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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42149
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I see, basically, two scenarios how your MC's dark complexion can be relevant and require special description.

- Your MC skin tone is darker than the average, to the point that it might influence the plot;
- Everyone's skin tone is darker than European white, and you want to convey that fact to the reader;

In first case, you can play on contrast between your character's skin tone and the others', invoking adjectives like "dusky" or "swarthy". In second case, you make a brief mention of people's skin color here and there, again playing on contrast with some objects, like white fabric on one's dress. Use of "tanned" can definitely be avoided.

I am wondering what metaphors and similes people of "non-white" cultures are using in their languages to describe dark complexion. In English, "brown" sounds too generic, while "dusky" or "swarthy" seem to have some negative connotations.

Original score: 3