⬣//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

[trollophoroi]

[ At least they have one thing, only one, that they can agree on, and that yeah, that is weird. Regardless, he is here and Dehya will just have to deal with it. ]

Oh? [ Fandaniel returns his hands behind his back and leans over a hint, head tilting the same way, leaving him watching her in a skewed sort of way. ] And how do you expect to keep me from doing just that? Why, Miss FlameMane, are you going to follow me around everywhere? There are far easier ways to ask me out, you know...

[legendofthelion]

Ugh! [She throws her hands up, then tries to jab him in the chest with her finger.] I'll hear about it, and when I do I'll hunt you down!

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel allows the jabbing finger to dig into his chest. Worse, he leans forward into it. ]

Why hunt me down after the fact? How about we roll up an area and have it out right away? I do believe I feel like having a warm-up before the real fun gets started.

[legendofthelion]

[Bait: Taken. The finger does not move.] If that's what you want, I'll make sure you know exactly what's coming for you!

[level 1 vs level 1 PvP go.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Too easy. Although considering squishy caster versus equally squishy melee, one might already know how this is going to pan out. Regardless, a party invite pings for Dehya.

Followed by the expected dramatic gesture as he sweeps an arm out in the direction of the Chaos Gate. ]

To the gate, then! Ladies first, of course. There is no need for me to be entirely impolite with such a lovely lady!

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya sneers as she accepts the friend request. He's obviously trying to rile her up, but she lifts her chin high and takes the lead to the chaos gate.] Fine by me.

[At the keypad she smacks the randomizer, and it rolls up the area Upfront Superior Nemesis. Huh, awfully fitting.

Area set, she looks expectantly at Fandaniel, fingers curling around the hilt of her... yaoi oar... before they step through the gate.

It's a desert that greets them, going all directions into the horizon.]

[trollophoroi]

[ And so with Dehya with her trusty Yaoi Paddle and Fandaniel with his nondescript Magic Crest which is probably a book since... that's the Shadow Warlock thing, they arrive at the rocky desert, sun locked at high noon overhead, heat beating down on them from high above.

Fandaniel, for his part, snaps his own weapon shut and then turns to give Dehya a smile. ]

Oh, by the way, if you want to kill me... you'll have to catch me first~.

[ And without another word, he takes off for the speck of green at the heart of the desert where the dungeon itself awaits. ]

[legendofthelion]

--You! [Dehya lets out a shrill yell of anger, and dashes after him with her oar held aloft. She is absolutely going to try and swipe his back as they're charging into the dungeon proper.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Only laughter answers Dehya as Fandaniel books it into the dungeon. A swipe at his back as she tries to catch up will be for naught, as he drops off the desert cliff right into the forest dungeon sunk deep into the heart of the desert below. ]

[legendofthelion]

[And Dehya, without hesitation, jumps in after him. The terrain makes the chase more difficult, but that isn't what ultimately stalls her--no, it's a pair of armor evils that come out through the trees.

She uses Calamity in a wide sweep to disable their attacks.]

[trollophoroi]

[ The chase will continue, then. Bursts of light from Fandaniel's fiery Vak Kruz spell going off over and over again will leave a collection of angry cannibal mobs in his wake, all of them still taking burn damage that will no doubt make Dehya's job easier rather than harder.

Not that the armor evils are going to stop their own pursuit, even if their attacks are disabled. ]

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya follows up with a regular swing, at least taking out the armor evils and letting the cannibals catch up instead of getting surrounded. But it does mean, unfortunately, that Fancy Dan gets further away.

Dehya growls in frustration, cleaving the armors to nothing and then smashing through fiery cannibals in her pursuit.] Fandaniel!

[trollophoroi]

You have to be quicker than that, Miss FlameMane! Run, run, catch me if you can!

[ He calls this back with another peal of laughter, still dashing on ahead and making sure monsters aggro by flinging spells about as he goes. There'll be at least two or three between him and her at all times, with them lumbering after him right up until they realize another player is rushing them from behind. ]

[legendofthelion]

[This is how they clear the dungeon: a game of cat and mouse. There's a moment where Dehya's anger gets the best of her and an armor knocks part of her health before she disables and destroys it. With a hard breath she focuses on just following behind Fandaniel with her attention on clearing each mob that redirects towards her. This is a straight path--she'll catch up at the end.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Same as Dehya, Fandaniel loses HP here and there as he pulls the attention of the entire dungeon their way. Weaker enemies fall to his fire spell and the stronger ones are left damaged for Dehya to clear up. It's a dangerous way of running one of these, but in another way, it also works almost like a speed run.

He's always around a corner or a tree or only just out of range the entire time, finding the time on occasion to laugh at her attempt. This will go on right up to the center of the forested dungeon: a clearing with a few scant stone ruins in a circle at the edge of the treeline.

With nowhere else to run, here Fandaniel stops and whirls back about greet her as she arrives. ]

Well! That was exhilarating. Don't you agree?

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya heaves out a breath as she comes to a stop. She points her oar at him.] Whatever. Are you ready to stop being a coward and face--me?

[She's stunned, momentarily, by the Malice Cat trotting between them. One of those lucky animals. It's thrown off her train of thought for a moment.]

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel was planning an obnoxious speech about he's done her a favor, how she's gotten experience and loot from his mad dash through the entire dungeon! But then the Malice Cat happens.

It skips, it prances, it wiggles its booty at them. ]

I... [ Fandaniel frowns down at it as it skips his way and rubs up against his shins. ] Now you... have very poor timing. What can I say other than—

[ And there he goes. He draws back his foot and gives the cat the boot it desires so much! The cat gives out a low MROW and poofs into a burst of smoke. ]

Begone, foul beast!

[ Only immediately following that, there's the sound of a debuff akin to something powering down. Fandaniel gives a startled jerk and his eyes dart to the side as he pops open his character screen. If Dehya inspects him similarly? She'll spot the debuff.

All stats halved. ]

Wh— what?!

[legendofthelion]

[It sure did the throw off the whole affair. Dehya looks bewildered, until Fandaniel has decided he's had enough and kicks it.]

Hey--! [Like, yeah, it's asking for it, but it's still kicking a cat! She's about to tell him off when the tell of the debuff going off over his head chimes, and she selects him to see... that his stats are halved.

...

A chuckle escapes first, and then a proper laugh.] Maybe picking on some poor cat shouldn't have been your first solution!

[trollophoroi]

It's what you're supposed to— oh, forget it!

[ There's no use defending his digital cat-kicking. He won't, since he's sure Dehya's spotted his debuff. Instead, he goes on the offensive, immediately striking out at her with his fire spell.

It's... weak and piffly. Level one stats, halved? Yeah, he's doomed. ]

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya doesn't dodge mostly because she wants to see just how bad it can be with Fandaniel's stats depleted. It barely knocks out her HP.

Dehya grins, lifting her Oar into position.] Oh, this is going to be easy

[She charges right for him, swinging wide.]

[trollophoroi]

Oh, f—

[ That's all he'll get out before Dehya charges forth and strikes him with that wide swing with all her level one might. You might think that isn't much but compared to Fandaniel, she may as well be Hercules.

That's all it takes and his HP pops immediately to a big fat zero, leaving him to collapse right there and then, at the end of the dungeon. ]

[legendofthelion]

Heh. [Dehya watches him collapse. And this is considered the end of the dungeon, so... she walks to the exit, accepting the completion bounty and taking the gate back to Mac Anu. Presumably, Fandaniel can get his own loot once he respawns.]

[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.]