Brood

Broods are a subset of the population structure of the Ash'engu, a large, wide-spread species of space travelers that all answer and strive towards the one goal: the flourishing of their brood, their population and their race.
There are five Broods of the Ash'engu, one of which is a member of the Syndicate of Allied Parties (Zestarnae Syndicate) and monitors, works, and flourishes within Zestarnae space. Each of the five broods operate in their own parts of space, developing somewhat unique cultures to one another as they involve themselves in the politics and trade of a particular region. The aki'thmar brood, of Zestarnae, is particularly distinct in its research relations with the other residents of the Zestarnae Syndicate. The agesh'ken brood, by comparison, has rather poor relations with the species in its sector, living at war with the other denizens throughout most of their part of space. Aka'raden dwells within a highly advanced, pacifist area of space, living mostly terrestrially and travelling little. Alet'par have no terrestrial hub and are entirely nomadic, like most of the galaxy they live within. The planets and stars within their galaxy are some of the most volatile in all of space. Lastly, the ash'gara are the brood that holds the Hivemother herself. The ash'gara are the dominant species in their small sector of space, won by battle and circumstance over the last millennium.
Within each brood, there are a series of regulated sectors and ranks, although what they may mean in terms of roles and responsibilities may vary from brood to brood depending on their individual needs.

Structure

The leader of the entire Ash'engu race is termed the Hivemother, and she gifts authority to one female in each of her broods known as Broodmothers.

Brood Structure

Broodmother - A single, fertile female chosen by the Hivemother, rules her brood and is of equal rank to all other Broodmothers. The ash'gara Broodmother believes that her placement by the Hivemother's side permanently sets her above the other Broodmothers, they believe it sets her below them.
Chantren - The rank directly below a Broodmother, held by a male or males. In aki'thmar, aka'raden, and ash'gara they/he act as her second in command. In agesh'ken and alet'par they are a Broodmother's mates, as well, in some cases, her advisors.
Director - Directors lead the research, medical, conflict and practical sectors. Every individual within a brood falls within one of the four sectors.
Within each sector, individuals are also divided into ranks that denote their superiority as well as their individual roles. Ranks within sectors are specific to each brood.

Culture

The Brood is all. Every action is made to further the goals and expansion of the Brood. While the overarching guidance for these goals are made by a Broodmother, every individual member of a brood spends their day-to-day considering such actions. The individuality boasted by many other species in known space is not something that broodmembers consider highly. Ash'engu have no real understanding of familial bonds in the same way other species do. An entire brood, consisting of millions of individuals, is as close to 'family' as the ash'engu get. Otherwise, who was born to who plays no part in the dynamics between broodmembers.