⬣//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

Display name: "0koto" | Matoba Seiji | Natsume Yuujinchou

[worldbent]

1. "And we will (not) wear silly hats"

[Starter equipment- well, what can be done about that? Matoba's eye drifts over the assortment of worn-out, chewed-up, and truly gag gift level equipment that's been laid out for them, and after a moment to resign himself to it, gathers up one of the old robes to swing over his shoulders.]

[As opposed to just picking the text with the highest numbers in a PC game, in VR, the reality of it really sinks in. This is junk.]

I'm not wearing that hat. [0koto may have a reputation as a min-maxer, but in this one case, he'll take taste over numbers.]


2. I'll be at the buffet

[None of the food is real, but that's not going to stop 0koto for making a beeline for the dessert trays. Even if it's not doing anything to feed him, whatever magic the devs worked to get them to taste so good should be a product in itself. Get on it, CC Corp.]

[Ah, but is that the last slice of a tray of cake or pie you're eying? It's a shame that 0koto's hand darts out just at the last moment to snatch it out from under you, immediately taking a huge bite.]

Too slow.


3. Rumor Mill

[No game community is fun without some rumors and wild speculation to get it going, right? So why not just fling some bullshit around right off the bat?]

[Perhaps you are minding your own business when 0koto spots you to sidle up beside, speaking just out of reach of your ear. Oh, he doesn't intend to startle anyone, surely....]

Have you heard? [He tilts his head towards you, his one good eye pinning on yours.] Apparently the beta keys for this test were given out by a specific metric. Can you guess what that was?


wildcard!

[Hit me up at my plotting post if you have an idea to hash out!]

2

[fluorite]

[ As someone with a colossal sweet tooth, Fai is also at the dessert table. He lets out a surprised noise when the slice of cake he was aiming for is scooped up right in front of him.

Instead of being upset, however, he just laughs. ]

Ah... if you wanted to share, you could just say so.

[worldbent]

I don't!

[Want to share, that is. He's eating the cake with his bare hands like an animal, but these slices of cake are surprisingly solid... guess that's an in-game model for you.]

On the other hand, do you think these will all just regenerate? Surely there's no end to the data they could generate in this platter, but I wonder if there's an object limit in this VR world. Think we could get enough cake to spawn that it would crash the game?

[fluorite]

[ He laughs, moving over to grab a slice of a different cake (and quickly too). ]

I would imagine so. Aren't video games supposed to have endless possibilities? [ He pauses. ] Unless they crash, I suppose.

[worldbent]

[He gestures towards Fai with his floppy piece of cake.]

Really, we'd just be doing them a favor. Better for them to know now when the world is less populated than at launch when everyone is crowding into the hub and dropping items to test the spawn limit.

Oh, I played a game once where something like that happened. Eventually, players just started falling through the floor.

[He takes another bite.] Th's 'r fir' grm?

1

[dissimulative]

[ Honestly though? Mood. Oriade has none of the beginner armor visible even though he has them on, and instead, he has something like this on. ]

You can toggle them off! It'll give you extra stats, so just wear it and make it invisible.

[worldbent]

Oh, they're allowing us customization already? ...I guess this is a beta, after all, so it makes sense that a lot of features are unlocked. [Matoba glances from the side of his good eye at Oriade's avatar. His own look had been much more tasteful than this beginner junk, huff.]

[Just give him a few seconds to fiddle in his settings menu... There. Now instead of the raggedy robe, he's clad in the somber black kimono set he'd designed himself with; the only equipment on his head was that ominous, magical-looking eyepatch.]

[He tugs on them a few times, satisfied.]

I'll be hitting up the equipment shop soon enough, anyway. Found it yet?

[dissimulative]

Not yet! Maybe later, but this is where the fun is at right now.

[ Though he tilts his head, thinking back on what Matoba said. ]

Are you more of a solo player?

[worldbent]

[Matoba's thumb jerks back across the plaza where all of the celebration and fuss is happening, to point down a road corner just off the main area.]

It's that way. Pretty conveniently near the gate, right? Ah, but you'll need gold first, I guess.

[Hmmm... He takes a moment to think about that. Normally he'd agree, but...] This class isn't really suited to it, from what I recall. [He clicks his tongue.] I guess I've got no choice but to find some competent players to use.

How about you? [The corner of his grin lifts.]

3

[tinged]

[ oh, hello. hani smiles and shakes their head. ]

Not a single clue. Will you be filling me in on this metric?

[worldbent]

How about I give you a hint?

