Dark Land: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-two|the mysterious dark continent|other "Dark Land" in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Mordor]]}} | {{disambig-two|the mysterious dark continent|other "Dark Land" in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Mordor]]}} | ||
{{location | {{location infobox | ||
| name=Dark Land | |||
| image=[[File:Quentin Lowagie - Arda in the Third Age.png|250px]] | | image=[[File:Quentin Lowagie - Arda in the Third Age.png|250px]] | ||
| | | caption="Arda in the Third Age" by Quentin Lowagie | ||
| pronun= | |||
| othernames=South Land | |||
| location=South-east [[Arda]] | |||
| type=Continent | | type=Continent | ||
| | | description= | ||
| | | regions= | ||
| | | towns= | ||
| | | inhabitants= | ||
| | | created= | ||
| | | destroyed= | ||
| events= | | events= | ||
}} | |||
|}} | The '''Dark Land''', also referred to as the '''South Land''', was a continent that lay in south-east [[Arda]].<ref name=AmbarV>{{SM|A5}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
No inhabitants | The Dark Land was created as a by-product of the [[War for the Sake of the Elves]], in which the [[Valar]] overthrew [[Melkor]] in his original fortress of [[Utumno]].<ref name="SM293">{{SM|5b}}, pp. 293-294</ref><ref name="SM305">{{SM|5e}}, p. 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; the inland [[Sea of Ringil]], originally 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 name="SM293"/> This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses, and the landmass to the south and east of the former of Sea of Ringil<ref group=note>Confusingly, the former Sea of Ringil was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien on one early map. See {{SM|A5}}.</ref> was known as the Dark Land.<ref name="SM305"/><ref name=AmbarV /> | ||
No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever recorded. The Dark Land may have been part of the [[Empty Lands]] that [[Ilúvatar]] "cast back" during the [[Downfall of Númenor]].<ref name=LR>{{LR|P1II4}}, p. 32 ("If this region [the [[Empty Lands]]] ... is to be related to Ambarkanta Map V it must be what is there called the ''[[Burnt Land of the Sun]]''; perhaps also ''the Dark Land''[.]")</ref> | |||
== | ==Inspiration== | ||
The Dark Land | The Dark Land 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 | [[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind the Dark Land: | ||
*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 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> | *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> | ||
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*[[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> | ||
In his work ''[[Parma Endorion]]'', [[Michael Martinez]] coined the term ''Hyarmenor'' to refer to the Dark Land.<ref>{{webcite|author=Michael Martinez|articleurl=http://www.frodo.ru/library/tolkien/Essays_on_Middle-Earth.pdf|articlename=Parma Endorion|dated=2001|website=Frodu.ru|accessed=16 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[ | *[[Nether Darkness]] | ||
*[[Land of the Sun]] | |||
{{references|note}} | {{references|note}} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Arda]] | ||
[[de:Dunkelland]] | [[de:Dunkelland]] | ||
[[fi:Musta Maa]] | [[fi:Musta Maa]] |
Revision as of 18:42, 17 February 2019
Dark Land | |
---|---|
Continent | |
"Arda in the Third Age" by Quentin Lowagie | |
General Information | |
Other names | South Land |
Location | South-east Arda |
Type | Continent |
The Dark Land, also referred to as the South Land, was a continent that lay in south-east Arda.[1]
History
The Dark Land was created as a by-product 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; the inland Sea of Ringil, originally 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."[2] This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses, and the landmass to the south and east of the former of Sea of Ringil[note 1] was known as the Dark Land.[3][1]
No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever recorded. The Dark Land may have been part of the Empty Lands that Ilúvatar "cast back" during the Downfall of Númenor.[5]
Inspiration
The Dark Land is named only in an early map by Tolkien,[1] likely dating to the mid-1930s.[6][7]
Fans have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind the Dark Land:
- the Dark Land as reminiscent of Lemuria.[8]
- the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).[9]
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.[10] 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.[11]
- Ungoliant, a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",[note 2] according to tales of the Avari Elves.[12]
- Ninko Goldmaster, a mysterious merchant appearing as a character in an adventure setting, is rumoured to have visited distant lands, including Mórenorë.[13]
In his work Parma Endorion, Michael Martinez coined the term Hyarmenor to refer to the Dark Land.[14]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Confusingly, the former Sea of Ringil was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien on one early map. See J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map V".
- ↑ 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"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World", pp. 293-294
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", p. 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 Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (iv) The further development of The Fall of Númenor", p. 32 ("If this region [the Empty Lands] ... is to be related to Ambarkanta Map V it must be what is there called the Burnt Land of the Sun; perhaps also the Dark Land[.]")
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Michael Martinez, "Parma Endorion" dated 25 April 2001, Frodu.ru (accessed 16 March 2018)