⬣//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

[insinning]

I mean.

[Idling as he draws out...a giant stop sign. :T]

I think it matches what the rest of us have.

[Sinclair brightens at the thought]

Me too. My workplace was pretty relaxed about me taking some time off to help beta this. I thought they'd be really mad at me when I asked.

[dissimulative]

You got to take time off to beta? Your workplace sounds pretty cool!

[ He would never be able to imagine that sort of scenario for himself... but then he sees the stop sign and pulls out his own water gun (weapon). It's... not very impressive. ]

But smacking things with stop signs is so raw! The sheer awesome as if you're in a zombie apocalypse!

[insinning]

[Kind of flashbacking to the time he got bullied into a cooking competition, made fun of by all the people in his team to the point of giving up. He wont mention that]

It's more like, I think they want me to do some digging for them. It's only for a few days though, then they expect me to go back to work as usual.

[Tech companies and their rivalries, honestly. And when Oria(de) puts it like that--]

I guess it does sound pretty cool. But only if we're fighting a zombie hoard.

[dissimulative]

Who knows? There could be a dungeon with zombies in it! I hope I get to find it once I get a better weapon.

[ A water gun. Really? Yeah. It's not even a super soaker either. It's tiny. ]

Then I can bring you alo--oh right. Let me do this first.

[ He sends him a friend request. ]

[insinning]

[Oh!

Idling a little as he tries to work out how to accept. Ping! Friend request accepted. Cracking his first little smile in awhile]

If it's a zombie rush, you'd probably need a fire truck and a hose if I'm stuck with a stop sign.

[dissimulative]

Jet stream should totally be a high level water spell.

[ He laughs a little. That would be super awesome to see, in his opinion. But also, he's smiling! Yeah!! He feels so accomplished right now. ]

It would definitely take out mobs in one go! Like fwooosh!

[ He even gives wild gestures with his arms to mimic fast flowing water. ]

[insinning]

[Laughing a little at the mental image and Oria's little gestures.]

Hopefully not in a way that blocks our exits. I don't think I could climb over a zombie hoard in this armor.

[dissimulative]

That's true. Lord Partizan armors are all pretty heavy, aren't they?

[ Though that makes him think. ]

Do you think you'll feel lighter if you somehow... change the outside visuals? Like changing into a costume that has a t-shirt and pants. Those are definitely lighter than armor.

[insinning]

Hmm...I wonder. I could try changing the appearances. I didn't really look at the pile they had for us.

[That just means equipping the free skins, right?]

[dissimulative]

Let's take a look!

[ Oria takes Sinclair by the hand and leads him to where all the costumes are. It really feels like an outdoor walk-in closet... ]

You know, someone mentioned that if I wear a broccoli costume, it might draw aggro. Lord partizan is kinda a tank class, right? But no aggro.

[insinning]

[Could. Could a broccoli fight? He lets Oria lead him along without protest]

Apparently we can hit hard too, but. We're really slow.

[dissimulative]

So you can't chase after someone because of how heavy your armor is... is probably the reason why. You should definitely be allowed to move faster when you're not in battle though, or you'll take forever to get to places. Mac Anu seems kinda big.

[ Oria goes to this one and points to it. ]

Visibility decreased but I think you'd definitely draw aggro.

[ If not monsters, then at least players. ]

[insinning]

Ah, that's a good point--the balance would be really bad. Maybe I just need better shoes.

[Snorting a little as he digs through the closet]

I don't know, if I saw that, I might feel the need to run away.

[Looking through things. A horse costume should be a blessing to make people go faster. But. No.]

[dissimulative]

Horse Partizan...

[ Oria looks so thoughtful, but ends up laughing anyway. ]

It's a shame that we can only take one. All these costumes have potential.

[insinning]

...I feel like it should be a class of its own.

[No, Oria. No]

Which one are you thinking of?

[dissimulative]

Do you think we can ever get a costume skin that looks like someone else?

[ Much to think about. ]

[insinning]

Like--the red power ranger or another person here?

[Important questions to ask as we look through the media of the world in the alternate year 2000]

[dissimulative]

[ Oria was about to say "another person", but that gives him an idea. ]

Power ranger clothes basically have 0 weight!

[ Do you know what that means, Sinclair... ]

[insinning]

Oh, you're right--!

[Simple, protective yet not heavy. ]

[dissimulative]

Yeah! So, go try one out!

[ :) ]

[insinning]

[ oblivious!!]

Are you going to try one?

[looking for a power ranger costume . He finds a creepy head chicken which gets put away(straight into his inventory) without him thinking twice about it. Power Rangers!!! Come on!!]

[dissimulative]

No? I'm not the one who needs less weight for mobility.

[ He's trying very hard to hint this at Sinclair. C'mon, man. ]

[insinning]

[ He finds one!

He doesn't remember it looking like this though?]

True but... don't you want a free skin anyway? One that might give you more protection?

[ The costume gets equipped and :T]

[dissimulative]

I'm good! I can kite enough to avoid damage.

[ Probably. But wow, look at this guy. Oria makes a wolf whistle sound. ]

Nice pecs.

[insinning]

Ah. That's...

[ How did he not notice the pecs??? Dying irl. Unequipping with great dignity]

I don't think that's going to help with mobility.