Small, random questions about RotE that still bother you (spoilers all RotE books)

['thul]

Considering the type of terrain described in the books, it would not be likely that they are of such skin tones. The culture, climate, nature and wildlife of the six duchies is typical of "high Fantasy", which tends to use near-european looks for most, though other types of humans may often pop up, sometimes as foreigners.

It would seem more likely that the "dark of skin" is a general tan and weathered skin type, whereas the culture of the mountain people is different, and may potentially have less sun exposure of the type that gives a tan, thus pale. If you compare northern europeans with southern europeans you will generally find that skin is slightly darker in the south than in the north. The same effect is likely between Six duchies and the mountain kingdom.