Written by [[60 Characters/Yellow Player|Yellow Player]] and [[60 Characters/Gamer|Gamer]] ![[90 Archive Assemblage/93 Sound Suite/Ragnarok Online OST 01 Title|Ragnarok Online OST 01 Title]] Ah, the allure of those harmonious tunes, like a siren's song, pulling me back into the game. The piano melody from the loading screen never fails to ignite a spark of anticipation within me. It's much like the familiar chime of an old Nintendo game cartridge being inserted into its system - it signifies the beginning of a journey, an adventure waiting to unfold. The flute's chorus is as captivating as the piano melody. Its soft notes seem to flutter in the air, creating an ambiance so serene that it feels as if time slows down every time I hear it. These melodies are a testament to the power of music in MMORPGs, how they can create a sense of place and emotion that complements gameplay and elevates the entire gaming experience. In actuality, these tunes are more than just background music – they are an integral part of my gaming experience. They reside not only in those old Compaq Speakers I used to have back then but also linger in my mind, carrying them throughout my day-to-day life. They remind me of that 'online' dimension where [[60 Characters/Yellow Player|Yellow Player]] existed in that specific decade, constantly calling me back towards it, like a good chapter in a good book. There is something inherently nostalgic about these sounds that resonates deeply within me - a nostalgia for simpler times, perhaps, when games were not just about winning or losing but about experiencing a different world altogether. I reckon it's hardly a revelation that I'm not the only one who harbors a deep nostalgia for those bygone days. The 80s and 90s were, after all, a golden era of gaming that many of us hold dear. There's an undeniable comfort in knowing we all share this common thread, each with our own unique tapestry woven from pixels and code. ## My First Character It makes me grin whenever I remember the thrill of creating my first character - a [[Ragnarok Online Swordsman|Swordsman]]. Something was compelling about wielding a sword and battling against all fantastical creatures. But this wasn't the only role I explored; over a couple decades after, I've played all [[40 Vault/42 Realm/424 Video Game/Ragnarok Online Jobs|Jobs]], each with their unique abilities and challenges. It might not sound cool; however, my wild imagination made it all look 10 times better. so I quickly created [[Ragnarok Online Character Sever|Sever]] my first character ever. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online Swordman.png]] From that point onward, it was a race to reach the highest possible level. And not many games made me feel the fire of wanting to 'Level Up'. Ragnarok Online's leveling system was one of the **grindiest**. Having to kill **forty thousand** monsters for one single level was normal. And yet, there was a certain charm to it. Grinding for experience points was more than just the end goal of leveling up. The countless hours spent hunting monsters, uncovering hidden dungeons, and forming parties with other players, these were all part of the epic journey that defined Ragnarok Online. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online South Prontera Monsters by MrWhitefolks.png]] by [[MMD] Ragnarok Online Monsters -- DL by MrWhitefolks on DeviantArt](https://www.deviantart.com/mrwhitefolks/art/MMD-Ragnarok-Online-Monsters-DL-824475214) The sense of accomplishment when you finally leveled up after a long grind was immense. It felt like you genuinely earned it. You didn't just gain a level; you gained a story, an experience, a memory. And lots of street cred. ### A First Love and Lots of Friends How long did it take me to get to higher levels? **Over 6 months**. The main reason is another one of the most memorable experiences in Ragnarok Online. Meeting my "first love", an Acolyte with a name that fades away in my memory now; however, the associated feelings remain vividly etched in my mind. They had the depth of a thin hair strand, yet they were powerful enough to bring excitement and thrill. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online Hunter and Swordman Hangout.png]] Back then, I had a much harder time communicating as I was timid; however, this acolyte had a way with words that somewhat cornered me into accepting a "relationship" - it was awkward, but I remember the excitement from typing cryptic "love" messages. I'm sure many of us remember those early days of online gaming, where the lines between reality and the virtual world often blurred, especially when forming relationships. The excitement was palpable as we navigated through uncharted territories, crafting messages filled with cryptic symbols and coded language. A simple 'I like you' could be transformed into a string of numbers and letters that only the recipient would understand, usually in the form of an in-game emote. Being more of an introvert back then, it wasn't always easy for me to express my feelings openly; however, being behind the screen gave me a certain sense of security that helped me overcome my shyness. After all, I was Sever the Swordman. It was awkward at first; however, this experience taught me valuable lessons about communication and relationships in both the virtual and real world. Looking back, those were some good old times. The sense of community in MMORPGs was unmatched - we were not just players but inhabitants of a shared universe, each with unique stories to tell. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online Outside Geffen.png]] I get sad when I think about the screenshots and moments that looked like an eternity. Me sitting on a flying island somewhere next to Geffen the fantasy [[Ragnarok Online Magician|Magician]] city chatting with people I used to know. ![[90 Archive Assemblage/93 Sound Suite/Ragnarok Online OST 25 Plateu|Ragnarok Online OST 25 Plateu]] The social aspect of Ragnarok was one feature that made it truly special for me. South Prontera, the field just outside the gate, served as our haven where we would gather to chat and unwind after a long day of questing and battling monsters. The camaraderie formed here often spilled over to late-night chats and shared secrets. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online South Prontera.png]] Now that I remember it, almost every corner of the world felt like a magical place to make friends. It was a game that allowed you to quickly help new players. You could grab a Poring, one of those pink blob monsters you see in the screenshot above, and let it fail to hit you while the [[Ragnarok Online Novice|Novice]] hit it without receiving damage. Sometimes, the impromptu act of kindness would become a complex mission, like in the screenshot below where three players level 26+ attempt to help a [[Ragnarok Online Novice|Novice]] become a [[Ragnarok Online Thief|Thief]] by guiding them across the Sograt Desert. ![[Assets/Ragnarok Online Lint the Adventurer.png]] I have so many stories to tell so many beautiful memories to go through; however, I'm unable to write them all now. So, instead of doing that, I shall list a few, hoping that one day, I can circle back and write about them. - I was an avid MVP hunter; I wrote timers to support tracking and hunting Boss Monsters. I was among the few with a Golden Thief Bug Card, which ignored Magic in an Official Server. I liked equipping it on throw-away characters and spooking Wizards with a Swordman. - I used to play Ragnarok Online with strangers over the internet; however, for an extended period, I played with people from my school. - I was a Game Master hired by an Official Server during a period of time; it was a fun and exciting experience. - I used to play and support work on Private Servers. Some of the first code and stories that I wrote were Quests and NPCs in-game. - I used to "multi-box" by playing several players at all times. This is the game that made me passionate about it. - I earned my first few dollars selling a valuable item in this game. Although it was against the TOS, it changed my life by allowing for a better computer at the time. - The last time I played Ragnarok Online was in 2022 with [[Green Player]] ## My Favorite Songs in Ragnarok Online ![[90 Archive Assemblage/93 Sound Suite/Ragnarok Online OST Favorite Songs|Ragnarok Online OST Favorite Songs]] ### Want to Read More? An old site that had some of the images used in this entry can be found here, it is a heartwarming story. Not super accessible as it's over over 20 years old, but good enough: [Ragnarok Online Precious Memories](https://www.geocities.ws/lord-ace/ragnarok/memories.html)  Last Modified in %%`=dateformat(this.modified, "MM/dd/yyyy")`%%**11/19/2023**  Created in %%`=dateformat(this.created, "MM/dd/yyyy")`%%**10/26/2023**