Regarding the fact that there are no dwarves on the map—I think they are deep underground... and therefore don't interfere in the affairs of the world :) (like the black dwarves in "Henna's Adamant"), so in that regard, IMHO everything is ok :) at least until the release of an add-on with dwarves...
And overall, the artifacts are decent.... at least finding one of them won't tip the game too far in one direction....
+ I rrrrreally liked the absence of artifacts for the undead... they used to tilt the balance way too much before... :)
although some clever artifacts are still missing.... things that haven't been seen yet...
something extraordinary... in the style of "a handful of native soil—units fight as if on their home territory on any land"... or a "sacred dubas—all units gain the ability to fly... + summoning grass elementals":)... basically, there is plenty of room for imagination....
But for now, everything that's here is very gothic :)