The Outer Dark

The Outer Dark is akin to a Lovecraftian nightmare. It is a place that is incomprehensible by a mortal brain, especially those of normal humans, elves, orcs, etc. Those who enter the Outer Dark can become corrupted, diseased, maimed by a creature of the Outer Dark, driven completely insane, or killed. Any buildings and landscapes within the Outer Dark are from destroyed worlds pulled in by horrible beasts.

The Outer Dark exists outside the normal realm of time. The Grove and The Exiled Lands themselves live within "protected pockets" of the Outer Dark. Map Rooms and Portals use something similar to these protected pockets for magical travel.

If you speak to Razma after obtaining her key, she will talk about the Outer Dark. This means that just simply looking into the Outer Dark drove her to a point of madness to where the Witch Queen took over her mind and body.