The time is finally here, yes indeed it is. The Merchant Navy system was long
overdue for a complete overhaul. The way it was previously coded, most
reputation was based on a series of (generally) one-time investments and
relatively little expectations regarding activity whatsoever. Well, this has
been changed.

Life in the Merchant Marines is rarely dull for those who know what they are
doing. Constantly seeking out the best bargain requires a great deal of travel
across the Realms, locating those with a need for goods and matching them up
with those who have a surplus. Money is what makes the mercantile world go
round; accordingly the merchants who make the most money inspire the greatest
'loyalty' in their crew, and achieve the greatest degree of fame. A reputable
Merchant Marine travels far, hauling cargo and passengers across the realms,
and offloading large amounts of goods across the various continents and islands
of the realms. Only the hardest working Merchant Marine can quickly achieve the
highest levels of reputation. This doesn't mean that an old and hardened
sailor won't be known for his travels either.

Something quite different than usual, the exact activity levels required in
order to gain reputation are not exact, as they are now as dynamic as the
population which they govern, rising and falling with the tides of the economy
and those who choose to partake in it.

You may choose to start earning reputation now with a 'real' quit-out, or wait
until reboot.

Furthermore, there will be additional opportunities in the future to earn
pseudo-unlimited rep (much like the combat-based alignments), though I have yet
to establish any timeline on completing these projects, albeit they have been
discussed for implementation.

Sadly, simply summoning your ship will not be enough to gain reputation anymore
(at least at any useful rate, if at all...we'll see.).

Happy sailing,

-- Lord Tarken Aurelius, the Sage