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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.
On a day like any other, you're checking your email when one in particular catches your eye. We invite you to Fragment, the subject line reads, and the sender is a name everyone is familiar with: CyberConnect Corporation.
It doesn't matter whether you signed up for Fragment's closed beta months ago or simply found the mysterious email sitting in your inbox. The fact remains that you are one of the select few chosen to participate, and in a word gone fully digital, you can't afford to turn down such an opportunity.
Those who accepted the invitation were given much more than a free pass to beta test the latest and greatest MMO. Upon confirming their participation, employees of C.C. Corp arrive at their homes and outfit them with top-of-the-line internet — a must to play such an advanced game — a brand new PC, and a state-of-the-art VR headset created by C.C. Corp themselves specifically for this beta test. You may call it excessive. They call it necessary.
When the morning of July 29th rolls around, you're finally able to access Fragment and create your character. By default, your avatar resembles your real world appearance, but naturally you're able to fully customize your look from head to toe. Want green skin? You got it. What about twintails that stretch down to the floor? You won't have to worry about those clipping through your armor in a game as advanced as Fragment. The sky is truly the limit!
Once you've settled on your avatar's appearance and class, you log into your home Root Rown: Mac Anu, a city forever at twilight with a series of canals snaking through it. It's done up in a series of flowing banners and balloons, glitter and confetti carried along by a gentle breeze you can feel along your cheeks.
Players are given some time to wander around the Root Town and acquaint themselves with the feeling of being fully immersed in a digital fantasy world, but after some time, a soft, playful voice echoes all across the Root Town.
When everyone gathers for the meeting, they're greeted by the cheerful face and pitchy voice of an enthusiastic young boy. Unlike you, a level 1 newbie without a single GP to your name, targeting the boy reveals a few things: his name is Zelkova and he's level 100. Huh. Is he cheating? Maybe he's someone important?
In either case, you'll have your answer when Zelkova begins to speak, sweeping his arms out wide to greet all the new beta testers.
With a wave of his arms, a table pops into existence before Zelkova. Sprawled out on the table is an immaculate collection of... shabby level one weapons and equipment. Yikes. What, did you think you'd be fabulous from the jump? That's not how MMOs work!
Zelkova encourages everyone to step up and grab the set (or sets, if you're an Adept Rogue) to outfit themselves.
YOUR NEW ARMOR AWAITS.
Blade Brandier:
Rusted Blade 
Leather Cap 
Ugly Cuirass 
Deft Gloves 
Worn BootsTwin Blade:
Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsWavemaster:
Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesMacabre Dancer:
Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesEdge Punisher:
Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsFlick Reaper:
Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsHarvest Cleric:
Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesLord Partizan:
Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsShadow Warlock:
Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesSteam Gunner:
Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsTribal Grappler:
Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsIt's... not very impressive, sure, but beginner sets in MMOs never are. Better get dungeon crawling if you want to step up your glamor game.
What better way to celebrate your acceptance into Fragment's prestigious beta program than a blowout party? Every inch of Mac Anu is decked out for the occasion, and once everyone has picked up their armor, Zelkova's armory disappears to reveal a vast banquet table piled high with food, drink, and party favors.
There's cuisine from every corner of the world just waiting to be devoured, and what's more, you'll taste the food like you're really eating it! Zero calories never tasted better. The drinks work much the same way, and there's even alcohol that will get you drunk in no time flat. Take it easy on the cocktails!
Still, maybe you're not feeling adequately dressed for the occasion. Never fear! There are a set of armor skins to pick from. Feeling a bit peckish? Dress up as a vegetable. If veggies aren't your style, how about this sleek little number? Those are just a few of the silly party costumes available for the occasion, and when it's time to depart, Zelkova will graciously allow you to keep your favorite skin to wear whenever you please.
Finally, don't forget to pick up some party favors! There's a foam weapon that, when equipped, takes the form of your class' weapon of choice... but what does it do, exactly? Well, hit another avatar with it and find out for yourself. There are also an array of paint ball guns, nerf guns, and water guns for use in Root Towns. Pick up one of each! Be the annoying friend no one wants to invite on a dungeon run.
Before you leave, Zelkova hands you a Greeting Card that can be emailed to anyone on your friend list. "Try sending it to one of the new friends you made today! I promise they'll love it! Oh... but be careful not to accidentally send it to someone too."
⬣ Zelkova, this level one armor sucks! I want better stuff!
"Don't worry, new player! Better equipment is a button press away! Well... after you earn it. Why don't you give Area Exploration a try?"
⬣ I'm a social butterfly ready to spread my wings and take flight on the winds of friendship! Can I start a guild?"Heehee... About that! This is a beta, you know? We're still getting stuff ready! Maybe if you wait patiently, you'll be able to form and join guilds in... a week from now. While you're waiting, make some friends! You'll need guild members!"
