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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!"
i. 🧛♂️🏴☠️
Oh, hello! And sure I would.
[ Alcohol tugs at his cadence, only making him sound more genuine. What an easy target, comically dressed as a drunken pirate. He gives the other player's skin a once over, smile just as friendly. ]
How could anyone turn down such a cool vampire?
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A vampire?
[ That gives him pause but, after looking down at his armor's skin, ah. Yes, he could see how that could be one way to look at the butler outfit. There's a faint huff of laughter from Fandaniel when he looks back up. ]
Why, I suppose I am that. Ah, but that makes you a pirate. I take it you won't try to rob me of my booty if we go looking for loot?
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I won't! But only if you promise not to try drinking my blood.
[ look, a friend request. ]
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I believe I can fight the temptation to suck on your neck for the time being. [ Phrasing. ] Let's head over to the Chaos Gate. I have just the right words for the Area we'll want in mind.
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Oh really, what words?
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[ Which sounds terrible, actually. Pulsating is a terrible word but even Fandaniel manages to say it with some amount of a giggle in his voice. It's funny, kind of. ]
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Have a friendly pat aimed for a shoulder. ]
Wow, you have a way with words!
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[ Compliment well-recieved once the giggling trails off. Look at them, clearly, this is all just going to be a fun and not at all frustrating dungeon run whatsoever! ]
Onward, then! To the gate.
[ And he'll whirl about on a heel and head off towards the root town's Chaos Gate. No doubt with Tylor in tow, once they get there, he'll pop open the interface and pick those exact words. Once it's set and accepted, the gate drops them off in the middle of a vast snowy field, cold wind whipping about them and tugging at the hair and clothing of their avatars. Off ahead of them, through the pristine white snow, is a dip in the field that bursts with greenery, a forest seemingly existing at the heart of such a desolate snowscape. ]
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[ Tylor is immediately distracted by their new surroundings, as this were a blizzard holiday instead. Arms spread to feel as much of it as he can, he takes a few bounding strides out into the snowy field with a laugh. Even if he has to twirl around to do it, he turns to his other party member.
This will end well. He beams at him, oblivious. ]
Come on, let's explore!
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[ If only he could have been there for that. It sounds far more interesting than a forest in the middle of a snowfield. In any case, Fandaniel trails along after Tylor as he bounds away laughing. ]
It's clear out there! [ He calls to his cheerful party member over the cold wind whipping past. ] But the dungeon is in the trees at the center! Plenty of monsters there!
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[ His trail isn't the most straightforward as he trudges through the snow, marveling at the realistic crunch beneath his boots. But it meanders towards the center eventually.
He'll wait for That Daniel to catch up. ]
Wow, you know this area pretty well, don't you?
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[ Ah yes, the humble meat bee, so full of. Meat. Well, bees aside, once Tylor begins meandering in a wild, wiggly-waggly line through the snow, Fandaniel will set his course to merely go straight through the trail he's left behind rather than following it precisely. ]
I do! Although I think most of the areas outside the dungeon are absent of spawned beasties, hmm?
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[ Tylor doesn't slow to a halt until he's cleared the snow and greeted grass. Before the trees, his fingers come to lace behind his head. Not a worry in the world. ]
Oh, really? I had no idea.
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[ Let's see how many times they can say meat bees. Sooner or later, it'll lose all meaning. Ah, but here's the dungeon. Fandaniel steps off of the snow, joining Tylor on the grass. Now that they've arrived, his attention will flit over towards his party member, an eyebrow quirked. ]
You're an Adept Rogue, yes? What class are you on right now?
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[ Poof, now he's got his stop sign equipped and he hits it into the ground between them with a smile. He's even got a better one now after that first dungeon but the stop sign really speaks to him right now.
STOP. ]
You got it right! Well, I don't really know how it works, but I can equip and switch things all the time. But I guess right now I'm Lord Partizan?
[ stop sign waggle, paired with a dumb smile. ]
Pretty cool, right?
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[ In any case, Fandaniel offers a wide smile to Tylor when he confirms his Adept Rougeness and that he's on Lord Partizan currently. So, his armor and HP will be higher than expected, most like. ]
Ah, Lord Partizan. [ That earns a single clap from the Shadow Warlock as if to go 'aha, right!' ] That makes you quite the tank, yes? Why don't you run ahead and pull every monster you see just ahead?
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[ Tylor asks it more to himself than anything, sounding unsure in a way that seems innocent and not like he's trying to be annoying at all.
Regardless, Tylor meets that smile with one of his own. His agreement comes easy. Tylor mock salutes him as he takes his first few steps, backwards towards the trees. ]
Got it! Just leave it to me, fanny.
[ off he goes. ]
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[ Even though Tylor wasn't asking him specifically, he, being ever-so-helpful, still answers. Not that it matters. Off Tylor goes, heading into the trees, and Fandaniel is in no particular hurry to catch up. He'll wait for Tylor to attract all of the aggro from the nearest mob packs before making an appearance.
Let's see how well Tylot can do solo... ]
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Tylor's speed is faster than that of a full Lord Partizan though he has less health than one too. But it's still more health than a full tribal grappler. So even with the slips, falls, and misses, Tylor is barely scratched by the time he's collected all the mobs he can find in their immediate area.
Of course now he's running right towards Fanny with a big smile on his dumb face and a line of star fish and phantom wings. ]
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Wait. Why isn't he dead? How has he barely taken any damage?! How many did he even pull?!?! ]
Ah.
[ This is unexpected and with Tylor making a beeline (not waspline) his way, he raises his own weapon — a tome — and flings a blast of fire his way as he approaches. Now, he is aiming for Tylor, but... there's also an entire line of enemies behind him, so. ]
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Unfortunately, the relief distracts him from the terrain long enough that he trip and eats grass. That spell almost grazes him, but instead it hits the closest mob right behind him.
Tylor takes a little dmg this time, spouts of water making him laugh as he jumps back up to his feet to start his run up again. Helpfully, he calls out happily-- ]
Wow, thanks, that was a close one!
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Of course! What else is a teammate for?
[ Fandaniel calls back, still managing to affect some tone of good cheer as he calls up yet another round of Vak Kruz to fling Tylor's way once he's up and running again. Surely this one will hit. ]
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Good thing Fan's already shot off a spell at it! It's enough to injure it and draw aggro as it turns its huge body, and attention, to the spellcaster. Thud, thud, here it comes.
Tylor scrambles up with only some damage from the mobs that get a few attacks in before he's back up and running like a madman around the lake. He can't reach it with his stop sign, so he's actually trying to make it around to head it off.
But just in case, he calls out cheerily -- ]
Watch out!
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If you could... get over here?! Stop lagging behind this th—!
[ But it's reached him and it whips about to smack Fandaniel with its tail, sending the little Shadow Warlock flying a good yard or three away and landing in the snow with a puff of white. ]
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He smacks the Watersaurus's tail with his stop sign, pulling its ire away from where it had begun stalking Fan into the snow.
It turns slowly and Tylor paths around its backside. ]
Are you okay over there?
[ At least the tank is still in good spirits! But he does sound genuinely concerned on the way over to check on him. Of course, the surviving mobs plus the Watersaurus are still following him to the snow party. ]
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