⬣//BLOSSOMING FROM A GAP IN THE ASPHALT.

[cccorp]

>>NAVAL MONTE // >>HEALTH // >>ROGUE NPC // >>CONFERENCE // >>Zelkova Corner

⬣//A TOWERING MOUNTAIN AMIDST THE WAVES

A new Root Town has been revealed: Naval Monte, a tiered city built upon a mountain jutting up from an endless expanse of ocean. These fortified walls house an innumerable number of NPCs who, unlike those which occupy other Root Towns, are quite a bit more advanced.

Those of you who spend entirely too much time logged in have no doubt noticed the set patterns the NPCs of Mac Anu and Lumina Cloth take to move from area to area. Their paths never change. Their dialog rarely diverges. Talking to a freshly painted wall would be more stimulating than conversing with your run of the mill NPC, but Naval Monte's are different.

They move in accordance with their own whims, seldom found in the same place twice. Some NPCs have entire families while others boast elaborate backstories and speak at length of their tales of bravery and triumphs over evil. While they won't accept your party invites, they may instead invite you to share a meal with their family and regale you with stories until you've had your fill.

Travel far enough into the depths of the city and you'll hear tales of a graveyard that sits within the core of the mountain, but the NPCs who guard this elusive site are defensive at best. Don't expect them to let you in, but given their advanced nature, you may be able to wheedle some valuable information out of them.

Be aware that there is a price to enter Naval Monte. After crossing the vast bridge leading right up to the mountain city, you'll be accosted by no less than a dozen eager vendors fighting to peddle their wares to you. Some are so desperate that they ask only for a single GP, and in exchange, they grant you passage to the city.

Ask them why they're so desperate to make a sale and they'll answer plainly: if you don't, the curse will persist.

⬣//FOR YOUR HEALTH

Come Saturday morning, an email flagged as urgent pops up in your inbox.

To our beta team,

It has come to our attention that a number of our beta testers have failed to report previous underlying health conditions that may negatively impact their ability to perform their duties as intended.

In our ongoing efforts to monitor the health and safety of our beta testing team, all participants in Fragment's closed beta test will be required to complete a health screening before the date of September 16th in order to continue participating in the beta.

Beta participants will be matched with a health professional in their area and the fees for their screening and assessment waived. As such, it is necessary that you make an appointment with the medical professional assigned to you or select another from within our network.

No exceptions will be made for those who fail to submit their health assessments to CyberConnect's Health and Human Resources department. Termination from Fragment's beta testing program and applicable legal action will be taken in the event that you fail to participate in these necessary steps.

We take the health and safety of our beta testers very seriously. If you have any concerns, please contact us at cccorp.ccmail.com.

Thank you for your continued efforts,
CyberConnect Corporation of Japan.

⬣//ON THE RUN

Murmurs of an unusual NPC have begun to circulate within Naval Monte.

According to eye witnesses, one of the local residents has "gone rogue". According to them, a woman with dishwater eyes and hair messily pulled into a loose bun has been spotted going door to door begging to be let in.

"We need to go," she shouts, her eyes glossy with tears, her every word slurred. "We'll be safe there! We'll be free! We can't live like this anymore!"

From what you've heard, that woman has managed to break free from the confines of her native Root Town and has been seen running through the streets in Mac Anu, Lumina Cloth, and the nameless Root Town in the sky. You may have even come across her, accosted in the street and urged to listen to her increasingly erratic ramblings.

"I need you to take me there! Take me to him! His father left the key within him!"

Ultimately, nothing you say or do will influence the woman's behavior or calm her down. All you'll get for your troubles is an ill feeling in the pit of your gut, something that blooms from within you and spreads infinitely outwards. An infection you can't cure.

You won't realize that the infection has begun to spread and mutate until you see it blossoming all around you, your fellow testers complaining of an unidentifiable malaise. You'll know what afflicts you and everyone you've infected when it's far too late to do anything about it. Until this unfortunate "bug" is patched, you'll continue to get sicker and sicker. The progression of the illness is as follows:

Stage one: The complete inability to lie, but is that really a bad thing? We could all stand to be more honest and communicative.

Stage two: The loss of one of your key senses, but only one. Maybe it's your sense of smell. Your keen tongue. Your vision. Whatever it is, it's a vital part of you that won't return to you until you log off, but when you next log in, you may find that a different sense has gone missing instead.

Stage three: Disconnect from your real world body. You'll realize after several days have passed that you can no longer feel your real self as keenly as before. You may not realize you've slapped yourself in the face or knocked a tooth out on the edge of your desk until you log out for the day and witness the extent of the damage.

