Society and Identity
We are pragmatists, utilitarians, and govern ourselves by the virtues of logic rather than being ensnared by the perils of emotion. Key in that philosophy is that we "govern ourselves". The Society of the Anvil is very much unlike the majority of clans or nations out there in that we have had the great fortune of establishing a membership of self-motivated and responsible gamers who do not need to be governed on a regular basis by any kind of authority. As such, the leadership of the Anvil's primary function is to ensure efficiency rather than being bogged down with the mundane parenting tasks of a daycare center. This has been achieved by the irregular practice of purging immature and problematic members with no pussy-footing around the issue.

If you possess a liberal sense of humor, are not judgmental, and have no tendency to go on hysterical rants or demand attention for the trivial problems of your stupid life then you are already a member of the Anvil Society, at least in spirit.

An excerpt regarding Maturity in the Society
Originally posted, in part, at the Anvil Society forums.

Maturity is something that is likely somewhat different in the Anvil than in clans which claim to be "mature", though it is nonetheless of great importance to our unity. We do not rate maturity as being a prude; it is not being free from humor, and it is not "acting" all grown up. Maturity is trust and it is respect; it is nothing more, nor any less. We enforce almost no social controls, requirements for behavior, nor forum or guild channel regulations or moderation because we trust our members and do not seek to be their parents, a luxury afforded to only the few clans who truly enforce strong character and respect among their members. The Anvil is, in my own estimation, one of the few clans in existence that will actively purge members who cannot function as mature individuals. There is no greater threat to the unity of a clan than "Guild Drama" which effectively turns clans into beauty salons rife with bickering women. We are in every essence possible a clan of all dwarven principles ever drawn from reality, which dictates that we must have a handle on our emotions just as much as it does for cantankerous shouting matches, cursing and spitting contests, and drinking far too much alcohol. What this means to you, the potential applicant, is more than likely inconsequential by now, for any person who has the attention span to get this far already shows the beginnings of patience, the precursor to temperance.

[quote=Surly]Arguing and getting angry isn't causing drama. Shouting matches are fine, name calling is fine, even holding a grudge against some one is fine. It's the open, public displays of vindictiveness, cattiness, and emotional outbursts which cause problems. What goes on in private has no relevance to this sort of thing at all, it's when people refuse to handle their problems in the proper method and instead resort to repeatedly whining in public to try and get a sympathetic ear. Pestering or ridiculing people for laughs and being a general prick to people don't fall into this category unless it really becomes harassment... and even at that point, depending on the nature of the harassment there's a pretty high likelihood that the "victim" is to blame for being a whiner about it since in most cases deriding people ends when they stop reacting favorably. I consider that kind of horseplay and foolery just a part of socializing, and if some one is so ill-tempered or emotionally insecure that they are going to take true offense from their team mates fucking with them... well, they should have played an elf.

I'd be more inclined to kick some one for bitching about BEING harassed than I would to boot the harasser. Like I said, maturity doesn't mean being a prude... it's more about not being a judgmental whiny prick who can't take a joke. It's not going to come up often enough to be an issue for anyone, but if you notice some one crying a lot and being emotional at least you won't have to wonder where they went when you stop seeing them around.

In any case, to get booted for drama you have to first have your feelings hurt and handle it like a baby. If you've got thick skin, or you aren't a big gaping vagina, it just isn't an issue.[/quote][/spoiler]

Ours is a unique environment where the freedom loving rough-and-tumble attitudes of even the most offensive and crass mouth are welcome alongside the in-depth dissertations of qualified and educated sociologists and philosophers. Where a dedicated robber-baron is free to play the game like he wants, and be part of a larger society where mercenary groups or hardcore competitive sub-clans and groups are on the same side. One need only respect one's own self to feel at home in the Anvil, for disrespecting others only amounts to sticks and stones. Together, these principles have all but buried the notion of "drama" and "serious business" from our establishment... and that, itself, is something I'm proud to have seen develop through all these years.

