A Pod Mother was a decision maker in the Selenean hierarchy. They designed groups of offspring based upon need.

Selenean families, or crèches, were designed by their Pod Mothers with specific traits hardwired into them. The Y’Lira crèche was coded for curiosity, durability and adaptability as well as certain uniform height and weight specifications. Once out of the crèche, environmental factors could create great variety even among “sisters” who began essentially identical in every way. (TTN novel: Sword of Damocles)