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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!"
dont shoot me, bro
[FWOOSH! Another stream of water blasts out at Yael's face, Matoba pumping the action on this water-shotgun like a mobster in an old 50's flick. He's not exactly perfectly dry himself, with his long black hair clinging to his shoulder like a wet cat, but he doesn't seem to be minding it one bit.]
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[Yael barely gets his retort out before he's getting blasted in the face by a stream of water yet again. Seriously! Whose bright idea were the water guns!! He hates it here.]
Hey. Why don't you go run along and play with the other kids? I said I'm not interested.
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[Matoba checks the tank in his super-squirter with a hum. Good thing the hub-world is a water city. Do they need to reload these...?] You, on the other hand- with that scowl on your face, you seem like you'll be a lot of fun.
[He gestures to Yael's face.] Hope you're not a Gunner.
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[Because if he was a gunner, he'd have shot this guy in the face by now. Instead, Yael pulls out his good ol' rusty railroad spikes and. Well. He's not exactly showing them off, but look at them. Aren't they glorious?]
I'd have to chase you down and stab you to death if you annoyed me enough.
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[Matoba gestures to his hip, where his travel pamphlet is stuffed into the belt of his robe.] I'll just keep my distance and fry you to a crisp before you can try.
...Not that it matters. Battle is deactivated here. Or have you tried to stab someone to death already?
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[And here he was really hoping he could stab that fool with the yaoi ore to death right in the middle of town. Oh well!]
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How scary...... [With that smile, Matoba is obviously not at all scared.] I'm sure with your charming personality, you'll have no problems in a party-based game like this.
[Leaning towards him, Matoba brandishes the watergun like he's going to take aim again.] You'd get shot less often, at least.
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[If you ask Yael, they're both the kinds of people who don't blend well with others. Even so, he's not offended nor intimated by the man, simply redirecting the nose of his water gun away from his face.]
Don't tell me you act like this in real life. You'd get shot a lot quicker than me.
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[Matoba's grin, while somewhat plastered on previously, sharpens with genuine delight at Yael's words. But he tones it back down again after another moment, holstering his blaster beside his pamphlet.]
There's an occasion for everything. For being a loner and being with a group, too. But physical DPS is useful to have, so I'm sure you'll find yourself in a party whether you like it or not.
I'll keep you in mind. [Smile!]
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[You know what? That actually manages to pull a smirk out of Yael. Imagine that.]
We'll see what happens.
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[Matoba's head tilts, satisfaction showing on his face at getting the little bit of reaction out of the man. It's something, certainly. You can learn a bit about someone, just by seeing what will make them react.]
Right. Well, old man, I have more cake to stash in my pockets, [He wiggles his open hands. His inventory is already full of all kinds of junk, let alone water guns and the like.] If you're going to try to fly solo, you ought to stash some healing for when you inevitably get one-shot.
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Mm, that sounds like effort. Why don't you bring me some instead? Do the hard work so I don't have to.
[Cheeky, cheeky.]
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[He pulls out one of those pieces of cake.. and then bites into it himself. He doesn't need HP; he just wants to be an ass.]
Training wheels are for those "kids" you were talking about, right? Not a mature old man like you. Surely, you can take care of yourself.
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Nah. Not interested. You can try and goad me all you want, but you're not gonna tell me how to play this game.
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[He doesn't have to try very hard at all; he's got what he wanted out of this guy- a good laugh.]
When you end up kicked back here on your ass from a solo run, I suppose you'll understand.
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[He doesn't doubt he'll get his ass kicked multiple times over before he figures this game out. Still, he'd like to learn the ropes without an audience of people eager to laugh at his expense.]
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[At least he's got the idea. The old guy seems like a glutton for punishment, so Matoba figures he won't even have to raise a finger.]
[He waves a hand, turning back towards the rest of the merriment in the plaza. And also, maybe to refill his water gun.]
We'll see if that stubbornness of yours wins out, hm? Don't give up so easily, or I'll be disappointed.
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And with that, he pivots on his heel and turns to leave, but not without a few parting words.]
By all means, dig your own grave. I'm not here to entertain you.
[Farewell for now. Unfortunately, Yael knows this won't be the last time they encounter each other.]