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CyberConnect Corporation ([personal profile] cccorp) wrote in [community profile] altimit2023-07-27 08:51 am
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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

//CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON! 🙂

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.
Welcome to The World's first event! Your plotting post is here.

//YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS SIMPLY.

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.

"Hi, everyone! It's time to begin! Meet me at the Chaos Gate!"


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.

"Welcome! I'm Zelkova. I'll be your point of contact during Fragment's closed beta! Before we start celebrating, let me give you guys your armor and equipment. You can't fight monsters without that stuff, huh?"

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 Boots

Twin Blade: Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Wavemaster: Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Macabre Dancer: Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Edge Punisher: Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Flick Reaper: Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Harvest Cleric: Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Lord Partizan: Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Shadow Warlock: Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Steam Gunner: Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Tribal Grappler: Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots



It'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.

"Well, that's all the boring stuff for now! This is an exciting opportunity for us all, so why don't we start the beta with a proper party?"

//PARTY LIKE IT'S Y2K.

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'S QUESTION CORNER

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!"
"That's all for this week's edition of Zelkova's Question Corner! If have questions you'd like to ask me, send me an email any time!"

dissimulative: (pic#15273325)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reading the thought bubble sure is convenient right now, but he'll come back to that. ]

What did she find, ribbit?
insinning: (concern; this isn't good)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Startling a little when Leo speaks up. He's a jumpy lad, nothing against Leo]

Ah.

[Glancing over at Leo, wondering a little. He had read through the forum and had been appropriately scandalised, but--]

Do you think it has something to do with that forum post?
Edited 2023-08-06 05:29 (UTC)
insinning: (neutral; a mild surprise)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Most convenient of event quest triggers?]

Scraps of a poem in the clock tower. It was in German, so she asked me to translate for her.

[I can't shake the feeling I've seen that poem before, but it wasn't in any of my old German books either...]
dissimulative: (pic#15273326)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ The great thing about being a tiny desert rain frog is that it's extremely hard to emote physically with its face.

A German poem. There are so many in existence. They can fill shelves upon shelves in a library and it would never run out. There are tons of German poems. But it reminds him of something specific that brings something like heartache. One out of all those poems in existence hurts him the most.

But he makes an intrigued sound as if those thoughts don't exist.
]

Maybe it has to do with the game's main story, ribbit! It could be a quest key item, but I guess they forgot to fix that sort of programming, ribbit. We don't even have a main story quest to do right now, ribbit.
Edited 2023-08-06 04:27 (UTC)
insinning: (concern; this isn't good)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
That's what we were trying to work out too.

[It's so hard to read a squeaky frog's face. Especially one that is 4cm big. So Sinclair just keeps walking around--aimlessly? Maybe towards the guild boards or shops]

Normally a event trigger gets shown for everyone once we solve it right? But there's so much missing. It did read like a creation myth, though.

[It's not complete, but I definitely feel like I know it. Akatsuki didn't seem to find it familiar though...

A few of the phrases bounce around in Sinclair's speech bubble]
dissimulative: (pic#15281011)

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-06 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oria thinks about this for a minute. ]

Do you think that maybe you could find more of those inside the river in this root town, ribbit? Maybe inside a bottle, ribbit.

[ ... ]

Have you tried looking up the lines online, ribbit? Maybe you can find something, ribbit.
ntrd: (pic#16605125)

[personal profile] ntrd 2023-08-06 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
[She takes the can of tomato juice in bother hands now, almost careful with it as she sips at it. ]

Aoi played a mecha MMO where there was a theater. Only showed commercials and promos but gave in-game currency after watching.

[She takes a break from talking, and this time instead of slow slips, she takes one very long sip. Somehow she doesn't make a mess and isn't out of breath.]

Finished juice. What can we do here as friends?
insinning: (thinking; that's a lot of money)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
The river?

[Taking a little pause by the gondolas. Maybe if they take a ride? Looking at Oria speculatively. Could a tiny frog pick up a message in a bottle? The mental image is great for everyone not Sinclair at least.]

I've tried looking it up, but the search results give me nothing. It's a little strange, isn't it?

[Ellipses go the thought bubble as Sinclair's brain goes hard at work]
fluorite: dnt (26)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-06 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
I think I will! I don't mind partying up with people.

