This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Etrangere: I'm very confused about this entry. Does it refer to a dimension/plane inside the setting which is an archetypal reflection of the real world of the setting, or does it refer to settings which use archetypes/tropes like the Mordor and Dystopia exemples?
Shire Nomad: I think it's any setting in the story which is meant to contrast another setting in the same story by being (visibly) darker and eviler.
Fast Eddie: Yes. Mordor versus The Shire.
Etrangere: Thank you, that makes more sense to me now :) (although it still needs more examples).
Sonica: The title keep on reminding me of the Shadowlands from Deltora Quest series. I think it fits, as the Shadow Lord's domain of slaves, beast and less-than-hospitable land contrasts with Deltora under a rightful King who wears the Belt. Though, more examples would help a lot.
DanaO: A possibly more metaphorical example which doesn't seem to quite fall under any listed subcategory: the Land of Shadow from Zork III. Geographically it's arguably the kinds of terrain of the previous games, only darker, empty of apparent puzzles or treasures, and with the creepiness turned up. Based on what happens there and its function in the game, it serves a similar purpose to the cave of Dagobah in Star Wars: a background to allow the player's own shadow self to emerge, both externally and internally, with the latter being the more significant - this is where behaving like the adventurer you've been in the prequels gets you in trouble. I'm hesitant to try adding it to the main Shadowland page, though, and there are enough examples of regions which bring out their occupants' darker qualities that that's probably a trope of its own.
