Not entirely sure why. they may just be a nice person o_o
That is a dangerous assumption. Until the person has turned their back and given you an invitation to screw them over and escape all consequences, assume hostile intentions!
As for advice, let's see...
- Utilize the wiki. H&H can be unforgiving, and one of the last things a solitary player can afford to due is make a mistake when it comes to investing materials and LP.
- Give yourself every edge you can get! Google and download Ender's client, and read the instructions. Some of the features it has can make the difference between returning to camp with two boxes of goodies or being mauled to death by a bear.
- Avoid settling near high quality resources, as these tend to attract fledgling tribes and global superpowers. In fact, your best bet for survival would involve living in the environment where you were least likely to be discovered. Large, dismal pine forests far from any bodies of water or other landmarks are ideal; less experienced players tend to have trouble navigating them, and you will fly under most veterans' radar/scope of interest.
- Don't paint a bulls-eye on your butt. The more you develop, as in erecting houses and clearing nearby trees, the more advanced and thus more appealing a target you will appear to passerby watching their maps for "opportunities." Start with a single small house and modest plot for agriculture, then upgrade your defenses and expand your claim as you enlarge your infrastructure. Planting new trees to partially mask or disguise your presence on maps may be a good idea. Claiming vast swaths of land is a good way to incite trespassers.
- "
A locked door keeps an honest person out." If a dedicated thief/raider wants to trespass on your claim or break through your palisade and has the means, he will do so without remorse. Basic defenses, while important, are just that. Consider adding redundant gates and walls later, but do so with discretion! (see the tip prior to this one.)
- When dealing with strangers, be as polite, humble, and nonchalant as you can manage, but without seeming overly friendly or naive. A person's expression of character can be a powerful and sometimes overwhelming weapon, especially against those possessing "weaker" states of mind.
- Be careful when erecting your first palisade; make sure the construction are is entirely claimed, and don't forget to seal the posts-- but only after you're done with them. It's a good idea to work out how you will be building it step-by-step before hand. See the wiki for more info.
- Don't try to tame large animals. Just... don't do it.
- Trust no one!