⬣//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

adventure!

[ophidie]

[It's taken her about the same time to acclimate, studying both the tutorials and skills in equal measure. While embarrassing to carry around, the yaoi oar at least cuts a slightly more intimidating silhouette than some of the other starter weapons. Unlike some things, it looks like it could actually do some damage.

Miharu's avatar (display name: Scitalis) looks a little surprised at being invited openly. She hesitates before responding, considering just turning on her heel and walking out toward the field without responding.]

I was planning on going by myself. [But she doesn't ignore the invitation outright, nor does she decline it immediately.] I think the party's dragged out enough. Some people just want to keep drinking.

Re: adventure!

[rebelles]

Oh, well, would you mind if we walked together?

[ Haru, or Noir as she calls herself online, follows after the girl with the paddle (the joke lost on her, as is the cringe). Scitalis wastes no time setting out to the field and seems to approach the game seriously. Noir wouldn't want to hold her back with her inexperience, but perhaps she won't mind company while they're heading the same way. ]

I suppose it's easy to get carried away when the food is delicious and the drinks are free.

[ophidie]

[Pausing just long enough to reply, she brushes her hair back gently from her shoulder.] We're both going the same way, aren't we? [She gives Noir a distant smile, doing nothing to deter her from tagging along.

Though there's only so much immediately accessible around the Root Town. It sounded like there was a keyword system to access the actual play content, so that's something she'll have to take a look at instead of wandering aimlessly.]

When you put it that way... Yeah, it's hard to turn down something free. [It's the cheapest price, after all, even if the goods they're getting in this case aren't real.] Maybe I just don't have as much free time? I have to learn how to play sometime.

[rebelles]

There's a lot to explore here. I have much to learn as well.

[ Haru agrees. She would also prefer to begin adventuring than to linger at the party. Her eyes take in the fantasy world as they walk. It feels easy to lose track of time here and forget her social obligations, though she knows she mustn't. ]

It's exciting, though. It feels as if we've been transported to another world.

[ophidie]

It really does. Like falling asleep and winding up in some dream world.

[A dream where every feeling, from taste to pain, can feel completely real, but Miharu doesn't comment on that aspect of it. It might just be that some dreams feel as real as waking already.

There's the slightest break of believability, knowing she can't just walk through the front gate. She rests her chin on her hand, looking back at the digital walls of the town around them.]

But we're all experiencing the same dream... You could say the escapism will only get someone so far. [Miharu gestures to the menu that allows them to put in area details for exploration.]

[rebelles]

That's true. Even if it feels real, it's make believe in the end.

[ Escapism will only get one so far...Those words remind her of her troubles in the real world, and how coming here to escape them was only temporary. She won't think of that now, though, instead leaning in to examine the menu Scitalis brings up. Oh, so it's not just walking somewhere and running into monsters. Tentatively, she extends her finger to hit the randomize button. ]

'Dawning Doomed Masquerade'?

[ Now that doesn't sound ominous at all. ]

[ophidie]

[That's right. Whatever happens here, it's somewhere between a dream and waking. Other people may be involved, but they are and likely always will be strangers with little impact on one another's lives.

Before she can comment on the make-believe nature of the game, Miharu lifts her head in surprise at the area keywords the randomizer spits out.]

That's just asking for trouble, isn't it?

[This is coming from the girl who will in the future run through "Unending Mourning Shadow" on her own, but it's not like she's psychic. It's much easier to say than to do.]

It also doesn't make a lot of sense. Those are just nonsense words when strung together.

[rebelles]

The 'doomed' part makes me think it could be dangerous, but shall we give it a try?

[ Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Who knows, it could turn out to be a fun adventure, and if not, they'll know what to expect next time. The unknown sends a thrill down her spine. She's feeling daring. In her real life, risky behavior would never be allowed, but she isn't the Okumura heir in this world. ]

It's a game, so I doubt we'll be in any true danger.

[ophidie]

[She really had thought she'd just be exploring on her own, but Miharu's already opened some kind of gate by not just ignoring the other player outright. Keeping the worst of her classmates at bay by simply refusing to acknowledge them at all. In essence, she's been doomed (hah) from the start.

She's getting a better handle on what is and isn't communicated through her body language in the game world, but her shoulders nonetheless move a little too much when she sighs in acquiescence before shrugging.]

Very well. How long could it take? If it came up automatically, it has to be something they intend to be played.

[Miharu similarly doesn't see anything that could pose a real threat - from the dungeon, anyway.]

[rebelles]

[ Picking up on the other's reaction, Haru's own shoulders fall for a second, wondering if she had overstepped. Maybe she was too eager to assume they would run the dungeon together, a mistake she would have graciously accepted, so she's glad when the girl doesn't reject her suggestion. Straightening up, she holds her gun at the ready and smiles. ]

I'm Noir. I'll cover you with backup fire.