Elderling Creations Theory (Spoilers through all the books and Dragon Haven)

[Chrischa]

I too think that the Skill is more than just a side effect of dragon contact (also of Sa etc) but I am also of the belief that the Skill did appear in the Rain Wilds early on but it was not and still is not 'known' as Skill (a couple of other posts elsewhere reflect my thoughts on this)...if it is the Skill that allowed Fitz to bring forth the memories locked previously into the memory stone at Kelsingra and also upon the Skill Road etc, then it could also stand to reason that it was the Skill that was being experienced/harnessed by ones such as Lady Carrock, Reyn and Malta etc in Trehaug?

I found Selden Vestrits' reaction when he came to Buckkeep very telling; when Fitz and Dutiful Skilled to each other, Selden startled as if he suddenly heard voices in his head and didn't know where they came from.

So my thought is that everyone in that world has the Skill to some extent, but they don't even know anything is going on. The Outislanders repress it as dirty magic, the Jamaillans (and with them all the lands under their influence) see it as communications with Sa, and the Rain Wilds simply don't know what it is. I believe the Six Duchies is the only land that has even recognized that there is such a thing as the Skill, and they are the only ones who have actively pursued any training in it.

Very good point indeed about She Who Remembers and the Others, that makes so much sense!