This is the text from Maddening Darkness:
Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to fill
a 60—foot—radius sphere until the spell ends. The darkness spreads
around corners. A creature with darkvision can’t see through this
darkness. Nonmagical light, as well as light created by spells of 8th
level or lower, can't illuminate the area. Shrieks, gibbering, and mad
laughter can be heard within the sphere. Whenever a creature starts
its turn in the sphere, it must make a Wisdom saving throw, taking 8d8
psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
This is the text from Darkness:
Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to f
ill a 15-foot radius sphere for the duration. The darkness spreads
around corners. A creature with darkvision can’t see through this
darkness, and nonmagical light can’t illuminate it.If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that
isn’t being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and
moves with it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an
opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness.If any of this spell’s area overlaps with an area of light created by
a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is
dispelled.
Maddening Darkness doesn't specify that you can cast the spell on an object, but it uses the same wordage "from a point you choose within range". Can you interpret this to mean that Maddening Darkness can also be cast on an object?
Best Answer
No, Maddening Darkness has a fixed position
This is a case of Specific vs General
The general rule is that when you cast a spell, its area of effect is fixed. Once you select its point of origin, it stays there.
This clearly indicates that, unless a spell explicitly says otherwise, a "point you choose within range" is a point in space. This is seen in spells like Fog Cloud, Create Bonfire, etc.
Some spells, such as Darkness, Anti-magic zone, Aura of Life, etc. invoke the exception to make the point of origin an object or creature that can move, taking the spell with it. Every such spell explicitly states what the target can be and that the spell "moves with [you/it]."
If Maddening Darkness could be relocated by aiming it at an object, and then moving that object, the spell would explicitly say so. Without a specific override, Maddening Darkness is subject to the general rule that your target is a 'point in space.'