Purpose
We're here to have fun, like everyone else. We aren't here, however, to tell you how to behave yourself. This is an endeavor for recreation, not a vehicle for introspective or searching out a greater meaning to your life by kicking ass in a video game. Any clan promising professionalism or competitiveness to the exclusion of fun is a farce trying to legitimize their lack of purpose. Any clan of the Anvil's size must have the integrity and diversity to support the individual inclinations of their members to achieve any manner of gameplay environment desired. Elite fighting squads, PvP groups, crafting unions, politics, nation building, random griefing... these are not purposes for the clan to define, these are the byproducts of the environment that a clan must furnish to its members. Holding this true, the Anvil Society will forever respect the individuality of its members and sub-clans to pursue these goals by providing an enriching and diverse community where culture, and its various subcultures, realistically flourish.

More direct: We are a conquest PvP clan with a tolerance for all types of players and styles of gaming, whether in our clan or not. We are respectful, hopefully, of each other as well as our competitors. Respectful not in any dated sense of "honor", but respectful that each person playing Darkfall has agreed to log into a game where they can let their competitive natures run rampant. Morality of a transcendent nature in such an environment is not only a hindrance, it's foolish. With a strong focus on efficiency, and a great appreciation for the competition of sandbox MMOs like Darkfall, we intend to revel in the competition itself rather than turning the gratification of victory into a sick addiction.

We are achievers, but to look back on our exploits it is our hope that we will yearn more nostalgically for the path that brought us to the realization of those goals than the achievements themselves. Though what would a dwarven guild be without an insatiable lust for gold?

Who are we? Really.
Here in the Anvil, what it's really like, propaganda and fancy words all shot to hell with only the bare husk remaining: A group of regular computer dorks playing video games together. Our shit stinks as much as the next guy, we drown the hardships of the long day in alcohol, and tell dirty jokes to each other on Ventrilo while working together to build something that brings us satisfaction. We're not so different from you, except perhaps that we have a lot more fun doing the same things.

Society of the Anvil Races: Dwarf
Ages: 17+
Website: Anvil Society - The Book of Steel
Clan Lore: Tome of History
Application: Application Page

Sub Clans:
The Drunken Beggar Clan The beggars are, well, drunken beggars. Built on the hopes
of establishing an economic base in true street-urchin fashion, the
DBC is the ideal choice for dwarves and humans looking to exercise
their penchant for humor and creativity in battle. Their recruitment
thread can be found here, and their forums here. The DBC
accepts Humans and Dwarves as members, and applications may
be accepted via the main Anvil application page, or on the DBC
website.
Thelema The thelemites are a group of forum trolls and unscrupulous
rapscallions who believe in what amounts to anarchy and
hedonism. They're in it for the lulz, so to speak. They allow
Humans and Dwarves as members, and focus primarily on
battlefield interdiction and less direct forms of combat such
as stealth, resource and convoy raiding, and waylaying.
Applying to Thelema may also be accomplished through
the primary Anvil application page.
SladeSlade is the embodiment of MMO warfare management, organization and unhinged rage, specializing in first-strike units and siege management. Their leader, Savant, is a veteran competitive FPS and RTS gamer with strong leadership experience in EVE Online under one of the most successful and longstanding corporations in the game. Members seeking to indulge in siege warfare, group pvp, and mass murder should consider joining Slade, which can be applied for at the primary Anvil application page. Anvil application page.
NyXNyX, or Organized Chaos, is a clan of MMO gamers who've played
together intermittently with the Anvil Society for five years.
They are a tight-knit group who've spent a lot of time
involved in Planetside, Lineage 2, Warhammer Online and
World of Warcraft. NyX does not recruit... well, at least not
off of forums. Their own forums may be found here.
Forums: http://forums.anvilsociety.com

The Society of the Anvil is still recruiting for those of you that are still looking for a stable and established clan for darkfall. The Anvil itself only takes Dwarves, but our subguilds accept humans as well. Please check us out at our site and on the Ofiicial Darkfall forums.

www.anvilsociety.com and forums.darkfallonline.com/

Thank you for your time and interest.

