I had a feeling that they want the setting to be for everyone. I also heard a rumor that the original Cyradon was a little darker, and they toned it down a bit. But I could be wrong on that point. Rumors are rumors after all.
I like all of the points you made, and think they would all do to help block out some of the brightness, hehe.
I just see utter evil in the base of the mountain that is slowly bubbling up to the surface. I like the idea that perhaps some of the Royal Roads lead to some darn right messed up places, and when they began to work again, some of these doorways that should have been sealed up for good, perhaps, opened up, letting in all sorts of nastiness to twist and distort the already twisted and distorted beings living beneath the ruined city of Belynar.
I guess what I want is the way that the World of Darkness line describes their setting, as normal, but just a bit darker in almost every way conceivable. I want my version of Gryphon World to be like that, darker than what is actually published.
In my game I have the Schirae Elves doing all sorts of wicked things to normal elven children, turning them into monstrosities with a blend of arcane curses, and an artifact drilled into the backs of their necks and heads. They kidnap the kids, and adults to practice on. Those that have survived, or escaped, tell dark tales, if they can speak at all...
On Cairnus Island north of Cyradon, I have the puppet government taking a "blood tax" on the populace. Chosen by lots, random people are taken prisoner to give their life up for their rulers. Non are sure what they are used for exactly, or what they need that much blood for, but let's just say, it isn't pretty... I took what was written about Cairnus Island in the Cyradon book, and multiplied it by about a factor of 100. hehe.