The Shoal Collective is heavily dependent on the Honor System, but given how harshly those who prove to be untrustworthy are dealt with in certain areas of the ocean it generally works out.
There are no official Ranges or Areas that Shoal Masters roam, but there are several of them and they have a clearly defined hierarchy that works to be sure everyone in the chain is held accountable.
Levels of the Shoal Collective:
Tyxm (egg) - White- The first stage of responsibility, can be called for certain types of jobs and is allowed to take those within a certain risk factor. Pods must have at least four members, no more than ten.
Kudak (child) -Green- Second stage of responsibility, can be called for more types of jobs and is allowed to jobs with a higher level of risk factor. Can also be called to shepherd or teach a Tyxm for a span of time.
Kalonsol (adult) -Red- Third stage of responsibility, can be called for all types of jobs and is allowed to take jobs with any level of risk factor. Does have to take a turn as a Shoal Master every so often, as a group or individually. Can now be in a pod of any size, up to ten. Including individual.
Pir (elder) -Black- Fourth stage of responsibility. Is rarely called for any jobs, works in a more admin role but is capable of adventuring out if required. Organizes and keeps everything in line so everyone else can get the jobs done!
The identifier/emblem for all members of the Shoal Collective is a string of shells. The knot at the top identifies who it was who accepted your oath (tied in a specific pattern), the next three identify where you joined, the fourth what year/cycle you joined (a sundial shell marked to show the year), the fifth your markshell (the shell of your choice though bone and coral are also options, magically sealed with your blood), and the sixth your group markshell (chosen by everyone as shell, bone or coral, and sealed to your chosen name). The final piece is a cluster of bright white beads, denoting your rank of Tyxm. Then you have about six-eight inches of cord left over. On those 6-8 inches, you collect Prizes or Trophies from your adventures if you so choose.
Every rank after that you get another knot or knots (the Shoal Master(s) who approves your upgrade, three shells to identify where it happened, a Sundial for the cycle/year and a new cluster of beads for the color of your rank. You can also get a new knot if you join a new Pod, with their new Markshell. Your old one is not removed, as this is the history of your time with the Shoal Collective.
Shoal Masters are marked by a cluster of Starbeads at the end of their line and a woven collar that makes that easy to spot. A Shoal Master has left their Pod or their Pod has been retired. They cannot rejoin a Pod without also renouncing their status as Shoal Master. Shoal Masters are not necessarily the strongest members of Pods who have retired. Many simply enjoy working with the Pods but do not wish to adventure themselves anymore and taken on more of an administrative role. Some do it to start families, keeping in touch with the Pods but no longer in a place of danger. And others use it as period of rest or healing before they plan to return to a life of adventure and travel in the future.