⬣//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

[dapples]

[ HE HAS MISUNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT ]

Oh my god! You're right! Could you imagine if actual Britney Spears just walked in? That would be amazing!

[regressive]

[ NOT HIM MISUNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNMENT ]

You can ask the game creators for a collaboration with her. But I meant actual spears.

[ He's trying to get his point across again... ]

[dapples]

Actual spears?

[ Oh, wait ... ]

So ... the pointy weapons? Not the pop star? [ That's not as fun. ]

[regressive]

Yeah, the pointy weapons. Not the pop star.

[ What is this conversation. This is why he doesn't talk to people. ]

Unless she would give out some special event locked skills or buffs like Toxic or Hit Me Baby One More Time, an actual spear is better.

[dapples]

[ this is the greatest conversation ]

Why do you prefer spears over The Spears? [ LIKE, ]

[regressive]

Isn't that obvious?

[ Is his guy so drunk that he already forgot where they are? ]

Do you think you can do damage with a Britney Spears song?

[dapples]

Only if you sung it really badly, I'm sure.

[ He giggles! ]

[regressive]

See. Spears do damage no matter what, so they're superior.

[ It's all about damage for this guy. ]

[dapples]

[ That's some determination! ]

You're really into games, I take it?

[regressive]

Yeah. And you're... into drinks and Britney Spears?

[ Nice range. ]

[dapples]

I like other things, too! I love reading books more than just about anything, and back home, I'm a florist.

[ He couldn't say "I'm completely new to gaming" any more if he tried. ]

[regressive]

So... this is your first game.

[ Now some things make even more sense. Things like wanting Britney Spears over spears. ]

Just don't share your personal information with me. Or anyone else for that matter. The Internet is full of creeps.

[dapples]

Yep! I've played a few but nothing like this.

[ But that was probably obvious. ]

Oh. Sure! But I wouldn't think saying something like "I love books and flowers" would attract creeps ...

[ are there fetishists for books and flowers out there or something-- ]

[regressive]

You just look like a guy who will get in trouble all the time.

[ Brambles is already tipsy on day one, so... not that he's the only one considering how many people around are trying these drinks, but still. ]

Better safe than sorry.

[dapples]

I do?

[ That's a first! ]

Wow! Looking like a troublemaker is definitely not my intention ... [ He's a good boy! ]

[regressive]

Get into trouble as in getting PKed.

[ Ah, right. Using game lingo might be pointless—this is why he told Brambles that he might get into trouble often instead of just calling him a noob. So nice and helpful!! ]

Just don't walk outside this city alone and make sure to equip stuff properly.

[dapples]

Oh! I get it now. [ He does not. ]

I have one of the nice staffs equipped! Like this, right...?

[ He brings it up to show it to him. It's not "nice" - it's a level 1 stick, all things considered. But Brambles really likes it! ]

[regressive]

It looks like a toothpick can do more damage.

[ Well, he's exaggerating a little here, but... it doesn't look impressive at all. It's so bad that Joonghyuk grabs a drink and sips it. ]

Good luck solo leveling.

[dapples]

Eheh! It may be a toothpick now, but it'll grow really strong one day. Just you wait!

[ He grabs another drink, too! Does he need any more? (No.) ]

Thanks! Hey, would you ever want to team up? I think it would be really fun to play together.

[regressive]

[ He sees that another drink and his first impulse is to take it from Brambles, but in the end he does nothing and simply looks away. ]

I'm a solo player. [ Joonghyuk takes a peek. ] Okay. Try to get something better than this toothpick by then.

[dapples]

[ He takes a big sip and smiles. Ooooo! It's peach flavour! ]

Wha? Was that a yes? [ he said he's a solo player, but-! ] Don't worry! I don't plan on staying a newbie forever. I won't let you down!

[regressive]

I'm not worried and you're not letting me down.

[ He really isn't sure where did that come from. ]

How do you intend to play this game?

[dapples]

[ He looks down at his attire and giggles. ]

Well, I definitely don't plan on coasting through it in a sparkly rainbow tux with a peach martini.

I'd love to try and be the strongest possible Wavemaster that I can be. Learn as much as I can about stats, armour effectiveness, magic spells, skill sets ... that sort of thing. Even if games are only a passing interest of mine, I don't see a reason not to try my best while I'm here. I'm really into academia ... so the math and tactical skills required to excel in this game really intrigues me. I'm eager to learn more.

[ sip ]

And it just seems to be really quite fun!

[regressive]

[ That first sentence is promising if corners of Joonghyuk's lips curling up in a small smile are anything to go by. When Brambles is done explaining, it becomes a full-fledged grin. ]

Make sure to find a better toothpick. I'll make sure to send equipment your way if I find something suitable.

[ If he had a sense of humor, he'd send Brambles a few spears, alas... he's a grump. ]

[dapples]

[ That smile just makes his own brighter! ]

You got it! Oh - I'll do the same! Spears are your weapon, right? [ The non-Britney sort. ]