I just don't get it.

Now, I'm not a Forsworn fan. Never even attempted their questline. I really can't stand them with their creepy Briarheart zombies, their horrid hagraven leaders, and their bad sense of style. They attack me on the road for no reason whatsoever while I'm out minding my own business. Really can't stand these buggers (not bashing the devs or saying they should be omitted from the game or anything; just don't like them).

So here's what I don't understand. There's tons of ore available out in the Reach, and even their spies have access to it through Holds and towns. Why is their armor and weapons comprised of what looks to be just bone, leather, and what looks like wood/straw?

At least their headdresses look cool.

It looks savage, but it's definitly not weak. I don't know about absolute numbers but I'm sure it's better than stuff most bandits have.
I have seen forsworn mine, but they're not going to get rich - Who would they sell it to? Making heavy armor and weapons seems pointless to me because it only slows you down- You don't see them coming, they strike fast and hard and then disappear into the foggy mountains again. That's how I imagine them.

They probably consider it more accepting of...whatever it is they worship. More in line with that wild mountain man.
Plus you really can't expect an ostracized band of humans living out in BFE and being very xenophobic to be very modernized.

And while they are not elegant, Forsworn weaponry looks like it hurts like hell, and that's more important than looking good.

Dont Dis Hagravens, They are sixy Bird-women.
Forsworn just dont know how to dress.

Forsworn weaponry is actually pretty good, if you compare it to other gear you can get at low levels.

They are Bretons who make stuff themselves. Not a lot of amazing Breton smiths around. Except for player created characters of course.

sixy to Bonehawks...

You just jealous. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/ZoDiaC91/GrannySugar_zps74637378.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/ZoDiaC91/CrankyGrannyApproves_zps0cd80750.jpg

She is sixy.

Because it is easier to potray the Forsworn as savages by giving them the primitive gear, even though the Forsworn (or rather perhaps more appropriately the Reachmen) are not savages at all.