You mean as in you didn't equip any trinkets, or that you did not use the anvil?
My main interpretation about the theme is that by choosing the different components that compose your equipment, you'd be "forging" them. The anvil is indeed a secondary mechanic, that while also very important, isn't as necessary as choosing your trinkets. You can progress a little in the game without using any trinkets, but only in the very start. Things get very challenging as the game progresses, even with strategic use of each component.
Anyway, thanks again for playing , and thanks for the feedback!