[95th Rifleman]

When you get right down to it, the title "hero" is most often posthumous.

In this situation you have to look at the game you are playing. Are the PCs going for a simple escape from reality style game where they are the heroes? Or are they taking the game really serious and taking actions that are considered and as close to how they would really do it?

Both roleplay styles are equaly valid.

If I was in the first sort of game then I'd get my fellow PCs together, organise a defence, train the villagers and take the bastards on.

In the second style of game I'd tuck my head down, ignore what is happening and be thankful it's not happened to me or someone I love.

Human nature is not nice, it's not pretty and when you remove the rules and constraints imposed upon us by society, seriously bad things happen. You are either the guy commiting these acts or the guy avoiding those acts being commited against you.