:root{
  /* ---- Shadows — soft, navy-tinted, never black ---- */
  --shadow-sm:0 2px 6px -2px rgba(14,31,60,.14);
  --shadow-md:0 10px 24px -14px rgba(14,31,60,.28);
  --shadow-lg:0 24px 48px -28px rgba(14,31,60,.35);

  /* ---- Signature gradients ---- */
  --grad-cover:linear-gradient(180deg,var(--brand-navy-deep),var(--brand-navy) 70%);
  --grad-diag:linear-gradient(160deg,var(--brand-navy-deep),var(--brand-navy) 75%);
  --grad-rule:linear-gradient(90deg,var(--brand-blue),var(--brand-gold)); /* top-of-slide accent rule */

  /* ---- Motion ---- */
  --ease-out:cubic-bezier(.22,.61,.36,1); /* @kind other */
  --dur-fast:120ms; /* @kind other */
  --dur:200ms;      /* @kind other */
  --dur-slow:600ms; /* @kind other */

  /* ---- Focus ring ---- */
  --focus-ring:0 0 0 2px var(--white),0 0 0 4px var(--brand-blue);
}