⬣ I hate walking! My feet hurt! I want something that will do all the hard work of moving around for me!"What? Your feet hurt...? Turn off the pain sensors in your feet! As for alternative travel methods... well, there are "those"... Oh, that's a great idea! Give me some time and I'll see about finding some Grunties for all of us!"
⬣ How can I communicate with other players? I want to stay in the loop!"Great question! That's what the official forums are for! You can ask for help, search for parties, share interesting discoveries you've made and just about anything else on your mind! Give it a try, but be careful: the head admin is kind of a grump... but you didn't hear that from me, hehe!"
no subject
[ Though he tilts his head, thinking back on what Matoba said. ]
Are you more of a solo player?
no subject
It's that way. Pretty conveniently near the gate, right? Ah, but you'll need gold first, I guess.
[Hmmm... He takes a moment to think about that. Normally he'd agree, but...] This class isn't really suited to it, from what I recall. [He clicks his tongue.] I guess I've got no choice but to find some competent players to use.
How about you? [The corner of his grin lifts.]
no subject
[ But. ]
If you're a magical DPS, that probably holds true though. You're a squishy mage.
no subject
[He's one of those players, yeah. Lining up to play a game despite complaining about it non-stop.]
Right? Magic that can't do anything but do damage isn't really going to be easy to solo until I get to the higher levels, so looks like I'm stuck with all these chumps for now. At least once general release comes around, maybe we'll get to keep our avatars. What do you think?
no subject
[ Though he really doesn't understand how beta testing works other than being able to play the game before anyone else and reporting bugs and other errors. ]
Though I'm kinda surprised they took people who aren't familiar with MMOs. Is it to measure how newbie-friendly it can get?
[ He can't see the reason otherwise.
But also, for some reason, he feels like he's being dropped into the chump category too. ]
no subject
[Like the guy earlier who said he just found a random email in his inbox one day. Sure is a trusting bunch...] It made sense to me when I received one, since I've been playing their games for a while [Don't ask about his CCC account suspension history] but you'd think beta testing would be for people who know what to look for.
Oh, well. All the easier to get to the top.
[Oriade, you're reading the room correctly. At least you get points for seeming experienced, though, so you're only a little bit of a chump.]
no subject
Get to the top in reaching the level cap? PvP ranks?
[ Is that a challenge? ]
no subject
After all, you'll never be able to keep pace with the endgame dungeons, otherwise. We in the beta have an advantage, so what's the use in wasting it?
[And Matoba does love rare equipment.]
no subject
[ He wonders how much he'll have to grind for this, but it doesn't seem too bad--just disorienting since it's VR and not tapping keys on a keyboard and furiously clicking the mouse button. The meta always changes. ]
Should I see expect to see at level cap by the end of this week?
no subject
[Matoba is very much the 'bursts of intense, grinding gameplay' type, rather than the slow and steady. Unfortunately, he does have to log off to take care of things in reality....]
It's a good thing if there's competent party members who can keep up with me, since it's not like I can solo the content for a little while.
no subject
[ Is Oriade going to solo a dungeon? Probably. VR games are still new to him in particular, but not MMOs. Why not learn while he's forced to learn to fight for his digital life? ]
Who knows, maybe you'll find something no one else can!
no subject
To act without planning is a fool's errand.
[A genial smile. While 0koto might seem like the flippant and off-the-cuff sort, he was also careful and meticulous. The part of his reputation that actually made the rounds had little to do with how he played.]
[Which was fine. Better that others didn't know what to expect.]
A few test runs to get a sense for the combat system are in order before I consider anything like that.
no subject
Well, if you're down, I'd like to get a PvP round with you after reaching level cap.
[ Would it be a waste of time? He'd really like to gauge this guy's seriousness in action, since he's feeling the vibe in droves. ]
no subject
[What an interesting individual. He wouldn't have pegged this guy as the aggressive type, but he didn't dislike it. That sort of initiative was rare in these kinds of games.]
...Suit yourself. It's not likely to be a very interesting match if we only have the basics available to us, but maybe we will be able to learn something from it, hm?
About this game, or otherwise.
no subject
[ But he says that with a grin. He is so ready for that challenge. ]
But what are games, if not full of personal interests one way or another? I should probably get going though. I'm Oriade! See ya later, Koto!
[ koto-chaaaaaan
He will run off before hearing any complaints though. Bye... ]
no subject
I can't argue with that... [He comments, about to ask just what Oriade's interest in this was, but-- There he goes.]
[Koto........ He'll take the shortening over the intentional misreading. Hmph.]