Final stage: Memory loss. Your head feels foggy. Concentrating becomes a struggle, your thoughts sluggishly crawling through your mind and and ultimately losing their way. In the final stages of the illness, you may forget to log out for days at a time and wake to find yourself passed out on the floor with your headset jostled loose, inadvertently freeing you from the game.

The "cure," aside from a timely patch, may hide somewhere within the game. Before your senses leave you, you'd better start asking around.

⬣//YOU CAN TRUST US. WE PROMISE.

As many of you know, it isn't easy to get ahold of CyberConnect when you need them. Hien is, at best, completely useless. Pete isn't much better. It's for these reasons and more that players have been invited to a digital conference and encouraged to give a voice to the rising concerns within the beta testing community.

The conference is to be held, both ICly and OOCly, on September 23rd at 12PM EST. If you have any burning questions to ask the people who hold power and influence over the state of the game and what happens within it, you can't afford to complain about timezones. This is your opportunity to speak your mind and have those questions answered.

OOCly, the conference will begin on September 23rd at 12PM EST and end on October 7th at 12PM EST. During this time, your characters can ask whatever questions they'd like of CyberConnect corporate staff, bring up concerns, and provide insights on their beta testing experiences.

Participation is mandatory (ICly), so set your alarms and don't be late!

⬣//ZELKOVA’S CORNER

Hello, everyone! Sorry I was away for a while. I got stuck in an outer level of the game and it took me a week to get back, but I should be just fine now! I hope I didn't miss anything too serious...

I did see that all of you have worked hard on those recipes, though! I liked all of them so much that I've added each of them into the game so that everyone can make their own. Congratulations!

>>Navigation

Comments

[bleatingedge]

1.//Care For a Meal? (Naval Monte)

[Leo was going to ignore the friendly NPC family inviting him into their home, but they offered to feed him and it was a done deal after that. You can't pass up home cooked meals! Especially AI generated home cooked meals - that's a taste worth exploring.

So there he sits, listening to their tales and (im)patiently waiting for food, when he spots their front door opening and someone else stepping in to join the festivities.]

Oh hey. Didn't expect to see you here.

2.//Winter Window Watching (Eisig Ski Lodge)

[Nothing like a comfy lodge in the middle of winter to get in an extra cozy mood. Cradling a cup of hot chocolate in both hands, he sits sprawled out on a couch next to a fireplace and a window, watching the snow fall in contentment.

Do you wish to join him, or ruin his relaxation? Or possibly both!]

3.//Doing Your Research (Wanderhalle Library)

Man. What happened here?

[The sound of hoofsteps echo throughout the library as Leo skims the shelves, surveying the damage and scanning for anything interesting.]

I wonder what secrets are still within these walls...

[Any information is good information at this point, especially considering how cryptic this game can be.]

4.//Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with anything involving the newly added areas or current goings-on as of 9/9!]

1. CARE FOR A MEAL

[insinning]

Ah--Leo. You're here too?

[Sinclair blinks in surprise. He's gently and politely manhandled into a seat and he has to whisper across the table]

I feel like they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

[bleatingedge]

[Leo chuckles and keeps his own voice low to match Sinclair's.]

I can't deny such warm hospitality. [He's not entirely lying, but there's another perk to sitting in here.

Speaking of which, here it is! A plate of curry is placed in front of both of the guests.]

Ooo~ Thank you kindly.

[The wavemaster immediately digs in, practically exhaling steam out of his nose as he gobbles it down. Man is this curry spicy. But he doesn't seem to mind!]

[insinning]

--thank you.

[Smiling at their hosts as he too takes a bite and.

Ah.

Aaaaaaaahhh. He valiantly manages not to spit out the food, as he forces himself to swallow. Water? Water]

[bleatingedge]

[Leo can't help but snort at Sinclair's reaction. Sure he may be sweating himself, but the burn of spicy food is something he's come to appreciate over time.

With a flick of his wrist, he yoinks a drink out of his inventory. Grape juice, it looks like.]

Here.

[The bottle of juice slides across the table in Sinclair's direction.]

[insinning]

[Downing it without even thanking Leo first. Quenching the fire first, manners later!

He remembers his manners when he dabs politely at his mouth with a napkin at least]

...i-it doesn't burn anymore...

[Staring down at the bowl in front of him with mild horror]

How many chillies are in this?

[bleatingedge]

["No chilies," one of the NPCs say. "Just some powdered demon horn."

Another snort escapes Leo.]

Dang, demon horn? Nice. I gotta get some of that to use in my dishes.

[He looks down at his now empty plate.]

May I have some more?

["Of course," they say, heading back into the kitchen to fix another plate for their guest.]

3

[dissimulative]

[ It is Saturday and Oria tries to find things too, but all he can see are books, books, and more books... Then he sees Leo and runs to catch up to him. ]

Faunus! Do you have any windy magic?

