Diving
Diving is one of the jobs available to ite, in which they go down into the Rift to collect resources. While difficult and dangerous, it's a necessary and respected job. Diving essentially combines elements of being a rock climber, a cave diver, a miner and a survivalist, though more often than not divers end up having preference for one type of mission over the other. It's not uncommon to see divers working in pairs or groups, and usually they prefer doing so (with some exceptions like Acheron or Zolo).
To recieve a new rank, divers must go through exams, but only up to the 6th layer. Beyond the 6th layer divers must send a request for their further descent (either solo, paired, or in a group). Once given permission, they can go to the layer 7 and 8, and if they come back alive, they're promoted to the rank according to the layer they survived in. Such missions are a personal choice and have high risk, so no rescue missions will be initiated if a diver goes missing or can't come back on their own.
Divers are forbidden from entering the layers beyond their rank. If a diver descends below their permitted layer, they won't be sought after and rescued.
Ranks
Ranks are a system used by divers to differentiate and determine their skill and layer access. Each official diver's rank is documented on paper, though they're also required to wear a colored band correlating with their rank as a means of quick recognition. The color for each rank is based off the blood color of the damned individuals on each layer. In total there are 10 ranks, with 8 of them being actively used by divers, 1 of them used by divers in training, and 1 used as a memorial rank.
Initiate (0)
Initiates are a group of divers that undergo training in a diving academy. They don't have the permission to go into the Rift on their own, and may do so only under their trainer's supervision and documented permission. Initiates are assigned the color white.
Scout (1-3)
Scouts are a group of beginner divers. They may go into the Rift on their own, though they only have the permission to work there.
- Layer 1 scouts are assigned the color red. They may only work up to the 1st layer.
- Layer 2 scouts are assigned the color orange. They may work up the the 2nd layer.
- Layer 3 scouts are assigned the color yellow. They may work up the the 3rd layer.
Strider (4-6)
Striders are a group of intermediate divers. They may go into the Rift on their own, as well as lead group missions and teach others up to their level.
- Layer 4 striders are assigned the color green. They may work up the the 4th layer and teach intiates and scouts up to the 4th layer.
- Layer 5 striders are assigned the color blue. They may work up the the 5th layer and teach intiates and scouts up to the 5th layer.
- Layer 6 striders are assigned the color indigo. They may work up the the 6th layer and teach intiates and scouts up to the 6th layer.
Warden (7-8)
Wardens are a group of professional divers. They may go into the Rift on their own, lead group missions, teach others up to the 6th layer and hold partial control over the diving system due to their experience.
Wardens are given titles by officials based on their achievements, experience or extraordinary feats in diving (i.e. Warden of the Damned, Warden of Solitude). Each warden tends to specialize in certain fields of work, which also affects the potential title. All wardens are a part of the Warden Council, where they discuss recent events and make important decisions in recent situations, rules and etc.
- Layer 7 wardens are assigned the color purple.
- Layer 8 wardens are assigned the color magenta. They usually serve as the head of the council and accept the decisions, or propose them to the officials.
Memorial (9)
Since it's impossible to live in or survive the 9th layer, there is no actual rank for it. Instead, the 9th layer is assigned the color black, which serves as a memorial color for divers that died in the Rift. It's highly frowned upon and disrespectful to wear a black band as a living diver.