ISA Rank

The Standard Authority Index, or ISA Rank is a ranking system for Alluvian pencils that assigns each pencil a grade which reflects their overall significance, authority within the Empire. The ISA Rank was developed very early in pencil history with the 6 founding pencils around the 80th Lunation BSC, and is now sometimes considered outdated. It is now a primarily ceremonial title, that provides a rough indication of a pencil's access to rights and power. Upon joining the Empire, Pencils begin at Rank A, as an apprentice (technically, an Inaugural). Once completing the mandatory 2-month Fundament course, pencils will be promoted to the N Rank.
 * N Rank is the standard rank, which pencils achieve as soon as they complete their apprenticeship. More than half the pencils in the empire will never leave this rank.
 * Distinguished, talented pencils will seek throughout their career to be promoted from N, to 1P, 2P, 3P and 4P (the highest grade)
 * A Rank refers to apprentices still in training to receive an N Rank. All pencils start off at A Rank.
 * VP Rank refers to retired pencils, or pencils permanently relieved of duty due to injuries or other reasons.
 * S Rank refers to slaves, pencils who were not accepted to become an Alluvian citizen, but are kept within the Empire as a slave.

For pencils ranked 1P, 2P, 3P and 4P, the corresponding number of holes will be punched into the back of the pencil to indicate its rank.