Brines have a specific type of social hierarchy that they follow. Oddly enough, with their wish to be treated as equals despite their impure blood, the social ladder is based off of both lineage and rank within a village.

Lineage

The highest rung on the ladder, based on blood, include the first-generation Brines. These Brines are the offspring of vampires and demons. Ironically, they are seen as the most pure of the Brines. They are typically stronger than other Brines, and usually the first to be chosen as an apprentice.

The second rung are the second-generation Brines. These Brines are the offspring of two first-generation Brines. They are slightly weaker than first-generations.

The third rung includes all Brines that are conceived of one or more second-generation Brines, not including those with one vampire OR demon parent.

The fourth and final rung of lineage includes all Brines with only one vampire or demon parent. The other parent MUST have the demon gene (if the first is a vampire) or the vampire gene (if the first is a demon). The most common Brine within this rank are conceived with parents being a vampire and a Brine.

Rank

Your rank in a Brine village ALWAYS determines your rank in the social hierarchy. You may be well liked, but you will always be cared for last if you and someone of a higher rank are both injured. This increase the strength of Brines as generations go on (natural selection).

The highest rank is the Alpha. The Alpha protects and cares for the entire pack (word for a group of Brines). The Alpha is the strongest in the village, though the title can be shifted to another if the Alpha loses a duel to a challenger, like lions do. The new Alpha then has the choice to kill or banish the old Alpha's apprentice, keep the apprentice, or choose a new apprentice with no consequences to the old apprentice. Most choose to kill the apprentice. (Herobrine himself said he would kill the apprentice if he won the Alpha rank.)

The second rank is the apprentice of the Alpha. The Alpha chooses a Brine from within the village to take the role and responsibility of being the apprentice. The apprentice is taught how to care for his/her pack, how to fight, and how to protect the pack. Blood magic and herbalism* are also taught. All activity within a village is stopped if the apprentice goes missing. Traditionally, apprentices challenge the Alpha at the age of seventeen years old and continue to challenge the Alpha until they either win the battle that follows or the Alpha dies of natural (or not) causes.

The third rank are the guards and sentinels within a village. These Brines protect the pack from invaders and warn the Alpha of any suspicious activity near the village borders. Any guard or sentinel found abusing or disrespecting any Brine of any rank is immediately stripped of their rank and demoted.

The fourth rank includes all women and children. Don't touch the child. The children are often hidden away from strangers so it is rare to see a Brine younger than that of a elementary student (first grade, year one, whatever you call it, usually around six or seven years of age). Children are highly valued by their pack (due to the declining rate of Brine populations and just being freaking cute) and smugglers/poachers (children are easier to handle than adults and easier to 'tame').

The fifth rank includes the hunting group. Guards, sentinels, and women are sometimes within this group, though they will stand by their highest rank rather than sink to this rank. The Alpha and his/her apprentice occasionally join the hunting group to find meat for the entire pack. The group is sent out either weekly or daily, depending on the size of the pack, the season, and availability of prey.

The sixth rank includes all teachers, mentors, and physical trainers within a pack. They teach the children how to behave and give their students the knowledge that is passed down to them from generations before them. The children are also taught how to fight from Brines of this rank.

The seventh, and final, rank includes all other male Brines. These Brines make up the majority of a pack and help make the village work smoothly. They are given any job not already taken by the Brines above them.

The lineage is used with the ranks themselves. A first-generation guard is higher than a second-generation guard. Pyromancers tend to be apprentices or Alphas, though they will ALWAYS be at the top of their rank due to their rarity.

The lowest 'rank' a Brine can have is to be a rogue, a Brine without a pack. There are many reasons why a Brine may be a rogue, as some run away to form a new pack, some are orphaned, some are kidnapped and sold, or their village is destroyed and pack disbanded.

Brines can climb the ranks within a village, but only to a certain extent as one cannot force their way to be an apprentice and a Brine can only earn their way up the ladder.

The Elder is the Alpha of the Alphas and is NEVER challenged. It's not a rule, just a way to respect the Elder.

Herobrine is seen as an Alpha as he is one of the three 'leaders' of Minecraftia.

Ash is seen as both an apprentice and an Alpha as he never challenged his Alpha to lead his village but he now is in charge of many individuals. Edit: Ash was an apprentice, then a rogue, then considered to be an Alpha. Sorry, I briefly forgot about rogues xD

*the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, now especially as a form of alternative medicine.