The Windan were a relatively simple culture of cave-dwellers and mountaineers. They settled in small communities in the mountains and foothills. Through contacts with the dwarves and Sindar they learned metalwork and soon became master smiths; the Eölrim in particular were among the greatest smiths of Middle-earth and could compete with their distant relations, the Noldor. Those Windan who settled in the Mountains of Mirkwood became used to the Wood-elves and adopted some of their customs, although they tended to stay among their own kindred and only grundgingly accepted Thranduil's overlordship.