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CyberConnect Corporation ([personal profile] cccorp) wrote in [community profile] altimit2023-07-27 08:51 am
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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

//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!"

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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-16 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
( Goodby oria

For a second, it seems like Mithrun won't be able to lift him. And then, with a startling snap gesture, Oria's off - gone sailing to the other side of the stream, maybe a little too far. sorry for any fall damage, buddy )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-16 11:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ wheeeeeeeee

Since Oria expected it, he manages to land on his feet. Good thing he has reflexes from inline skate parkour. But damn, that was a bit further than he thought it'd be.

He goes close to the edge.
]

Here! I'll be there just in case!

[ If Mithrun falls in or something. ]
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-17 01:31 am (UTC)(link)
( Mithrun nods. He swaps out his weapon for the Yaoi Oar, gets into position, and sets off on his run-up with a solid start and impeccable form--

However, we must respect the natural 1 he rolled. He launches himself across the river with apparent success, but that last-second pivot of the oar, accounting for its broad and thin base rather than a proper hold a real pole would have, causes just enough of a sharp spin that his heel doesn't find proper hold when he hits the other side.

He slips into the water with a sploosh. Slapping at the water, he seems intent to recover from his blunder before the waters carry him off— but his fingertips only brush the bank, and he's unable to make progress. )


My leg's caught in—

( —Something? He doesn't know what. It feels firm, and thick - but strange. It's then Oria can see the dark shadows of figures beneath the beautiful blues of the moving water - and the corpselike hands of Magatumkuros grabbing at Mithrun's cloak and neck to drag him back under - and his oar's somewhere down the river, stuck between the bank and the rocks.

Fortunately, Oria probably won't be left alone for much longer - with the number there are, it seems likely some will try to surface and come for him, too, once Mithrun's good and drowned. )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-17 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ That is definitely a 1, holy shit LMAO ]

Mithrun!

[ Oria doesn't hesitate to get in the river, but not before shooting rapidfire at the Magatumkuros around Mithrun in an attempt for them to release him. Triple Doom is loaded into the skill queue so many times as he chugs a SP potion right after. All those trying to come for him will eat bullets. Maybe even stepped on if they don't get out of the way. He's busy!! Leave!! He's still trying to be careful with his paper-thin defenses, but sometimes you have to risk it.

Even for the monsters that he can't quite kill right away, he pistol whips and shoves them over for good measure even if they do normal attack damage. He's trying to get there as soon as possible.

Hopefully Mithrun hasn't drowned yet?!
]
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
( Oria gets his cool action movie moment, so maybe Mithrun's sacrifice was fully worth it. While Mithrun's taking damage fast from the Magatumkuros, he's, at least, not thrashing blindly now that he recognizes there's enemies here - Yael's self-defense lessons came in handy! Yay!! It's all normal damage given he's not got his weapon, but at least he's scoring a couple criticals in trying to elbow and tear these twisted corpses off him. He's definitely taking damage, though, and he's definitely had to twist a cork off a potion with his teeth while trying not to drown to drink those potions during his efforts. Living on a prayer, as it were.

The Magatumkuros are relentless - or, at least, they're animated as such. They blast apart easily enough at middling levels of HP and gnarl and twist after Oria with their bleeding and mangled bodies, giving the impression that they're persisting, zombie-like, even after being "defeated" - but well-timed shots and pistol whips that knock their HP to a proper zero do sink their half-bodied corpses back into the water, their numbers thinning. They don't got a lot of HP, it seems; just numbers.

Mithrun's still undrowned by the time Oria gets there, at least, and done a decent enough job of beating back and kicking off Magatumkuros so he can try to propel closer to Oria - he doesn't die as easy in Areas as he does in Root Towns because that would interfere with the task he's currently doing, which is: completing the Area. The outcomes conflict. So if Oria's going to grab him or drag him out, he's got a cooperative Mithrun in the water, at least. )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ Good. Very good.

Oria finally grabs a hold of Mithrun and pulls him as hard as he can. If there are any monsters still clinging onto Mithrun, eat lead, uglies.

Then he tries so hard to fling Mithrun out of the river and works hard on getting himself out too, firing more shots if he needs to if any monsters continue to come their way.
]
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
( Mithrun's coughing up some water once he finally hits the bank, the Magatumkuro threat abated - for now. )

... I should have pivoted better.