[ Especially if he can annoy them. He looks at her stats. ]

Ah... it seems you're an Adept Rogue.
fluorite: dnt (94)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-06 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ He shrugs. ]

Does it matter?
fluorite: dnt (23)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-08-06 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ He has a sip of his juice as he contemplates that. Watching commercials doesn't sound fun at all... ]

We can take a walk around and talk. I think that's what a lot of friends in these games do.
threatmewted: ([Smug] Go on)

[personal profile] threatmewted 2023-08-06 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, ya think? What tipped you off?
ntrd: (pic#16618054)

[personal profile] ntrd 2023-08-06 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
[She blushes at his comment, still ever so careful with the cookie as she finds a place to keep it safe. If someone did the same thing in real, she'd probably keep that cookie until it turned into that dust.]

You are the one who gave Aoi the cookie. You're sweeter.

[Maybe she's comfortable enough that that stiffness and weird mannerisms is far less apparent for this time being.]

Yes, would like to spend more time together if that's ok. Need to unlock more of the map more. Earlier got blocked by an invisible wall.
gluttoning: (108)

[personal profile] gluttoning 2023-08-06 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Maybe a loud enough answer is that he doesn't give an answer at all at first, simply curling himself up tighter as he leans against Levi.]

It's... it's okay. I'm still on second string, but practices are going okay. Booker is okay. You guys are okay. But...

...

I... don't know. Football helps me work all this out.
bleatingedge: ... (worried annoyed)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
Y'know, I'm not entirely sure. But I know 'yaoi' as a term already existed in the game before that, considering the Yaoi Paddle weapon and all of that.

[Leo puts a finger to his chin in contemplation.]

Perhaps the game generates quests based on what's being said in the forums? Or it could be a dev fucking with us. Hard to tell with a game this advanced.
ntrd: (pic#16621701)

[personal profile] ntrd 2023-08-06 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
[She still keeps holding her empty can as she nods.]

Ok. Aoi needs to do that anyway and it's better to do it with someone else than solo. Might get ambushed my enemies and get KO'd.

Fai can lead the way. Aoi will follow.
insinning: (neutral; wait what)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Squinting at the board a little more. A part of him wants to complete everything he can. But the other part of him...

There is terror waiting them there, he knows it.]


It could be both. There was that key word that makes everyone naked at the end of the dungeon.

[He wants none of it]
bleatingedge: he happ (happy)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Leo snorts at that.]

Some kind of curse, I assume? Forced nudity sounds infinitely funnier than the one I ended up with.

[Not that he's leaving much to the imagination to begin with, wearing just a loincloth and all.]

Won't know what that specific dungeon holds until someone goes inside. I'd be down, if we could find two more for a full group anyway. Something tells me that a quest dungeon will be a little tougher than your usual randomly generated one.
insinning: (nervous; uneasy with this)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think I could bring myself to play if I got hit by that one.

[why just a loin cloth?? He's been cursed, but nothing as bad as that]

I know someone who might be down for it. But it'd depend on how tired they are of being cursed by these events.

[Also, what kind of drops would they get from this mission? Hopefully nothing Sinclair would rather die from before using it]
tinged: (004)

[personal profile] tinged 2023-08-06 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
Only if you want to!
bleatingedge: leo in his default state (Default)

[personal profile] bleatingedge 2023-08-06 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
I might know a guy or two? Depends on if they're in the dungeon-running mood or not.

[Yael he's unsure about, but Hector... this quest seems like his brand.]
insinning: (neutral; a polite manner)

[personal profile] insinning 2023-08-06 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
We could try a forum post if they're not up for it.

[Messaging Michel now. He has a bad feeling about this but...the mission!!! If they end up naked, he's logging off]
tinged: (002)

[personal profile] tinged 2023-08-06 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ fufufu ]

Oh, no, I would never. [ they're used to having a high alcohol tolerance. ] It would be a shame to have our first meeting clouded by too many drinks, don't you think? I'm glad we're having this talk as sober Hani and not drunk Hani.
victorypose: (Throwin' money in the oven yeah)

[personal profile] victorypose 2023-08-06 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch!

[Subaru grimaces at the open insult.]

How many more blows are you going to go for? I can only take so much, you know!
tinged: (010)

[personal profile] tinged 2023-08-06 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
About heroes. Of course, anything you bring up, I'll gladly listen to.

[ so far, her opinions have been quite interesting. they want to know more. ]

I'm curious if your thoughts will change and evolve as the game continues, if it'll be worthwhile for you. I hope it is.