AvidGamers Website

A screenshot of the landing page after the merge to Invisionfree, taken from the Internet Archive, 11 September 2004.

The AvidGamers Website was the first Website and Forums combination used by the Wilderness Guardians, from their opening in December 2003 to April 2004. A singular copy of the AvidGamers website exists on the Internet Archive, retrieved on 26 September 2004, and can be accessed here.

Overview

The website was created by His Lordship, using the Avid Gamers community-hosting service provided by Vertiqal Software International. Titled The Great Wilderness Guardian Realm, it served as both a website for documenting information about the clan (albeit to a limited extent), and a forum for communication between members. It is not clear when the site was first created - presumably around the time of the creation of the clan in December 2003.

The AvidGamers site was replaced as a website with the FrontPage Website on 4 February 2004. It continued to serve as the clan forums for another two months until April 2004, when at the suggestion of Rick Hamm, WG began using Invisionfree forums, starting with the S7 Forums on 17 or 27 April 2004. The AvidGamers website remained open to veterans of the clan, presumably until the dissolution of Avid Gamers in 2007.

Sections

The website is considerably simplistic compared to later versions, and aside from the forums contains only an application form, written history, and a list of clan rules and beliefs.

Application Form

The first record of a form for players to apply to join WG was extremely simplistic, consisting of only three sections:

• Desired nickname - presumably for the applicant's RuneScape character name.
• Email - an email address in order to receive a response, including emails of acceptance.
• Why You Want To Join - an open text box with no requirements.

There was also a set of terms and conditions which potential applicants would be agreeing to upon submitting their application, which were:

• Acknowledgement of the application information being correct.
• Forfeiture of membership with any other clans.
• Agreement to represent the values and attitudes of WG.
• Agreement to actively partake in clan PK trips and discussions.
• Agreement to keep clan-only information in confidence.

The application form also served as a diplomatic point of contact for other clan leaders to request alliances - they were instructed to apply as a "[clan name] Representative" and would be granted forum access.

Clan History

Main article: AvidGamers History

A highly-fictionalised version of the clan's early history was written and published to the website by His Lordship. It covers the events of late 2003 and early 2004 in a fantasy-style tale: from His Lordship being PKed while collecting runes at the Dark Warrior's Fortress, to the clan reaching 100 members and the first period of decline.

Adopted Clan Rules & Beliefs

The Rules and Beliefs of the Wilderness Guardians was a set of seven rules for all clan members to abide by. These are copied verbatim from the original page below:

Rule 1

Under no circumstances must any member of the Wilderness Guardians PK a player with no skull above his or her head
Death pays death, and those who enter the Wilderness to kill for fun have no business with this clan whatsoever.

Rule 2

Members of this clan, with the exception of Clan Representatives, must not be a member of any other Runescape Clan. Every clan has a unique set of policies, and ours is no exception. If you are part of another clan, you will find that our policies may clash.
You must also commit yourself to one clan alone to prove your loyalty.

Rule 3

You must obey the orders of those in charge of a clan area.
On most occasions you will be not given any orders. The clan operates on the offerings of our members, not by force.
Occasionally for disciplinary or privacy reasons members will be given an order by a high ranking member. These are not common, because they are only used in important situations. However these must be strictly obeyed.

Rule 4

There are to be no cirumstances of scamming amoung^[sic] members of this clan. If you scam anything whatsoever, consider yourself out of this clan.

Rule 5

You have every right to voice your opinions in the clan site. The manner in which you do it will not include swearing, rascism, sexcism, or any form of discrimination. It will not insult any individual/s nor will it include irrelevant content, advertising or adult material.

Rule 6

You will not hack into any Runescape related sites. This is strictly prohibited, and is one of our most strictly kept policies.

Rule 7

While on Runescape, you will follow its rules. If any of these rules are broken, you will not be expelled from the clan, but rather, you will be reported.

Forums

A "Message Area" was also integrated into the website, though the forums available to clan members are not known. The only two public-facing forums and their descriptions were:

• Clan Relationships - Whether you want to make peace talk with us, or declare war, here is where you do it
• Questions and Comments - Want to know something, write it in here and we will provide you with an answer. Comments are also welcome

The snapshot from the Internet Archive shows that neither forum has any visible topics or posts.