Brandulfr

Visit our forums or homepage for a better look at life in the Anvil.

http://www.anvilsociety.com for our homepage.

http://www.forums.anvilsociety.com to visit our forums

The Anvil has a great deal of philosophies it embodies, like any group of people, but our greatest strengths are what we contest to be our deviation from the status quo in the world of MMO gaming. It is our assertion that the greatest hindrance to success in MMO clans across the board is the declination of humility in favor of bloated egos, self-importance, and irresponsibility. It's easy for many people, particularly when given a soap box to stand on in front of other gamers, to allow themselves to develop arrogance, self-righteousness, and take games too seriously... however it isn't the mere act of taking things seriously we find fault in, but taking the wrong things seriously. Games are just games, and the personal accomplishments of leaders and clan officers are nothing more than a collection of temporal trophies in a virtual world. To prioritize and revere these acts above the duty to everyone who made it possible is not only selfish, it's undermining to the whole notion of what a clan is about. Fun? Sure, but more specifically the combined efforts of many proving themselves to be better than the other poor son of a bitch they just ground into the dirt under their collective heel.

We aren't here to dictate the behavior of our members, deify ourselves, or complicate our purpose with aggrandized philosophy about importance. We offer security, stability, a true economy, and opportunity... it's up to our members to decide how they use it. Unlike the great majority of clans out there organized around communal despotic pillars, the Anvil is a pragmatic, functioning society where each individual is far more sovereign than a member of a tribal "clan".
Why We're Different:We've been around the block a few times, and through thick and thin, we've proven that we're here to stay. Our numbers, our organization, our camaraderie, and our proven resolve are all testaments to our past success and future potential. Being a part of the Anvil is being a part of a laissez-faire organization with the professionalism to be competitive, but the utter respect for individuality to remain fun for the player. It is a system of mutual respect and admiration, one which has garners uniform praise from all of our members, and the great majority of onlookers.

We have always had a bent towards economic manipulation and control in MMOs where it is allowed. Given a robust and functional in-game economy we will be at the forefront of resource control, trade, and global market manipulation. Organized PvP is tailored specifically for each game environment. Darkfall's particular game mechanics have thus far convinced us to err on the side of privatized militaries to a great degree.

Our clan social hierarchy revolves around the principle of compartmentalization and feudal nationalism. Our sub-clans, themselves, are capable of functioning as their own autonomous units, who may in the future inhabit clanstones or other build locations. Formerly being independent clans, these sub-clans have a great deal of individuality and unique flavor which is a strength in our system of organization rather than a weakness. We are very encouraging of self-starting and personal ownership of assets in games. Whereas the bulk of old system clans in existence today horde power and centralize ownership of assets, we are firm believers in allowing our members to experience all aspects of gameplay for themselves, and pursue individual profit rather than purely collectivist agendas.

The Society of the Anvil is foremost a nation of brotherhood and humility which shuns arrogance and meddlesome bickering while promoting unity through understanding. Ours is a unique environment where the freedom loving rough-and-tumble attitudes of even the most offensive and crass mouth are welcome alongside the in-depth dissertations of qualified and educated sociologists and philosophers. One need only respect one's own self to feel at home in the Anvil, for disrespecting others only amounts to sticks and stones. Together, these principles have all but buried the notion of "drama" and "serious business" from our establishment... and that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.

Society of the Anvil Races: Dwarf, Human
Ages: 17+
Website: Anvil Society - The Book of Steel
Clan Lore: Tome of History
Application: Application Page

Sub Clans:
The Drunken Beggar Clan The beggars are, well, drunken beggars. Built on the hopes
of establishing an economic base in true street-urchin fashion, the
DBC is the ideal choice for dwarves and humans looking to exercise
their penchant for humor and creativity in battle. Their recruitment
thread can be found here, and their forums here. The DBC
accepts Humans and Dwarves as members, and applications may
be accepted via the main Anvil application page, or on the DBC
website.
Thelema[INDENT] The thelemites are a group of forum trolls and unscrupulous
rapscallions who believe in what amounts to anarchy and
hedonism. They're in it for the lulz, so to speak. They allow
Humans and Dwarves as members, and focus primarily on
battlefield interdiction and less direct forms of combat such
as stealth, resource and convoy raiding, and waylaying.
Applying to Thelema may also be accomplished through
the primary Anvil application page.
SladeThe Slade sub-clan represents traditional MMO warfare
management and organization, specializing in first-strike
units and siege management. Their leader, Savant, is a
veteran competitive FPS and RTS gamer with strong
leadership experience in EVE Online under one of the most
successful and longstanding corporations in the game.
Members seeking to indulge in warfare almost exclusively
should consider joining Slade, which can be applied for
at the primary Anvil application page.
Forums: http://forums.anvilsociety.com