The Pale is one of the nine Holds of Skyrim. It is one of the four oldest holds in Skyrim, known collectively as Old Holds.[1]. Its unique shape resembles that of a boot. Its coat of arms is a four pointed star.
The Pale is located in the central northern area of Skyrim and extending to the northern coast where Dawnstar is situated. The hold borders Hjaalmarch to the west, Whiterun to the south, and Winterhold and Eastmarch to the east. Most of the region is treacherously cold, pine forests stand straight facing the harsh winds whipping down the mountians. Only the southernmost part of the hold towards Whiterun becomes grassy plains.
Lore
Dawnstar, capital of the Pale Hold, sits on Skyrim's northern coastline, halfway between Winterhold and Solitude. Because of the glacial icefields just to the east, it is the last port before Windhelm that is not icebound. Dawnstar's economy is driven by its two mines, and the people of Dawnstar often find meaning in the stones. Like their leader, Jarl Skald the Elder, they stand unbreakable and firm despite all their troubles. Residents of the city fight the weather, the beasts, and raiders every day in order to keep goods and ore flowing into and out of their port and market.
The version of the map of Skyrim in the image above labels the Pale as "White Shore"; this was presumably Bethesda's original name for the Hold. In the Russian localization, this Hold is still named "Белый Берег" (Beliy Bereg "White Shore").
