⬣//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

[cccorp]

[Some days later, the two will receive a curious email inviting them to explore a brand new hidden area: the aerial fleet located at Δ Hideous Someone's Giant.

Gating in will place them on an airship wrought of rusting metal roaring through the skies, this ship being one many. A fleet of similar ships, all unoccupied, surrounds them... and their formation suggests they're guarding the "creature" listlessly floating along beside the ships. Ah.

As with other special areas, this one is conspicuously empty, void of any enemies or player characters aside from themselves.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Some things should wait until after he's back but this? Not this. He isn't sure what triggered this email. He isn't even sure what triggered the last. Regardless, he plugs them into the gate from Lumina Cloth's side and finds himself with the wind roaring all around him, plucking at hair and clothing both.

His gaze picks over the collection of airships but it's the creature in their midst that catches it. That explains the "giant" part of the keywords...

Anyway, he definitely isn't expecting anyone else to show up, and since he and Dehya are like... enemies? He's sure going to get a surprise when she pops into the Area, too. ]

[legendofthelion]

[This actually isn't the first strange message she's received, and so instead of dumping it in spam she logs in when she's next able to and heads right for the gate with the codes.

She notices, first, that she's up in the air. The awful looking giant... corpse? Next. And Fandaniel third.]

... So, you got an email about this place too? [There's a wariness edging her voice, but for once it isn't directed at Fandaniel himself.]

[trollophoroi]

[ It's almost hilarious how FlameMane only realizes he's here after looking at everything else first. He's already watching her by the time their eyes meet. ]

Mm, I did. I had no idea who else may have gotten it. Surprise of surprises, it's you!

[legendofthelion]

Ugh. [Her expression drops with mild irritation.] I don't like having to do this, but let's call a truce for now so we can see what's up with this area without having to watch our backs around each other. Deal?

[trollophoroi]

You must have read my mind. I was considering asking the same of you. There are far more interesting matters afoot than a PK.

[ Meaning, sure, he won't try to smoke her when she isn't paying attention. Scout's honor (disclaimer: he is not a scout but still). ]

Although a word of advice? If you hear something emitting music, try not to touch it. It'll leave you with quite a migraine.

[legendofthelion]

Uh, I'll remember that. [Don't touch weird music players. Got it.] Well, we should check out this airship first.

[trollophoroi]

We should! And I suspect you as our oh-so-powerful Edge Punisher can lead the way, yes? I'll be right behind you.

[ Although to alleviate the worry about a surprise attack, here's a party invite. Ping. ]

[legendofthelion]

[She sighs as she accepts the party invite. Why is it even working together he has to be so... that.]

All right, let's go. [Weapon drawn at the ready in case as she starts forward along the airship.]

[cccorp]

[Judging by appearances, the deck of the airship is nothing special. Not much of note sticks out on the deck itself safe for the zombie slowly rotating midair like a necrotic rotisserie chicken and the leaden door at the end of the runway leading further into the heart of the ship.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel will keep his tome at the ready, waiting to see if anything will poof into existence as they approach the leaden door. True to word, he does let Dehya lead the way, serious enough about proper party order now that they're somewhere that has the potential for real danger. ]

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya keeps stealing glances at the spinning zombie as they walk across the deck. Muttering to herself:] That's so fucked up...

[Anyway. She pushes the leaden door open, peeking in briefly to ensure nothing's about to jump out before she hurries into the ship proper and out of line of sight of the giant zombie.]

[cccorp]

[Be careful what you're rushing into, Dehya. Past the heavy leaden door lies the powerful stench of iron and bile, strings of viscious fluid dripping from the ceiling of the flesh wall dungeon within.

A dungeon in a Special Area? That's novel. Like any other dungeon, there are a variety of monsters milling about, but they look a bit... strange, like nothing you've seen before. Best to proceed with caution.]

[trollophoroi]

[ While the spinning corpse is an eye-catcher for sure, Fandaniel is more concerned about what's within the airships rather than between. A dungeon? Here? ]

I really do not like the look of those. They look... glitched? Either that or they have shields? [ He's not sure. ] Maybe there's a way to sneak around them rather than engaging.

