By learning the new Lawspeaking skill, your character can, with the aid of four other yeomen, construct and activate a "Village Idol". By so doing, you will have formed a village. H&H's first baby step towards formal and organized societies. The person to first initiate the Idol activation process will automatically fill the first, and perhaps most important, village position: The Lawspeaker's. The Lawspeaker can, besides wearing special gear (Lawspeaker's Robes and Hat) also appoint one village member (other than himself) to be village Chieftain. The Chieftain has a cool hat of his own, which radiates an aura of undeniable charisma and leadership ability.
At the moment, this doesn't mean all that much. (Except gear is cool) -- But you can bet it soon will.
