... safely expand a village?

[Xanthic]

  So here I am with a village to play with, and a need for more villagers. Obviously here-in lay a devious problem. So far to expand I've been inviting people I've known prior to join the game, (a method I'm sure Jorb prefers), and have gained a few people in this manner. This however is a rapidly dwindling resource.
  I'd like to open the gates to randoms, and put up one of those Charter Stones but that would mean losing all the forests remotely close to our village to power-LP gathering. Not to mention the influx of griefers, morons, and other undesireables into what is a pretty good region. So this option right now really doesn't appeal.
  Another option I've considered is to openly invite people from the forums or surrounding area to join our village. We have gained a few members through this method. However even that opens the door to a dwindled security.
  As it stands our village is completely enclosed in pallisades for a bit of protection, and sets of keys needed to enter and exit. So our other problem is that to allow people to join the village we need to make them another set of keys, and they're able to let all kinds of wrong into the village from the surrounding area.
  All of my paranoia aside, perhaps the H&H forum crew with its vast array of vets can provide some advice / insight I'm sure a few newer village settlements are interested in knowing?
  All practical insight and advice appriciated, let loose...

[Blxz]

Well, you could make a new area with different keys that newbie villages can go until they prove themselves? It would involve building a new palisade area and have that keyed off seperately. Its most likely the safest way. Especially if they don't have access to the good stuff inside the main area. It does involve a bit of extra work though. But a griefer would have to be very dedicated in order to build a house and live with you for a few days/week until you deem them trustworthy.

Next option is to just have the main walled enclosure and let them build around outside. Sort of like your main village being the centre of town. like a greek fortified akropolis. You can pave it up and make roads and set aside plots outside but they won't have access to the main industry until they prove themselves or they can build more outside with the main part just providing them the materials. there are lots of ways. try stuff and experiment.

[Thijssnl]

A good system imo is a main wall, and all plots inside a personal wall. That way it isnt too disastrous if the main gates are open for a longer time

[Xanthic]

  Very good suggestions. Thank you for them. Hadn't thought of those.