A distressing surprise.

[Swordmage]

I see, thank you Onionfighter and Sever. I met one of the villagers just now, and he appeared to be very kind and courteous. However, I could not help but notice a battering ram in the middle of the city. I guess I will have to wait until I can see what their real intentions are. In any case, they don't appear to be aggressive, which is a good sign. Maybe this will turn out well after all

The battering ram may be left over from the palisade griefing days -- a way to get out after being closed in.

[arriel]

I see, thank you Onionfighter and Sever. I met one of the villagers just now, and he appeared to be very kind and courteous. However, I could not help but notice a battering ram in the middle of the city. I guess I will have to wait until I can see what their real intentions are. In any case, they don't appear to be aggressive, which is a good sign. Maybe this will turn out well after all

Might have misplaced some of their own palisades or houses. Battering rams are not moving well, I doubt they built it to move it for any significant distance.

[Dataslycer]

Or break down their wall for expansion.

[Zamte]

Pretty sure, unless your settlement is close to the end of the river, that they have no way to get it across to you. They'd have to have built it on your side to begin with.

To be honest, I really don't think most people here are interested in combat. There are griefers, but usually the ones of that nature don't settle much. They have major towns they use, and settle little claims as staging points. A significant village with progress is probably meant for playing normally. I understand that bad experiences can scar you, but if you don't get out and act friendly, they may very well also get suspicious of you. No fun to get killed by a group of people who feel they had to do it to be better safe than sorry because they don't think you seem very friendly.

[Onionfighter]

However, I could not help but notice a battering ram in the middle of the city.

A battering ram in the middle of someone's city should not be considered threatening. Unless it is your city and you don't know how it got there,