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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!"
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[Is that overstepping? Sinclair doesn't want to push too much. But he does worry. And maybe it's the armor cloaking him in its warmth and affection but he feels like he can speak a little more confidently than he could before.
Victory is within his grasp.
That kind of feeling.
It's nice.
He nods, drawing out his lance to prepare himself for the final enemy]
I'm ready.
[If it's like the other dungeons, they will be given a second to prepare before they step inside. That means he can be a good and proper shield]
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A lot of people worry about him, here.
With Sinclair's confirmation, he pushes open the door, which opens into an impossibly broad, circular room, its walls just onion-tipped, glass window panes that reach for the ceiling, a flash of lightning blinding the whole room white - and then, in its wake, leaving the figure of a horrifyingly large, questionably dressed, Ironball Titan dimly lit. A low, guttural sound of rage escapes its throat, and the rumble of its voice seems to almost cause the floor to tremble.
Mithrun's expression hardens. )
... These are slow, but powerful. Don't get thrown out a window. Areas have fall damage enabled.
( But! He won't rush off immediately. He'll let Sinclair get into position as he draws his broad claymore, getting ready to set off a combo when the both of them are ready. )
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Sure a thing.
Wow.
'Slow but powerful'. He might be familiar with that. He nods, adjusting his lance as he steps forward. He thinks he should be faster than this sort of monster. The lance feels steady in his hand. It belongs there]
...I'll be careful.
[And be careful he is - he doesn't let the first swing of that mace-like arm smash into his armor, even if it is momentarily tempting to see how much damage it can cause him.
He steps back instead, to the side and scans the titan for any weaknesses. It's slow. He moves, stepping in with a triple wield. He has a feeling magic would be more effective on a thing like this, but they work with what they have.
Besides. Mithrun is fast. He's sure he has the opening he needs now]
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He kicks back from it, swinging his sword back to rudder his momentum into a safe landing and shift into another combo, and he lands with a bleat.
?
Startled, Mithrun looks down - he hasn't the slightest clue where this came from, or if it just spawned here
possibly because the player forgot the result said this affect happens during the run- but there's a Dark Goat that he accidentally kicked into a wall when he landed, bleating happily in the process.Suddenly, a weight hits both him and Sinclair, as if gravity had just doubled for the two of them alone - their party's speed is cut by 50% for the rest of the run. Looks like this is a much more even battle. Happily, the goat seems to trot off, running off between the titan's legs and out of sight entirely - with a grin that reminds Mithrun for a moment of his professor. Hm!
Mithrun, the last one to strike it, is the one who has the Titan's eye, though. During all this commotion, it's raised its heavy mace to strike slow, intending to bring it down upon Mithrun - but Sinclair remains much closer to it, and it's quite heavily injured after Mithrun's previous strike. )
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[Sinclair is baffled by the goat that goes prancing away, but there's no time to be distracted. Except, for as slow as the titan is, he's now slower]
...ah.
[He moves. S l o w l y. Matching the Titan's pace as he launches his spear into a Thorn Dance, slamming it into its injured side]
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The titan roars in agony, staggering - it falls to its knee with such force the tower shakes and the windows shatter, glass grazing their skin and armor and scattering across the floor dangerously for a DoT-like effect - there's no way to avoid stepping on it at their slowed speed.
Mithrun is undeterred. He darts forward, unhappily slow, and slices at its arms with a Calamity - another howl of agony as its maces are sliced off. It thrashes about, massively slow but dealing normal attack damage - Mithrun grimaces, too slow to dodge. Its HP is in critical, and after the glass and the titan's trashing, so is he - as much as he's trying to back away, he's too slow. )
Finish it off!
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[He's used to being slow, but it's terribly annoying being slow, and not being able to be a good proper shield. He manages to move, stepping forward in front of Mithrun to absorb anymore blows and hits again with one last Thorn Dance to delete the Iron Golem for good]
Haah...that's over. [Panting a little as he turns...and lumbers very s l o w l y to Mithrun] Are you okay?
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The Iron Golem finally goes down with a fierce cry, dissolving into violent sparks of lighting which disperse out of the room - and back to the storm outside.
Mithrun looks Unhappy because he's slow, but, despite his injuries, he's still standing. Being slow is the worst debuff on the planet, worse than anything else he's encountered in Fragment ever obviously. He does not like that goat. )
... I feel fine. ( Ignore his HP, ) ... We can gate back to a Root Town. Our HP will regenerate faster there.
( Since Sinclair doesn't look too hot, either. )
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[Now, it's a matter of actually moving to get back to the gate.
This debuff is probably one of the worst.
But also, ow. His HP bar has seen better days despite the damage being halved compared to Mithrun's]