[bleatingedge]

Hey there... Oriade, right? [Leo ponders the question.] Unfortunately not. I think I have access to everything but wind at this point. Any particular reason why?

[dissimulative]

Yeah! I'm Oriade~

[ And that's a shame, because-- ]

I was wondering if the wind magic could like... air out the mold or something. It's so damp in here.

[bleatingedge]

Well, another way to dry things out is with heat. [Leo immediately puts up his hands.] Now I'm not saying we should torch the place! But perhaps we can set up small controlled burns?

[dissimulative]

If they're small and controlled, they probably won't be able to do much...

[ ... ]

It would be nice if we can just get a huge blow dryer for this, huh?

[ Heat and air! Alas. ]

I'm not sure about Wavemaster spells, but can you summon creatures? I saw Shadow Warlocks do it, so I'm not sure...

[bleatingedge]

No summoning spells, just raw offense for the most part. Got a healing spell and a poison DoT, but those aren't the main focus of the class.

[A finger traces along his chin as he ponders their options.]

Perhaps something craftable can help us clean this mess up?

2.//Winter Window Watching

[tylorific]

[ Tylor surprisingly does have the loudest steps in the world, but he does nothing to promote stealth here as he almost walks past Leo's couch in the lodge. That is, before he leans to rest his elbows on the back of said couch with his own hot chocolate in his hands. Eyes to the snow, the fire, and then to Leo. ]

Watcha' up to, boss?

[bleatingedge]

Heya Tylor.

[Looking up to his fellow guild member, Leo smiles.]

Just enjoying some hot chocolate while watching the snow fall. It's quite relaxing.

[His attention goes back to the window.]

You're free to join me if you'd like.

[tylorific]

Really? I'd love to.

[ Tylor agrees easily, ready to climb over the back of the couch to join him. He even leans his weight onto one hand to start the move. But, there's a sudden pause with a soft hum.

Some cog is turning that wasn't there before, looking over Leo with the slightest of frowns. ]

Well, I really do like cuddling. And you look so comfortable, I sure am envious. But I wonder if it'd make him upset? You know, it's funny, I never considered that kind of thing before.

[ Yeah, he looks like he's really trying to figure this out for a beat before asking-- ] Mind if I sit there? You can rest them on my lap and everything.

[ Asked as he points to his hooves, if I read his couch sprawling correctly. ]

[bleatingedge]

Sure.

[With a grunt, Leo lifts his legs enough for Tylor to slide in place.]

Make who upset, exactly?

[tylorific]

Oh, Morgan.

[ Tylor answers breezily as he hops over and keeps his hot chocolate held high enough for Leo to rest his legs across his lap. ]

You know him, right?

[bleatingedge]

[Oh, this is nice. Leo practically melts with his feet propped up.]

The name sounds familiar, but I don't think I know anyone that goes by Morgan on here.

3 (at long last, kicks your door down)

[weaseled]

[The sound of an old man sneezing heralds Yael's arrival...]

Secrets? All I see are moldly old books. [Achoo.] Unless you're looking for an allergy attack, I doubt you'll find anything interesting here.

[bleatingedge]

[Leo spins around on his hooves and grins at the new arrival.]

Good to see you, Yael!

[Walking over to the other man, he swipes a finger along one of the shelves, noting the titles of each damaged and dirty tome.]

Well a dusty old library is usually the best place to hide ancient secrets. But it seems we've been given access much too late to make heads or tails of it.

[weaseled]

[Yael greets Leo with a grin of his own, sauntering over to assess his work. There's a lot of library here to clean, but Leo is the type of person who'd put in the effort to restore it to his former glory.

Yael isn't nearly so helpful, but who knows? He likes Leo. He might even like Leo enough to help him clean up a virtual library. We'll see, we'll see.]

Seems that way. Are you going to let that stop you?

[bleatingedge]

[There isn't much done. There's a lot of library, and only one goat. And the goat isn't very physically fit.]

Me alone? Maybe. If we can get a collective team going, maybe not.

[weaseled]

A whole team?

[Yael scans the library. Sure, it's pretty massive, but Yael isn't what you'd call a team player. He lifts a hand to his chin and scratches it thoughtfully.]

Two people can accomplish more than you think. Show me where you've been working and we'll go from there.

[bleatingedge]

Uh, sure.

[Leo leads Yael a couple of bookcases over to a corner of the library. The shelves here have been dusted and most of the books are... gone. Either completely destroyed or stacked in a pile on the floor.]

This is all I've gotten to so far. Not much point in keeping the severely damaged or falling apart books on the shelves... And I've found no interesting details inside the books either - things are too messed up to make heads or tails of the text.