It is what we call the great hall in our village. It is where the earl, his family and retainers all live, as well as where meetings are held and disputes are solved. The rest of the time, it is where everyone 'hangs out' as you say, especially for drinking, playing games and telling stories.

To train for war, and because it is the only way we can survive. Much of the land is poor for farming, and not many families are able to fish, let alone provide enough to feed families. Raiding provides goods to trade with in town for money, food and other supplies that we cannot get on our own.

It is violent because if the town you are raiding fears and goes into hiding or bribes the army to leave them alone, it means there is less resistance and less chance of your own warriors being killed.

ooc: yay values dissonance