[Matoba raises a finger.]

It's nothing to do with what we can see in the game right now. It's to do with the you outside of it.

[tinged]

Ah!

[ hani holds up their own finger. ]

Money again?

[worldbent]

"Again"?

[Interesting response. Matoba's here to fling rumors around and spew bullshit to get people to talk about themselves, and that certainly got the wheels going here.]

Ahh, that'd be a good guess, I think. But some of the others present would disprove it.... No, it's got to be something else. Something more about each individual.

3;

[sicklysweet]

[Is it really this bitch again?]

I doubt it had anything to do with actual skill.

[Owen barely spares 0koto a glance, more interested in the weapon displays for this silly party.]

Seems like they'll let anyone into this, after all.

[worldbent]

[It's him! This bitch! Matoba's smile beams brighter with Owen's clear displeasure at his presence.]

Hahaha, so sour as always, Owen-kun! Can't you ever just say 'hello'? Do they not teach that in English? Too bad, eh?? I guess it's not 'education', either.

[Of course he made a beeline for his favorite target. He's got to see which equipment he ends up picking, after all. He shakes a dismissive hand out over the table.]

How lucky that they disabled combat here so I won't have to embarrass you in front of all the newbies.

[sicklysweet]

[He's going to start charging him fees if he looks at him like that.]

Ah, I could, but where's the fun in that? Do you want special treatment, Okoto?

[He knows that's not right, but he doesn't care.]

You're talking awfully big for a man just holding a travel pamphlet, but I suppose brainless DPS is a class that works for you.

[worldbent]

[His eye rolls at the name.] You don't even have the excuse of illiteracy here, Owen-kun. We are speaking in VR. Honestly...

[And what did Owen pick... he side-eyes the paper fans of the Dancer class with derision.]

You're right, it does work for me. After all, it's not like you can fight back with those. What are you going to do, tickle me?

3

[ophidie]

[She clearly doesn't love that someone's just sidled up into her personal space, judging by the way her pupils narrow and she tenses.

It's impressive, and a little inconvenient, that the technology can render even small physical reactions like that. She'll probably have to take a look at the sensors later. For now, she tries to dismiss any physical response she had and move on, perhaps like it never happened - or like she didn't notice.]

Does it matter? [Her voice is even.] I'm actually more curious about what difference it makes to you.

[worldbent]

[It is pretty impressive, and convenient for Matoba. The corner of his mouth lifts at the jolt of a tense he gets out of her, just subtle enough of a callout without drawing attention to it.]

Haven't you considered why you're here? [He says it in a tone that implies she should.] The level of this technology, you'd think they'd be testing it for the military, not a game.

Don't you think, then, there's probably some common thread?

[ophidie]

[She's silent for a moment. Even doing her best to limit any further reactions, she seems to be keeping some distance from the topic. Gossip might just not be something that excites her on a given day, beyond just doing her level best not to rise to the bait.]

No, I haven't thought about it. Unusual coincidences happen all the time.

Also, it'd be a problem if they tainted their sample. Right? So what could link us that wouldn't do that?

[worldbent]

Ahaha, that's a much more scientific way to look at it. [Patronizing? Yeah.]

I guess maybe they underestimate how smart their players are. Happens all the time! That's why we're beta testing, after all. We'd be doing them a favor, breaking things.

[Well they certainly didn't recruit based on who would play nicely...]

1

[tablescraps]

( Mithrun is fully decked out in his ugly beginner gear without an ounce of shame or worry. He's even equipped his Yaoi Paddle. )

You're going to be at a numerical disadvantage if you don't wear it.

( your ilvl bro... Not that Mithrun knows such terms. )

[worldbent]

Yes.... It's a shame, but it's a chance I'm willing to take to not wear it.

[At the very least, he's already playing the DPS mage class, so it's not like he's trying to tank hits anyway....]

I'll just have to ensure I'm in a party with a healer. Not too much different from you, I imagine?

[tablescraps]

( Recognition of risk. Respectable enough. )

I guess. But I was thinking I won't need a healer if I just kill my enemy faster than it kills me.

( This guy is obviously not too familiar with games, )

[worldbent]

Ahaha... At level 1?

[He sounds skeptical. He's in for a rude awakening, but Matoba won't be the one to dissuade him. Best to learn from experience, with this kind of thing.]

It's VR, so I guess anything could happen, but I'm pretty sure there are still cool-downs on skills. Suit yourself, I guess.

The benefit to these classes doesn't become apparent until late-game, anyway.