[legendofthelion]

[Ah... of course the inside of the airship isn't any better. Dehya at least doesn't move more than a foot from the door, out of giant rotisserie zombie view but not quite in aggro range.]

Maybe their shields are glitched? [She squints. It does look like it's wrapped around them, from a distance.

Still, she looks side to side along with Fandaniel to see if they have the option to sneak by or if combat is inevitable. They have a wizard and a bruiser, so.]

[cccorp]

[Luckily, the two are completely spared the attention of the unusual-looking monsters. They lumber about listlessly, focused neither on their visitors nor on where they're headed. It's safe to assume the monsters have no interest in impeding their progress.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Enough observing them and the area proves that well enough and Fandaniel hums thoughtfully. ]

FlameMane? I think they may be ignoring us. Here, let me just...

[ Despite sending her on ahead initially, he'll scootch on by Dehya and take a few cautious steps into the usual aggro range of the nearest monster. ]

[legendofthelion]

Er--be careful. [Dehya adjusts her blade, taking a step closer but otherwise just warily watching Fandaniel approach them. She's prepared to enter the fray to his defense the moment he's attacked, however.]

[cccorp]

[When approached, the monsters don't react to Fandaniel whatsoever, simply vibing while the two observe them. Monsters lacking the will to aggress them likely won't cause a hindrance to their further exploration of the dungeon... supposing this situation isn't odd enough to put them off of the idea entirely. After all, there's nothing normal about this dungeon. Even the air, heavy with iron rot, reeks faintly of sickly sweet death.]

[trollophoroi]

Well then.

[ Fandaniel is ignored. That's enough for him to feel fine carrying on, though he does turn to walk back to Dehya. Look, he'll behave. He wants to know what's up with this place and for that alone, he won't dash ahead. ]

Looks like we're fine to carry on, assuming you wish to. It does smell a little... hm... dead?

[legendofthelion]

Yeah... so we should still be careful. But if someone else gets these keywords, I don't want them walking in blind.

[But maybe, hopefully it's just because of the dungeon type. She lowers her blade without an immediate threat, but isn't off guard enough to stow it entirely as they walk further in. She watches the strange enemies mill, and then the walls.]

[cccorp]

[As they wander further into the dungeon, the putrid smell of death grows more and more oppressive. The walls leak a viscous fluid, an amalgamation of monster flesh and rusting metal, and something at the far end of a vast, snaking hallways damply rattles. Is that rattle a warning? An invitation? It's a hollow-sounding rattle, like long, cylindrical objects knocking together in quick succession. They have a ways to go until they reach the source of the rattling and plenty of time to change their minds and turn back.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Rotten. The dungeon itself is rotted to the core and Fandaniel has to wonder if this is some variety of flesh dungeon that they've all encountered before in the beta. Only it's... wrong, somehow managing to be even more visceral and disgusting than before.

This does not stop him, however. He's intent on continuing and he won't let the rattle do more than give him a moment of pause. ]

I'm beginning to wonder if turning off senses for this one may be a wise choice.

[ He does grumble that aloud, though, pulling a sleeve of his robe over his hand and covering his nose and mouth with it. Ugh. ]

[legendofthelion]

[It's make things more bearable, but Dehya's a bit worried about missing something. Ugh, but the scent really makes her feel sick.

... Okay, yeah, she goes into her settings to turn off the smell sensor so she can at least breathe through the stench of death. That does, she lets out a slightly relieved breath.

They continue on.] This can't be just some glitchy flesh dungeon, right? Someone would have had to make it rotten on purpose.

[cccorp]

[The only thing worse than a smelly meat dungeon is a smelly meat dungeon that reeks so badly that turning one's smell sensors off doesn't keep the smell from lingering on the mind. Hell, it might not keep the smell out of their nostrils either, venturing closer and closer to the source of all that rattling.

It gets louder, the rattling. The smell of gore and death thickens. A feeling of dread washes over them both, and when they reach the end of that long, serpentine hallway, they'll be left standing before a mass of bones obscuring the entryway to the boss chamber. Strips of gristle stick to the bones. They haven't been here long, and yet they are many.]