⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

[cccorp]

>>Premise // >>Introduction // >>Party // >>Zelkova Corner

⬣//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!"

>>Navigation

Comments

[tinged]

[ they don't feel like a mithrun or a morgan... ]

Do you feel like a Hayanari?

[ just casually tossing out their Legal name. ]

[tinged]

Haha, can you only list things you listen to?

[glassbell]

[[ ooc: just got back ftom vacation, apologies for the lateness! ]]

[ If she gets it, that's what matters. Then maybe something close can be achieved like in Persona. Like the wrestling moves! ]

...And when they're not paying attention, I'll get them!

[ He makes a broad swing of his sword. ]

Haha, this is pretty fun, isn't it?

[tablescraps]

( Immersion!! Mithrun takes the two healing potions, and, in turn, gives Oria two bottles of sake, since those are still in his inventory, with no context. )

I don't mind. I'm used to taking damage, at this point. But it would be more efficient.

( So he's all in favor of DPS as mitigation. Since his health is still ticking up, however slowly, he decides to save the healing potions for the next encounter, since the magic of video games lets him fight and pop a potion with good enough reflexes.

He starts on his way down the path - it leads them over a cute little log over a cute little rushing river. How cute :) Though Mithrun figures it's probably deceptively deep. )

[dissimulative]

[ ... ]

What... I don't drink?

[ Wait. ]

I don't have fire spells like Hani does either. But wait, your class isn't supposed to be taking damage. You're a fragile class--

[ Then there's the log over a rushing river. Oria tries not to sigh, but so much is happening at once. Mithrun. Please. ]

Do you know how to do pole vaulting? And how far do you think you can throw me?

[veardant]

I'm surprised you didn't.

[ cyno does tend to opt for that furry life most of the time, after all, with all of his jackal paraphernalia. tighnari also sure does notice that lingering hand, and allows it. he likes it. it feels nice. ]

No jackal options?

[veardant]

Now that would be impressive.. and a little bit terrifying, though to be honest, this is all already a little bit terrifying.

[ amazing, yes, sure. also terrifying. ]

[veardant]

[ raising his hand. ]

Yeah, that's me. I'm people.

[veardant]

I most certainly do not.

[ he's probably blushing in real life, however. ]

Anyway - it's weird, how real it feels, considering I don't have ears like this.

[veardant]

I'll be more than happy to. Taking care of yourself is important, game or no game.

[veardant]

Not.. particularly, no.

[ the armor is all pretty shitty, tbh! but honestly, tighnari doesn't really game enough to care very much. ]

I imagine we'll get better things as we progress, though. But - [ he hauls out his fantastic water gun. ] I did get this.

[ophidie]

Do you prefer pain? [Likewise, this isn't asked with the same judgment some of his other unusual antics.]

I think painful things stick with us longer. We notice them. You might even say they make us who we are.

[Someone's likely to remember that a game knew how to slap them in the face better than that it knew how to paint an uninterrupted vista.]

[veardant]

[ tighnari erupts into soft laughter, and lifts his nerf gun upward, resting it against his shoulder. ]

Didn't hurt you, right?

[veardant]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he plans to stream it. Given how exclusive it seems to be, it'll get him a lot of traction.

He goes by Cyno.

[696_9]

I gotta wonder how they even managed all this stuff.

[tablescraps]

( Armors toppling like dominoes... Mithruns sliding through his combos with vigor, swinging around Sinclair to smack his weapon into the ones that had just toppled over before they get back up, while the ones he'd staggered just behind them can try to slam into Sinclair the brick wall of defense. )

Yes. But they're not difficult if you know what to look for. They're one of the most common types of enemies— it's the rarer ones whose attack patterns I'm not familiar with.

[insinning]

[The attack to his back doesn't seem to nudge Sinclair at all. His eyes narrow and he thrusts his lance through the narrow gap exposed between the armor pieces]

So each enemy moves in similar patterns to the last.

[Maybe he needs to keep a document, so he remembers]

[tablescraps]

( :thinking: )

... I don't think so. But I guess I could be if I had to.

[tinged]

You don't have to be anything unless you want to. Do you want to?

[tablescraps]

( Mithrun is quiet in that tight-chested way that precedes heartbreak, but it doesn't show in his face, or in his voice. It's just hanging in the air, like the feeling of coming rain. )

... I see. You can forget about this, then.

( And that answer is honest - the pain aside, it will fade, as does all pain, as will these feelings, until he's left with nothing else, like the hollow he always is.

Though, he wonders if he'll feel a little emptier once it fades, the way he did after Leo. The feelings weren't real, but the cracks lingered, still. )

That's all I needed. You can continue as you were.

( He wonders if he should tell him about the effect... but it might just seem like he's trying to save face, and that seems like a greater effort to clean up. Maybe it's not worth it. )

[tablescraps]

I don't prefer anything. Pain is just more common.

( At least, here. )

... I suppose that's true. Good things become rote eventually. Pain can stay uniquely fresh for longer, in comparison.

( Though, eventually it can wear someone down... Eventually. )

People become insatiable for good things because they're more fleeting in feeling.

[tablescraps]

No.

( That comes quick. )

I'd be fine being nameless.

[ogsaberface]

Akatsuki--it's a pleasure. [Arturia gives a nod and a knightly raise of her hand to her chest. They are technically supposed to be in a fantasy setting, so she figures she should try to commit just a tad.]

Hm...I like adventure games. Most recently, I finished Majora's Mask last summer, and when we have to travel by bus for tournaments, I have a gameboy to pass the time. I mostly play strategy games and rpgs on that one.

[tinged]

Then there you go! [ hani hums. ] Morgan, hmm. It's very pretty. Morgan! But I don't think it's for me either. Thank for offering.

[trollophoroi]

It wasn't a problem before.

[ The words are growled out. When he cleared it out solo but back then, he'd taken it slowly, carefully, and he's made the mistake of trying to take Tylor out himself rather than pulling the same crap he did with Mithrun. Let him pull, log out, death, but noooo, he wanted to get in a more personal PK on at least one of these losers.

And now he's stuck in this wintery hellscape with the clumsiest tank he's ever met! ]

Just keep kiting them in the circle!

[ And the whittling down of monster HP continues and continues and... continues... until all that's left is the lumbering Watersaurus, still only barely scratched by their scattered efforts. ]