Edit: I was under the impression that the forums (and thus the wiki) were required resources (i.e. the town crier yelling about the forums). Looks like you guys are on top of this for the early game with the tutorial island. In that case, my point is moot. Keep the good things coming!
I realize this game is not for everyone and that Salem will not cater to the lowest common denominator. With that in mind:
The forums are a useful resource and the wiki is super useful (thank you PistolShrimp and gang!), requiring the use of either is immersion breaking. Tabbing out of the game because there is not even a hint of an idea for how to advance or accomplish something could be considered not fun. Discovering things for yourself is becomes fun once there are already other things to do (i.e. mid-game). During the early game when you have no other choice but to figure something out before you can move on, not having the information available in game can be frustrating.
If these resources are intended to be a requirement you need to slap a noob in the face several times with words along the lines of "these resources are available and, if you get stuck, MUST be used to continue". Frustration in the first hours will cause a noob to quit.