⬣//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

[secondthoughts]

[ Now Hector's hating! Imagine logging into the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game for sex!! What is wrong with people? ]

I can't believe it. [ His laughing fit comes to an end and he wipes away a tear. ] You can say that again. There are plenty of desperate people out there. Getting laid isn't hard.

[ Says him. Anyway, ]

Learned something new today. [ He gestures at Dosei. ] Thanks, kid.

[fluorite]

Maybe I'll do that!

[ Even though he can't really see himself hopping to another game, only because he doesn't play them much at all. ]

Though I'd rather just meet up in real life at that point.

[trollophoroi]

[ While the spinning corpse is an eye-catcher for sure, Fandaniel is more concerned about what's within the airships rather than between. A dungeon? Here? ]

I really do not like the look of those. They look... glitched? Either that or they have shields? [ He's not sure. ] Maybe there's a way to sneak around them rather than engaging.

[tablescraps]

( Mithrun doesn't notice that breathing has grown more difficult, though his body certainly does. He casts his gaze across the ruins and the rubble, before he moves forward to inspect the ruins. )

... I wonder if this is part of some kind of narrative, too.

( It must be, he supposes. )

[dissimulative]

Games have narratives everywhere. Anything-- god, it's so hard to breathe here.

[ He's been to higher altitudes before, but this? C'mon. He picks up some stones for closer observation, but they're so brittle as if they're like an attempted solidified clump of sand that breaks at a mere touch. ]

[legendofthelion]

[Ah... of course the inside of the airship isn't any better. Dehya at least doesn't move more than a foot from the door, out of giant rotisserie zombie view but not quite in aggro range.]

Maybe their shields are glitched? [She squints. It does look like it's wrapped around them, from a distance.

Still, she looks side to side along with Fandaniel to see if they have the option to sneak by or if combat is inevitable. They have a wizard and a bruiser, so.]

[cccorp]

[ The ruins are dirty, covered in dust and grime that gets their hands dirty the moment they pick anything up. There are no strange sounds, no strange feelings when they handle the ruins. Perhaps they expected that by now, given the track record of the Special Areas, but all they receive is... nothing.

These are some normal, dusty old ruins.

If either of them have a particularly keen eye when it comes to this sort of thing, they can tell that they were well-constructed. If this is part of the narrative, great care has been taken to make it feel as real as possible. ]

[weaseled]

[Yael drops a palm on Sinclair's shoulder, warm and heavy. It's a sharp contrast to his often dour expression, but it's nothing Yael draws attention to.]

If you want to stand up to them, you will. No one can make that choice for you.

[rebelles]

[ Haru smiles back warmly. Seeing him light up makes her happy, too. ]

I'm Noir. Let's stay in touch.

[ Because she's recently learned about the function, she pulls up the menu and sends him a friend request, so they can find each other in-game.]

[tablescraps]

Is it? ... Do you feel weird after touching that?

( Mithrun is studying the ruins pretty closely, and, finding himself of any notable further visual information, he's gonna venture across the threshold of the ruins to investigate its impressive make a little more closely - pillars, walls, etc. )

[glassbell]

[ Ping! The nice thing about this all being new is she gets to see him jump a little at the notification sound. ]

Furin! It's nice to meet you, Noir.

[rebelles]

[ His reaction is most relatable. She's done that, too. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Furin.

[ There's a bright ping as the request goes through. New friend acquired! ]

[cccorp]

[Luckily, the two are completely spared the attention of the unusual-looking monsters. They lumber about listlessly, focused neither on their visitors nor on where they're headed. It's safe to assume the monsters have no interest in impeding their progress.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Enough observing them and the area proves that well enough and Fandaniel hums thoughtfully. ]

FlameMane? I think they may be ignoring us. Here, let me just...

[ Despite sending her on ahead initially, he'll scootch on by Dehya and take a few cautious steps into the usual aggro range of the nearest monster. ]

[dissimulative]

No, I think it's because we're so high up? I wish the devs didn't think too closely with inconvenient realism.

[ Oria is not particular about building structures, so he'll just follow Mithrun. ]

[glassbell]

[ Friendship! And a dungeon buddy. ]

[legendofthelion]

Er--be careful. [Dehya adjusts her blade, taking a step closer but otherwise just warily watching Fandaniel approach them. She's prepared to enter the fray to his defense the moment he's attacked, however.]

[aphonik]

[ It's an infection...infecting everyone with his shedding Hater Disease. ]

Desperate is what they are if they're whipping it out in VR. Can't imagine logging in after work just to act out the world's worst roleplay.

[ He WILL kinkshame, he WILL cockblock, he WILL make fun of anybody getting busy. He's the last person who should be saying this, but touch grass.

He's still squinting, though, arms crossed across his chest. ]

Yeah, whatever. 5 bucks you're gonna get people hitting you up for it anyway just for wearing that outfit.

[secondthoughts]

[ That's honestly hilarious. The image is so funny to Hector that he laughs again. Maybe this kid isn't so bad after all, now that they can bond over this. ]

You know what, I'll give you five bucks myself if anyone does.

[ He didn't even know that was something someone might do in a video game. ]

[aphonik]

[ HMMMM. Money. Money he doesn't need because he's technically rolling in it, but he'd take it anyway. ]

Fine. Don't forget that bet, either. I expect it the moment you get that private DM.

[ Welcome to the real world...this is how freaks live. ]

And when you do, get a new armor skin. I don't want to see hairy old man legs walking around. [ He makes a vague gagging gesture. ] Gross.

[insinning]

[Ah.

He knows. He knows that so well.

It's because he's spent so much time running that]

...I know. I'm not expecting anyone to do that for me.

[What would it be like to have that kind of confidence though?]

[cccorp]

[When approached, the monsters don't react to Fandaniel whatsoever, simply vibing while the two observe them. Monsters lacking the will to aggress them likely won't cause a hindrance to their further exploration of the dungeon... supposing this situation isn't odd enough to put them off of the idea entirely. After all, there's nothing normal about this dungeon. Even the air, heavy with iron rot, reeks faintly of sickly sweet death.]

[veardant]

I will. You be sure to do the same, Dehya.

[ sending along his user info! ]

[veardant]

[ he'll remember this when you tell him you have your pain sensors on.... ]

You'll eat those words when I'm telling you to go to sleep when you're online at 4am.

[cccorp]

[ When it comes to the ruins, there isn't a whole lot to see, shockingly. They look like normal ruins, the inside of the castle floor scuffed up with rubble as it's fallen from its place over the years. The walls are dilapidated too, any kind of paint that might have been there faded or entirely nonexistent. Grass and other plants have taken over some parts of the castle as it's become entirely overgrown.

If Mithrun or Oria try to get past the main hall, they won't be able to. Some kind of invisible barrier prevents them from doing so, and it feels like there's even some pushback if they try to breach it. ]