⬣//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

[trashtier]

1 - grand entrance

[After spending a billion years in the character creator, Levi excitedly enters the game! ...and proceeds to rush around the root town in his newb attire to take in as many sights and sounds as he possibly can, occasionally stopping to swish his long serpent tail back and forth and grin over how real it feels.]

I'm calling it now, [he announces aloud for any passerby to hear] this is the best. MMO. Ever.

[He's also one of the first in line for gear once Zelkova calls everyone over, and he seems to clearly know what he's doing as he starts picking things out. He's also grabbing more than one set of gear, which for those who haven't done a lot of research on the game, might look a little strange. How come Levi gets two sets of gear?]

2 - party time!

[Joke glams aren't really Levi's thing, so he goes straight for something cool and fitting for his avatar's vibes. The result is this number. And...yes, there's even a hole for his tail in the back.

He lets out a little cackle like some kind of RPG midboss.]

Now I can take on dungeons! I can't wait!

[...except he's going to be waiting a while, much to his dismay, because he promptly gets stuck at the banquet for hours. He can be found sitting beside a certain redheaded fly demon with a plate long-empty, anxious and bored out of his skull as he waits for his brother to finish eating so they can go already.

He wants to pass the time by chatting with others, but...the thought of doing so makes him more nervous than he's ever felt while playing an MMO. The problem with things feeling so lifelike is that even conversations feel like talking to people IRL.

It's...daunting.]

3 - wildcard

[Feel free to hit me up with something custom here or plan something out with me here!]

1

[worldbent]

I don't know about "ever", but the tech is certainly there. Now, if they can just manage to balance their games, for once...

[0koto is leaning against the equipment table nearby, watching what everyone picks out. Levi is particularly noticeable. Dual-class, huh.... Maybe he'll be useful.] You know what the real advantage of that is, right?

[trashtier]

[Who dares challenge his glowing first impression review?!

...Ugh, this guy does have a point. He huffs.]

I guess there's still room to be disappointed, but this is the first time I've actually felt like I exist in an MMO world. The escapism potential is off the charts!

[And that's clearly an important feature for Levi, apparently.

He nods when asked about the advantage of his class.]

I wouldn't have picked it if I didn't. [He sure sounds confident.] Classes like these are easy for casuals to pick up and play, but only the pros can really make them shine like they're supposed to.

[worldbent]

Oh. Thrilling.

[Matoba's eyebrow flies up, his eye rolling off to the side. Of course the NEETs are all over this game just like all the others, sigh.]

As long as it's fun, I don't care how much time I can waste away in it, since I do log off, [Just casually shading,] But they outdid themselves with making the immersion realistic. I will give them that.

[His tongue clicks and he points to Levi's other set.] I'm not talking about how you perform.

You got two. That means what you can get is double, right? Easy gold, once you start collecting drops.

2

[dissimulative]

[ Holy shit. That's a tail. Can players feel their own tails? Would it hurt their lower back? All these questions run through Oriade's head and after pondering for two more seconds, he gets out a nerf gun and aims at the tail.

Does he hit or miss? ]

[trashtier]

[Naturally, he hits! Gotta go for maximum funny potential.

It smacks right into Levi's tail and bounces to the ground. He jumps about a foot since that sure is a new and startling sensation, and maybe even yelps a little.]

Wha-?!

[He turns around, flicking his tail frantically until he notices the dart on the ground...and the culprit isn't far off.]

What was that for?!

2

[bleatingedge]

[A red eyed satyr-esque demon man is sitting across from Levi, happily gnawing on a half eaten turkey leg in one hand and chugging from an entire bottle of wine in the other. He notices the bored-out-of-his-skull dude on the other side of the table and decides to strike up conversation. Not usually something he does willy-nilly, but why the hell not? It's beta launch day! Might as well attempt to share some excitement where he can.]

Have you tried the alcohol yet? It's pretty great, plus I'm pretty sure it gets you buzzed. Wasn't expecting that!

[trashtier]

[Any positivity that Levi might have felt for the other man's familiar demon design quickly evaporated once he and Barrett started going to town over the feast and bonding over it. He gives Leo a flat look as he sips at his very non-alcoholic drink.]

I didn't come here to get wasted, I came here to play. Going into a dungeon drunk is just gonna get me killed.

