Guilds

[Olme]

How does a character find information about or join a guild ?
What does membership in one mean and confer?
What guilds are available ?

[ZeroVega]

Quite a few with varied reasons for existing. Ask around.
  http://www.layonaraonline.com/player_info/guild_rules.asp

[Olme]

Yes ..read that link ..several times

I guess I was looking for a bit more.

[Andrios]

I guess like with a lot of things,  keep an ear out in game and ask questions.  On top of that watch the forums and see what kind of postings are made.
I know of a few guilds, but I am sure there are more and requirements to join vary from guild to guild as do the "benefits".
Here are the few guilds I know about:  
1) Orc Bashers guild for crafting and selling
2) Arcane Alliance for mages
3)Wolfswood Rangers for well....rangers (not sure that one may be strictly for NPC's)
4)Ineffeble Chord for bards
5) The Vakhar for woodland promoters/protectors that serve Katia, Folian Spa, or Aeridin
I am sure there are more that I do not know of.   If you have a particular interest just ask around in game, and then see what shows up in the forums and on the event Calanders.
Hope that helps.

[miltonyorkcastle]

there are also 'groups', unofficial guilds, or non-guilds, that you can become a part of, but you just have to talk to people and listen.  

oh, and another crafting guild is the Freelancers.

[Aragon]

Depending on your character's disposition, there are many "groups" lurking about.  But most will require some RP to find them.