⬣//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]

[At some point, Sinclair's murderpoker face might activate. Or his face will just send confusing signals because he isn't very confident in what he's doing. Enjoy poker domination here Oria. His new cards seem...better? And there's a bit of encouragement to increase the pot here but Sinclair didn't even want to play to begin with so. He glances at Oria, who is very difficult to read at the moment. Hmmm]

...two doubles?

[He says hesitantly as he sets down the cards. Two pairs indeed]

[dissimulative]

[ He eyes Sinclair's two doubles and lets down his own cards. ]

Three of a kind.

[ That was close?? Damn. But the other CPU get a flush and eats all their bets, to which Oria seems displeased with. ]

Vogel, let's get rid of the two CPUs.

[insinning]

[Even Sinclair gets sulky over that. He knew these games were rigged, no matter what Rodya said about them]

How can we do that? It's not like we can just knock them out.

[Violence is not the answer]

[dissimulative]

Set players to "2"!

[ Since it seems to default on 4 and empty spaces are filled by CPUs. Oria isn't about to jump up on the poker table and shoot them in the face. Also because NPCs can't be killed. ]

[insinning]

Hmm...

[Ah. So he can. Changing the settings and the NPCs get up, laughing about an easy win]

...that's maybe a bit too realistic.

[dissimulative]

[ Oria considers blowing their heads off for a second-- ]

Let's play!

[ He says, despite Sinclair saying that he was being dragged into it before. ]

[insinning]

[Oria, no!!! Even if Sinclair is a little grumpy about it]

Sure.

[Playing against Oria at least means someone else gets the gald that can use it, rather than it going back to the nebulous casino economy of Lumina Cloth.

Cards!!! Lets see what he gets]

[dissimulative]

[ Oria gets two Jacks, 8, 6, and 4 and puts them on the table. ]

Show me what you got, Vogel!

[insinning]

[ Sighing as he lays out his cards. Two fours, an 8, 7, and 6]

Nothing good.

[....:T again ]

[dissimulative]

[ Next, Oria gets Jack, 10, 4, 4, and 3. It's a bad hand, but it's better than nothing. ]

Wanna raise the bet next round?

[insinning]

Hm? Oh sure.

[He's agreeable now, still frowning nervously at his cards. 2 aces? 10, 7, 3 that was good, right?]

...what do we win from this anyway? Aside from more money?

[dissimulative]

A bit of bragging rights, some gold, and maybe an increase to your self-esteem.

[ Oria grins. ]

Or decrease. Since that's boring, let's make a bet. What's something you really don't want from me?

[insinning]

Something I don't want...? But there's nothing like that except--

[Ah, wait a second]

...that frog curse. I definitely don't want it.

[It was cute, but no, not on him thank you very much]

[dissimulative]

From me, Vogel.

[ He laughs a little. ]

I can't curse you into a frog. That's only what a cursing creature can do and I am definitely not that!

But let's see... for me, if you lose, I want you to say something very specific and you gotta say it loudly. I'll tell you what it is if you lose!

[insinning]

[Technically, Oria could have told him to go on a dungeon run to get that curse...but Oria is too nice for that.

...

Maybe Sinclair should stop hanging around his workmates, they're clearly not a normal representation of society with their tendencies towards crimes(?).

So he nods in acceptance, as he thinks]

Oh, then...I don't think you'd get me to do or say anything I'd really hate, so that's fine. [Wait, does he need to make a bet for Oria too?] What about you?

[dissimulative]

You can decide that for me, since I picked something out for you.

[ He's very curious on what Sinclair will think of... ]

[insinning]

[Punishment games...punishment games. Hm. This would be easier if they were in reality, and could trade off chores or something

also breaking timelines or something maybe]

...see if you can convince the Fine Wine guild to join them?

[Honestly, Sinclair just wants to see if Oria can sweet talk his way into the guild]

[dissimulative]

Wow, you really picked a hard one, huh? I accept!

[ He ain't backing down from a challenge. ]

Draw your cards! Let's see where fate takes you!

[ He says in an absolutely dramatic fashion coupled with just as dramatic hand gestures. ]

[insinning]

[Pffft ]

You're ridiculous.

[Drawing some cards, lets see if he's loved by fate or not]

[dissimulative]

[ Oria doesn't rely on luck to get what he wants. He uses everything that he has to his name and skills to turn the tables towards his favor.

...

But there are times when he can just relax, leaving it to luck instead. This isn't a very serious game.

That said, the cards Oria end up drawing are: ACE, ACE, KING, JACK, and 4, putting them down on the table. ]

[insinning]

[Meanwhile

Sinclair pulls a face as he sets down his cards: KING, QUEEN, 10, 6, 2]

...you win.

[dissimulative]

I win!

[ Oria raises his arms in the air. Yay! But that's enough of poker for now as he quits the game and waits by Sinclair's side. ]

C'mon. Let's go do that punishment right now.

[ After leaving the casino, because of course. ]

[insinning]

[He takes back what he said about Oria being nice, suspicious. He quits the game (finally) and gets up to follow Oria]

Right now...?

[dissimulative]

Yeah! It won't be anything too bad. Promise.

[ He holds onto Sinclair's hand and off they go! Oria will lead him outside the casino and on a place with higher elevation in Lumina Cloth. ]

[insinning]

Uhuh.

[Sinclair makes a disbelieving noise but lets Oria hold his hand and lead him to a higher point in the town. It's strange, it's all digital but it feels. Nice.]