⬣//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

[insinning]

Newbie Alert

[ The email had come as a surprise to Sinclair, who hadn't remembered signing up for something like this. Maybe not for Faust, who had seemed to have expected it, and advised him mysteriously that opportunities like this were one in a million. And perhaps this could help him with the work here too.

Even without the implications, who could turn an opportunity like this? It had been a dream of his when he was younger to join CyberConnect. That...was no longer within his reach. But this...?

So Sinclair had let the events sweep him along without protest. There are small tweaks to his appearance - longer hair, blue eyes, taller.

The height might be a problem though.

He goes tripping over his own two feet, knocking over several rusty pieces of armor]

Wah-!

[And there he goes. Buried under rusty pieces.]

Face Stuffing

[Just. Staring at the food skeptically as he pokes at the chicken wings on his plate]

... this isn't going to turn me into a chicken is it...?

The War is Lost

[ Just stumbling away covered in paint and nerf gun darts. He's not having a good beginning and the gloomy look on his face is belied by the iron grip on his foam spear]

I think I've had enough.

face stuffing

[dissimulative]

What?

[ Apparently, he didn't catch what Vogel said and he just eats a chicken wing like it's nothing. Nom. This might be reminiscent when Oria cleared a table at a business party because he was hangry and vindictive towards old business people who didn't take him seriously.

Because despite his character name being "Oriade", it's not that far from his real name--not to mention he doesn't look any different.

But he hasn't turned to face him just yet. ]

Re: face stuffing

[insinning]

[Sinclair jumps a little - he hadn't expected anyone to hear him and he turns to focus on the person next to him. Odd. That name seems familiar. That boy looks familiar.

That eating also seems disturbingly familiar.

He feels haunted by memories of not too long ago]

Ah, I mean...food in these games usually have other effects, right? So...what if the chicken turns us into chickens?

[ That sounds incredibly stupid when he says it aloud, oh god]

Nevermind! It was just a weird thought.

1/2

[dissimulative]

I cleared half the table by now, so I think I would be a bunch of things if that was true.

[ He turns around to look at him and— ]

[dissimulative]

Hey, aren't you...

[ His eyes light up with recognition. ]

Oh my god, you're so tall now!

1/2

[insinning]

...Oria?

[ 'Oriade'. Of course that explained...not much at all, but Sinclair is still surprised to see a familiar face]

2/2

[insinning]

[Wait wait wait wait. He is suppose to be anonymous online, that was the whole point of this hair, eyes and height]

Uh--I--I don't know what you mean! Or who you are, I mean, have we met? I've always been like this!

[Fantastic job, Sinclair. Nailed it ]

war.......... war never changes.......

[synodical]

[Oh No.]

...

[He looks so pathetic...]

Do you... need help getting the paint off?

[Their spell list is small so it's not like they can actually just splash the guy or anything, but like. They can at least give him a napkin from the buffet tables or something...]

Victims are always the most innocent

[insinning]

...it should be fine. I think

[ He'd welcome any help but considering what had gone down...he might be a little wary]

[synodical]

If you're sure... It's really no trouble.

[But they won't press! Nobody likes people who are too pushy.]

But I guess you're not enjoying the party favors much, huh.

newbie alert

[tinged]

Hello in there. Do you need some help?

[ hani kneels next to the pile of armor, head tilted curiously. ]

Re: newbie alert

[insinning]

[This is potentially more embarrassing than the time Heathcliff knocked him out cold on his second day at work.

The pile of armor rustles and falls to the side as Sinclair tries to crawl his way out. He's. Stuck.]

...I think I'm glitching out.

[tinged]

[ they tilt their head the other way. ]

Glitching out? Do you think you'll glitch out of the city itself? Wow! I wonder where you'd go...

newbie.....

[userunfriendly]

[ Is it possible to die in a Root Town? Looks like Michel is about to find out.

...

No, he can't ignore that. Time to excavate a child, possibly by dumping useless pieces of armor into his own inventory. The GM can have it back with his blessing later. ]

This class doesn't have a res.

[ So, don't actually die, kid. ]

Re: newbie.....

[insinning]

[Ow ow ow.

Don't mind Sinclair idling for a moment, as he fixes his pain receptors. There. He picks himself up, freed from the burial]

I don't think I can die in this area.

[Just be horribly embarrassed. Oh. Right. Manners, like his parents taught him]

...thanks. For helping.

[And not pointing and laughing oooph]

[userunfriendly]

So it seems.

[ Laughing hasn't yet been unlocked as one of Michel's skills, so... lucky?

The "manners" module is in the process of loading, too. Give it a minute. ]

If I left a mess, there would be more casualties. [ Nailed it! ]

face stuffing

[tot]

[ now here is someone who has been far from as skeptical about the food and happily snacking away. ]

...why would you think it would turn you into a chicken?

[insinning]

[You know]

...I don't actually know. It just seems like something that could happen.

[Taking a tentative bite--oh, it's really good!]

[tot]

Does it?

[ suppose if this was a story?? but??? ]

Look, no chicken. [ said with a bit of cheer and an applause. ] But if we were to turn into the foods that we've been eating then at least you'd be able to walk around.

Face stuffing

[knightofratatosk]

[See Emil. See Emil happily munching away on one of said chicken wings.]

... w-what?!

[See Emil promptly dropping the chicken wing back on his plate with a rather panicked look on his face. Whoops.]

Re: Face stuffing

[insinning]

A-ah, I didn't actually mean it like it actually would-! I was just thinking...

[It's a thoughtless worry voiced aloud? Oops]

DRAGS SELF BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING...

[knightofratatosk]

There would be some kind of warning on it, right...?

[He's pretty sure that's how these things work?]

You know, saying that it has some kind of status effect or something?

[PLEASE TELL HIM EVERYTHING HE KNOWS ABOUT GAMES ISN'T WRONG]

the war is lost

[arsenist]

[He gets one single look at Sinclair looking like he's been through the worst, most paint-filled battle, and he's already wincing in sympathy.]

Rough day, huh?

[insinning]

I think I made myself a target with my stop sign.

[Even though that's his weapon, and not an attempt to stop the fun!!]

[arsenist]

You'd think they would've read it, right?

[He doesn't look seriously hurt, at least... Not that Akira is able to heal even with his three classes, but he couldn't have ignored it either.

Even the paint is a lot, though... There has to be something he could bring to help him get cleaned up, isn't there? It's a party... There must be towels around, right?]