Was this something else that was scrapped during development? After reading (again) the Legend of Red Eagle and playing both the Forsworn Conspiracy and Rebel's Cairn quest I think so. Then there's Melka the non-hostile Hagraven from Blindcliff Bastion where after deciding to help her you'd all but become her Briarheart Warrior. Also Faolan being the first to intentionally get his heart ripped out a la Lorkhan to become a "spirit of vengeance" is pretty badass and gives more depth to the Reachmen and their practices. Thoughts?

I wouldn't join them. Savages. I do like going axe to axe against them though.

No more savage than Stormcloaks, except the land they actually claim is theirs is indeed theirs. And that they were denied religious freedom by Nords long before the WGC. But sure institutionalize and dehumanize someone and they'll act like animals.

Perhaps the quest-line could involve your character being the "voice" for their people. You would perform certain tasks throughout the world that would help the Forsworn gain back their lost rights and land. Sometimes violence would be necessary against certain branches of power within Skyrim in order to secure the long lost freedoms of the native people.

Don't start it.

Lol, good catch.
Now lets PLAY BALL!

I spit on the Forsworn!

They burn books, and as the True Champion of Hermaeus Mora, I am sworn to destroy them!