Forest People
 

For the forest people, instead of using swords, canes/staffs/spears would be much more appropriate, since they can also double as a shield (that is until they break). Also combining a cane/staff/spear with a iron/diamond/durby/whatever is mineable should make it stronger.

Also, if this system was implemented, i'd also strongly suggest the staff be weaker than the sword, but the forest people walk faster because they are carrying less.

mmm

more to come when I can organize my thoughts.