Ok, so based on what you said, or didn't say, I wondered how it would look if I just darkened up the levels of the ship
Originally I wanted a weathered looking parchment so wanted some of the fade but I'm not sure now so let's see...
Here is a side by side comparison. This first is the original, the second has the lower decks darkened.
edit: After looking at it the only real difference is that the lower decks are a lot more black. The original has a more brown tint to the ink. I'm not sure that it makes much difference to me but then I've stared at it too long already.