Space

[smellityet]

For instance: Rohan is a threat to us, so we decide to close our borders off (yeah, just look at their aggressiveness, they said they dont want anything bad from us or anything, but we still wanted our borders to be closed) whilst we close them, they start to advance their borders, to claim inside ours.

and then some nation much larger (and much more prepared) decides they want more land, and goes in to take over some nation of peaceful players.

1) Small groups against a common enemy in the past have banded together to drive out invaders. Friendly neighbors are always willing to help... so long as you return the favor & don't stab any backs (in the beginning, at least.)

2) Don't forget the famous "tribute" our barbarian friends taught us. Kiss up to anyone and they'll leave you alone.