<p>Why would anyone trade with them if they weren't advanced? In fact, HOW could anyone trade with them? The set lore of trading means they must've had something WORTH trading. But in the mod ,we see nothing of value from them. They still use crude weaponry, don't have ANY ranged weapon, and have absolutely nothing of value in their current lands except underground, and in the odd bit of forest, which is quite rare.
For trade, they'd have to be reasonably close to the coastline, or situated along a main road that is used often enough. We see at least a bit of this. They also own a large amount of land as a single coordinated movement against the Taurethrim. What doesn't make sense is that, in their faction stats, they are enemies of not only the tree people, but also Gondor, Rohan, AND EVEN the Rangers of the North. Which means they can travel large distances, and are known to be a threat to the Free Peoples. Which means further, that they aren't a bunch of scattered tribes, but a power of the world, albeit a small one similar to Dunland, or even Bree, but with a LOT more land. None of which could have happened on wooden tools, no ranged weapons, and animal-skin "armor".
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