
Originally Posted by
Vaedan
As for the humans, gnomes, I agree that there is no evidence that dark skin is something against lore, but there are now more features which points out to certain ethnics. This is something which has not been explored in Warcraft before, so it is natural that community asks if it is based by lore - is my black or asian human coming from some specific place? Does he/she has specific culture? The answer from Blizzard is no. It is there purely for the purpose to let players create more detailed and nuanced character. There is no asian human kingdom, and probably there will not be.
Blood elves and dwarves on the other hand are another story. Black skinned dwarves were always only Dark Irons and it was one of their core thematics which differentiate them amongs other clans. Blood elves are clearly described as fair skinned, both by lore sources, and even by Word of God, as you call it. You even have it in your signature. There are hints that usage of fel magic darkens skin of blood elves to some extent, but I am not sure if it is cannon. That is actually something that need explanation, since we have a race, described as pale, in contrast to their ancestors, which used to have darker skin and so far, it was one of the difference between night elves and blood elves. To be honest, I don't mind adding black skin tones to blood elves, but I think it could use little explanation. Only claiming it is due to sunwell's influence could be enough, since it is font of holy energy now, and blood elves are clearly defining themselves as "Sun elves" now, but right now, we don't have any explanation why all of sudden blood elves got dark skin, while it was previously stated they are pale.
What I meant is that if blood elves get new identity of Sun elves, or to be more accurate, if their current identity of sun elves is further developed, it is natural evolution of Sin'dorei. It does mean that Blizzard can develop another theme to differentiate blood and void elves. I can easily picture blood elves in more tanned tones, using red, gold and green colours and fully embracing the light, and on the other hand pale void elves in blue, silver and purple palette.
I don't think void elves will actually get full palette of human like skin tones, but getting some is not that unimaginable, especially if we get new lore which support it, like void elves guiding those high/blood elven initiates in Telogrus to the transformation similar to those of Alleria. Perhaps moving their skin tones more to the night elves is more possible. You never know if something that happens or not, but it is possibility. We can discuss the odds of such implementation, but it will be still only discussion based on our personal opinions. It can easily happen. There are hints from Blizzard that it is likely void elves will get some form of "high elf" customization. We don't know what it will look like, and if Blizzard decides to do so, they can easily produce new lore to validate that addition. I agree with you that for some people, even high elf customization on void elves will not be enough, but still it is now the most appropriate way of giving high elf community the option to play the fantasy they want, and not adding another elf race.