I'm a nearby neighbour of a village under the name of CK, along a lake. (Yeah, no kidding.)
Anyway, if I could join or be under the protection of CK, I would appreciate it. Just a sort of "you leave me alone, I leave you alone - except for the occasional trading gig where I might want to use your village idol" relationship would be nice enough.
I'm not high enough level to trade much, so I wouldn't be too concerned.