What the Mark is — and what it isn't.

The Mark is the physical card every Crew member receives after their first Episode. It is numbered. The number reflects when you sailed, not what you paid. Lower numbers indicate earlier Crew, full stop.

Three finishes by tier. Matte black for Crew. Brushed steel for Captain. Brass for Commodore. The finish telegraphs the tier without being loud about it. The number telegraphs the seniority. Together they are the only two pieces of information the card carries.

The Mark is not a status symbol in the membership-card sense. It is a receipt for showing up. It does not get you into anything that the corresponding tier does not already get you into. Its function is the moment it lands in the hand of the next Crew member at the next Episode and the conversation starts.

Replacement Marks are issued once. Lost Marks stay lost. The number is permanent.