( ... is what he says, but his tone is akin to "thanks." He sits up proper, another cough of water out of his lungs - something he's getting real familiar with, at this point - and scans the waters and surrounding area. No more Magatumkuros, it seems. A little wobbly, and still cautious, he gets up to retrieve his oar stuck in the rocks a little further down river - he plops it back into his inventory, then reequips his level cap claymore. )

How's your HP?
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ He smacks Mithrun's upper back in an attempt to get him to cough out any remaining water, if present, after Mithrun comes back from retrieving the oar. When he mentions HP, Oria finally checks—

...

He downs a HP Potion right away. Don't ask him about his percentage.
]

I'm fine. Let's keep going now.
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/2

[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
( Hmmm. )

All right.

( Down the foresty path they go... This forest is full of more treasure than usual, so it seems they pick up some knick knacks along the way, the deceptively welcoming ambiance of owls hooting and bushes rustling there to offset the distant spoopy mists of the decayed forest beyond this oasis-forest's outskirts.

Eventually, though, they come upon... a treasure chest! Seems legit. It's tucked away like a proper treasure chest, and not obviously set out in the middle of the clearing. It seems as regular as the other bits and bobs they've stumbled upon.

So, he kneels down, he checks it just in case (makes sure it's not a monster or anything - taps at it and such). Seeming safe enough, he opens it. )
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
( And then glitter explodes across the entire area, probably within an entire mile (it does not explode into a mile's radius, it just feels like it does). A glitter trap.

Mithrun is paused, coated veritably in glitter. Rip to you too, Oria. )


... Oh.

( ???????????????????????????????? )
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1/2

[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
Wh—
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
What the hell?!

[ He tries to brush the glitter off himself, but... he's not getting everything no matter how hard he tries. ]

Why won't this come off...
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 11:05 am (UTC)(link)
( Mithrun looks more glitter than person. As the initial shock wears off, he checks his HP. Still normal. Weird. Doesn't seem to count as a debuff, either.

He rises. A torrent of glitter falls from him, and yet, the amount of glitter on him doesn't seem to decrease. )


... At least there's no negative effects.

( He says, looking at Oria futilely trying to brush glitter off himself. )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oria knows when to cut his losses, so he stops trying to get the glitter off himself. ]

No negative effects? You look like a walking swab of shiny confetti.
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
It doesn't affect our combat capability. Unless you think it does affect yours.
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 11:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oria raises his gun away from Mithrun to test that out.

...
]

The glitter is too distracting.
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
( Hmmm... )

... Maybe there's a body of water without monsters in it.

( Could dunk Oria in? )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-20 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
You wanna go all the way back?

[ Oria does not, but he also thinks that Mithrun is considering jumping into a body of water himself and not dunking Oria in. ]
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-20 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
... No.

We can do it if we run into another one.

( You just gotta suffer until then. He starts trotting down the path, leaving glitter in his wake. )
Edited 2023-08-20 22:11 (UTC)
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-21 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
Alright.

[ He's fine with that, honestly. The glitter is going to be a pain in the ass...

And since that's pretty much the dungeon, we can end it here! And Mithrun can ask about romantic experiences next time if he still wants to.

loads up mithrun's finished dungeon threads in queue for next week
]
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-23 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
( Fortunately, Mithrun doesn't have vertigo. He looks down at the lands far below them, studying its features, before looking back up behind them to the more obvious landmark: the castle.

After hearing about anonymous messages forwarding Hidden Forbidden keywords, it's interesting to be subject to one such message himself. )


... The castle, then?

( Unless Oria wants to climb down the mountain. Mithrun wonders if there's an invisible floor in the downward direction... )
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[personal profile] dissimulative 2023-08-23 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oria is extremely glad that he got over his fear of heights by sheer willpower over the years, because this map? Dear lord. Have mercy. ]

... Sure. Let's go to the castle. You lead. I'll follow.
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[personal profile] tablescraps 2023-08-23 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
( Mithrun doesn't notice that breathing has grown more difficult, though his body certainly does. He casts his gaze across the ruins and the rubble, before he moves forward to inspect the ruins. )

... I wonder if this is part of some kind of narrative, too.

( It must be, he supposes. )

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