I enjoyed the write-up, but I see what you mean about the lack of cultural depth (put most assuredly intended for the deep folk). Also liked what you said about the other comment in terms of cultural motivation. But how they need to survive can play directly into those motivations.
Perhaps people are starting to delve too deeply for minerals and ores, and are encountering these folks in even greater numbers? They see the firearms they possess and are starting to pry into their smything. The priests are nervous it could cause conflict if the don't acquiesce, but would spell ruin if they did.
How they react to such triggers could certainly help broaden their cultural leanings.
I'll definitely check out the link!
And hey, Ich sprache ein bisschen Deutch, so it's all good. Ich habe im hochschule Deutch gelernt, fur vier jahre! The gendering is a bit strange to me, but I got use to it, sort of...