⬣//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

unequip

[tinged]

[ hani has played other MMOs before. kind of! but still, this experience is pretty... unique. in a new and fresh way! in a good way!

but knowing how to equip gear (which is vastly different from knowing how to equip the correct piece of gear for their job), well, that doesn't stop them from copying this blond player.

equip. unequip! equip. unequip! this is kinda fun~ haha! ]

[fluorite]

[ It takes a couple of moments for Fai to notice someone else doing the same thing, and he immediately wonders if he's being copied.

Honestly, it's pretty funny, so he can't even be upset. ]

It's fun, isn't it?

[tinged]

It is! There's something... mmm...

[ they pause in their clicking, briefly lost in thought. ]

Ah! Exquisitely satisfying, that's the phrase, that's the word. Something satisfying about clicking a single thing again and again and again, no? It's like we're playing Cookie Clicker, but instead we're getting undressed.

[fluorite]

[ He laughs. ]

I wonder if the clicking is what draws people into games such as these. Pressing a button and having something happen is a good feeling, even if I can't figure out how to get my equipment to stay.

[tinged]

[ oh!

if that's the case... they wait for fai to equip his gear and then clap sharply. ]

STOP!

[fluorite]

[ That clap nearly makes him jump, but it works in getting Fai to move his hand away from his mouse in real life. ]

Ah...! I see. It worked!

[ He'll just quickly note that it only takes one click... ]

[tinged]

Indeed. Congratulations on learning something new. It's always wonderful, don't you think?

[fluorite]

That it is! There's a reason they say that knowledge is power.

[ Even when it comes to video games. ]

You're familiar with playing games, I take it?

[tinged]

[ not exactly right, but not exactly wrong, so they smile and accept it. familiar it is. ]

I've played a variety, sure. There's this pet raising simulator I liked - that one was quite lovely. I named my dog Ben! Do you want the link to it?

[fluorite]

Sure, I'll take a link!

[ He grins. ]

I've never played a pet raising simulator before. Do you feed them and take them on walks?

[tinged]

Yes. Whatever you do with a normal pet, you can do in the game. Though, I suppose, the pet lives forever, so that's one unrealistic aspect of it.

[ if that's a problem at all. ]

I'll send you the link later. May I ask your name, if you have one?

[fluorite]

Fai. Feel free to send it to me whenever you like.

[ He smiles a little. ]

The idea of a pet that lives forever is a nice one.

[tinged]

But it's not.

[fluorite]

[ Oh? Fai tilts his head curiously. ]

Why do you say that?

[tinged]

Well, will you live forever, Fai?

[fluorite]

Of course not.

[ He smiles, but looks away. It's a good thing that VR can't reflect the slightly distant look in his eyes... or maybe it can. ]

I know what you're going to say next—I'd doom my pet to a fate without me, and that would be crueler than anything else.

[tinged]

[ just that same, calm smile. ]

I suppose it is cruel, isn't it? Sometimes humans are just that way. Are you one of them?

[fluorite]

[ Well... ]

I might be.

[ He certainly thinks so, at least. ]

My first thought was that I don't want to be without my cat, but of course I wouldn't want to put her through being without me.

[tinged]

That's fine. In Yomi, you'll both be together again, so don't be afraid.

[fluorite]

[ Should he be concerned about this guy?

Anyway. ]

What's Yomi?

[tinged]

[ they're fine! everything is fine. ]

Where everyone goes eventually. You may know it under another name. That aside, what's your cat's name?

[fluorite]

[ He doesn't think anyone goes anywhere, but he knows well enough not to tread into that topic.

So, he's glad for the shift in subject. ]

Her name is Mokona. She's affectionate and chatty.

[tinged]

[ mokona. how musical! ]

Did she learn that from you? I hear pets can take after their humans.

[fluorite]

It's possible! Though even on her first night, she meowed at me whenever I would ask her questions. It might just be her personality.

[ The affectionate part is definitely because of Fai, though. ]

[tinged]

It would be nice if we could speak the language of animals.

[ they say not knowing in a couple hours, they'll be speaking the language of one of them, oink. ]

What complains do they have? How do they see life? How do they see us? Do they experience deep happiness and piercing sadness like humans do?