[11]
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.[12] 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.[13]
- 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.[14]
- Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.[15]
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 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map V"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World", First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 293-294
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 304-305
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map IV"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World", First Ballantine Books Edition, pp. 293-294
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", First Ballantine Books Edition, p. 305
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", First Ballantine Books Edition, p. 305
- ↑ 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