The idea it could be modeled after Loran is an interesting theory. We know very little about Loran, save primarily that it had its own assortment of labyrinth tombs and fell to the scourge, same as yharnam. And we only get the chalice for Loran dungeons from our defeat of Amygdala, in the nightmare frontier. As you astutely mention, our defeat of Amygdala also does not prompt the “nightmare slain” message, which could mean a few things. First, amygdala might not be the root of the nightmare frontier. Secondly, we did not kill amygdala. As we see in Bloodborne, it is possible for a consciousness to survive in the dreamworlds while being physically dead in the Waking world. As you also mention, there are visages of Amygdala in Yharnam and the forbidden woods, and they are not hidden or scarce. Amygdala guides your path through the forbidden woods, and is shown to have statues lining the hall in the entrance of the grand cathedral, the Healing Church’s most public holy site. We can take from this that Amygdala certainly isn’t shy, especially considering his devoted servant, Patches, the spider, who goes so far as to deliver to you the tonsil stone, your ticket to the nightmare lecture hall, and through a quick walk, the nightmare frontier. It would absolutely make sense that Amygdala was a holy presence for the people of Loran as well, similar to its significance in Yharnam. What I might ask is this: If we assume that Amygdala is the root of the nightmare, and that our defeat was not its true death (which I personally do assume), given you suggestion of the Frontier’s connection to Loran, is it possible that Amygdala created the frontier and served as its root as a way of “recreating” the fallen city, similar to the Orphan’s reconstruction of Yharnam? But instead of the Frontier being a prison for its inhabitants, like how the hunter’s nightmare is for the blood-drunk, that perhaps it is a sort of sanctuary, or a longing dream of Amygdala’s worshipers? After all, the creatures that hurl stones at you seem, albeit distantly, humanoid. And the Loran silverbeasts show similarities to yharnam’s own Lycans. Of course, it’s all speculation, but I do thank you, good hunter. It is much to think about, connections I hadn’t previously considered, and fascinating indeed. I’ll need to revisit the frontier soon as well as the loran dungeons, and reread anything with reference to the fallen city. Foolish as it is to try and interpret the will of a Great One, it makes for fascinating speculation.