cccorp: (Default)
CyberConnect Corporation ([personal profile] cccorp) wrote in [community profile] altimit2023-09-07 08:20 am
Entry tags:

⬣//BLOSSOMING FROM A GAP IN THE ASPHALT.

//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!

bleatingedge: tee hee (wink teehee)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-12 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
["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.]
insinning: (neutral; a tiny fluster)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-12 11:35 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Sinclair stares down at his plate and wonders if there's anything he can use to cut the spice. Milk?? Yoghurt? Something]

Remind me not to cook with demon horn...

[His tongue is still burning in memory]
bleatingedge: he happ (happy)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-12 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Not a fan of spicy food? [He replies with an almost tangible aura of smugness.] Fair enough.

[A second plate is set in front of Leo and he immediately begins digging into it.]
insinning: (upset; ummm ew?)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-13 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
I'm...not used to it.

[He's too white for this lbr. The desire not to eat anymore is at war with his manners, honestly]
bleatingedge: tee hee (wink teehee)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-13 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
If you need assistance in that department - heat tolerance - I'd be willing to help you out in that regard! It's definitely something you have to work on. Jumping the chain early leads to... [Leo fakes a look of abject pain while flamboyantly waving his hand in front of his face.] ...as I'm sure you know by your reaction to this.
insinning: (thinking; not the worst thing)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-13 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
[thinking about Oria's eating habits and hmmm]

It'd be nice to try more food without that, yeah. [He can't take issue with that. He looks at his plate of curry and searches in his inventory] Is this the kind that works with yoghurt or milk...?
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-14 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure, honestly! From what I remember, stuff like peppers and chilies can be calmed down with milk because it breaks down their specific oils more quickly. [Leo takes another few quick bites of his curry.] Dunno how that would affect spices or powders, especially those derived from creatures we don't have on Earth. It's worth a shot at least?
insinning: (nervous; uneasy with this)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-14 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
...It can't make it spicier...

[He has milk in his inventory from making potato dumplings so...he'll just add a good helping to his bowl. It might work? Or not...

Mixing it in and...

Mggr. Not as bad as before, but clearly not suited for someone like Sinclair]
bleatingedge: he happ (happy)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-14 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[His second plate finished, Leo looks up at Sinclair's mixed expression and smirks.]

If it's still bothering you too much, I can finish it for you. That way we won't be wasting our host's hospitality.

[The NPCs insist that it's fine, but Leo politely shakes his head. He's determined to get the most out of this meal. If that means dealing with milky feet curry, then so be it.]
insinning: (blushing; this is awkward)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-14 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
T-Thank you.

[It's mixed in quite well, actually! So he'll push the plate over as he finishes his grape juice. Spice...]
bleatingedge: he happ (happy)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-15 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
[With the voracity of a starving lion, Leo shovels the remaining curry into his gaping maw. In less than ten seconds, it's gone, the plate completely clean.]

Y'know, that's not bad! Different, but not bad. [He turns to the NPCs.] You should try mixing a bit of milk in it next time for variety's sake.

Anywho. [Hopping to his hooves, he gingerly pushes his chair in and gives the family a quick bow.] Thanks for the stories, and especially for the meal! Unfortunately... [Having sensed Sinclair's uncomfortable aura the entire time he's been in here, Leo is offering an opening to escape.] Vogel and I some business we need to attend to somewhere else in the city. Shall we go?
insinning: (neutral; a tiny fluster)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-15 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. Thank you very much for the food and stories--!

[Politely bowing and hurrying after Leo like a bat out of hell.]

Did you only follow them for their curry?
bleatingedge: he happ (happy)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-15 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[After making sure the coast is clear, Leo laughs.]

I didn't know it would be curry, but they offered to feed me. Can't say no to that~
insinning: (blush;  a little embarrassed)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-15 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Sinclair laughs a little too]

It seems like that's the quickest way to trick people into following them.
bleatingedge: tee hee (wink teehee)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-16 08:53 am (UTC)(link)
I dunno if I would call it a 'trick'. I willingly went in there, hehe.

[His hands behind his head, Leo continues walking forward, assuming Sinclair is following.]

So, what do you think of this city so far?
insinning: (thinking; biting my thumb)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-16 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
It's unsettling.

[Ah. He didn't mean to say it like that]

It's, how real the people feel. The other NPCs didn't feel like this.
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-16 10:19 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed. I was able to sit down and have a full conversation with one of the peddlers outside the city gates, and we even shared a meal and a drink together.

Personally I find it pretty cool. But it does lead to some questions. [Leo rubs his chin.] Mainly, why only this root town and not the others? And what's with the graveyard? I was told it's the only one in the entire world, which sounds pretty wild.

I'm planning on talking to the sexton later and see if I can get any details out of him.
insinning: (thinking; not the worst thing)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-16 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
Why does a game need a graveyard? And why is it the town's pride? It's odd. Something about this doesn't sit well with me...

[God, maybe Leo will do a better job than Michel and Sinclair. Sinclair doesn't even know how that went as badly as it did]

Do you think you could share what you find if you do?
bleatingedge: aw you got him sentimental (smile soft)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-16 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, of course. I have no intention of keeping secrets. [Game secrets, anyway.]

Anywho, I'm gonna continue looking around. Feel free to join me - or not. I don't mind either way.
insinning: (smile; a sheepish little thing)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-17 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
I'll join you.

[ He looks thoughtful]

With everything that happened over the last two weeks, I didn't get a chance to explore anything properly. Maybe I'll be able to find more lore now.
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-17 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah... I've been trying to distract myself with crafting and running dungeons.

[Leo sighs.]

It's not really working, but... at least I'm gathering knowledge and data for my guide.
insinning: (nervous; uneasy with this)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-17 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
I understand that. It's been difficult lately...

[His brow furrows]

What information are you collecting? Maybe I can help.
bleatingedge: aw you got him sentimental (smile soft)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-17 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
Mostly material drop locations and crafting recipes.

[He snaps his fingers.]

Oh! And now that Mithrun is okay, I was going to contact him and try to get a centralized list of glitched and formerly glitched locations put together.
insinning: (thinking; not the worst thing)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-09-17 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Sinclair has quite a bit on him!! Because he does a lot of dungeon runs]

'Daydream' is the main glitched one. I've reported it but I haven't run it again to see if it's still glitched out.

[actually, now that he thinks about it, from his conversations with certain people]

'Gate' is also glitched. It's not actually meant to make people fall in love at first sight.
bleatingedge: ... (worried annoyed)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-09-17 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Haha, I'll keep that in mind, but I was thinking of having it be a forum thread where we can all access it. Easier to keep track of, plus it'll be fully community-oriented.

(no subject)

[personal profile] insinning - 2023-09-17 20:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bleatingedge - 2023-09-18 06:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] insinning - 2023-09-18 07:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bleatingedge - 2023-09-20 06:00 (UTC) - Expand