1 - grand entrance, around the root town;

[ganymed]

...And it's the best, how?

[ Asks Ganymede who looks genuinely curious, his voice somewhere between neutral and somewhat distracted.

He's really new to the games aspect of all this. So, this whole...immersive experience is quite a time, for him. ]

[trashtier]

[Levi grins and confidently crosses his arms.]

You feel how real it is too, don't you? I'm an MMO veteran and I've never experienced one so immersive! This tail is so natural- it's like it's always been a part of me!

[It's so cool!!!]

1

[userunfriendly]

[ It's the tail that gets Winter's attention, much more than the (admittedly hard to ignore) enthusiastic pronouncements. Now there's someone who had visibly spent more time on the aesthetics of character creation than he did. ]

A little premature for that, when we haven't seen the gameplay yet.

[ Unfortunately it's beyond the autotranslation's ability to convert that into "hello your avatar looks very neat." ]

[trashtier]

[He hears Winter's point, but he just waves his hands in a scale motion as a response.]

Ehhh, I guess. But I did a bunch of preliminary research and the battle system seems solid enough. I'm confident in giving this game a high rating based on immersion alone- as a first impression, at least.

party time!

[tinged]

Hey, we match!

[ look, they both have horns! hani is very pleased to see another horned person and immediately flutters over to levi's side. ]

Yours are beautiful.

[trashtier]

U-Uh--!!

[He immediately starts stammering and stumbling over his words. He wasn't expecting to suddenly be approached so enthusiastically. This person's avatar is so pretty, and they're complimenting him?!?!

His eyes dart to the side before settling his gaze toward the ground, face reddening.]

Um, th...thanks! Yours are, too. R-Really, really pretty.

2;

[sicklysweet]

[Owen can smell social anxiety from a mile away, so he catches sight of Levi and his target has been acquired.]

Cat got your tongue?

[What're you being so fidget for, kid... He's nosy.]

[trashtier]

[Wow! He didn't ask for this!!

...but it's better than him having to approach others, he guesses.]

N-No, not at all! [Uh huh.] I just...didn't wanna interrupt anyone! [UH HUH.]

2

[tot]

[ levi might not be one for joke glams, but uta definitely is. he can catch her fully embracing the vegetable aesthetic or in the moments before she does. either way, she's going to be clapping her hands together in delight in response to his excitement. ]

Me to! What kind of dungeons do you think we can expect? I hope that they'll all have a unique feel to them.

1/4

[trashtier]

Oh, same here. There's so much potential just from this root town alone. Imagine all the types of biomes they could implement the dungeons into! Personally, I hope they've already set up adequate EXP and gold farming dungeons...

[It's around this time that Levi finally turns to face Uta, but not before a thought occurs to him that he knows this voice.

...]

[trashtier]

[trashtier]

[???????]

/done I'm so sorry to your inbox

[trashtier]

[His eyes go wide and he looks like he could faint on the spot.]

U-U-U-Uta?!

[He shouldn't be surprised that someone as big and famous and amazing like Uta would receive a beta key to the latest and greatest new game. But she's talking to him?!

He's not worthy!!!]

2 - glams

[curvaceous]

[ Wow, okay, even she can admit that he looks pretty cool, and he's probably better off wearing that than anything else. That being said, the RPG midboss cackle is so silly that any thought she had of him actually being cool completely disappears.

Still, though, she's jealous that he found something that wasn't so tacky!! Or in her case, a bear suit. ]

You really scored with that outfit, didn't you? Congrats on finding something good in a pile of...that!

[trashtier]

[What? The midboss cackle doesn't suit his demonic appearance?]

I sure did! It honestly wasn't that hard? I'm just really persistent with this kind of stuff. Looking good in an MMO is half the battle.

2

[victorypose]

[Subaru - well, Pleiades777 - is just wandering about the banquet, getting a good look at everyone's characters but not doing much to interact with them directly. Initially, he simply glances over Levi's avatar - but then quickly backtracks when he sees the username.]

Leviachan? [Surely he must be the same person - there's no mistaking that online handle.] No way! You're here too?

[trashtier]

[!!!!!!

Levi practically flies out of his seat to approach Subaru.]

Pleiades!!! You got in!! [What an exciting development! His long serpent tail wiggles with joy.] And you look great! Isn't the avatar creation in this game the coolest?