⬣//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

[arsenist]

You have an interesting style, then...

[If Akira were another kind of person, he'd be teasing him for having bad taste. Instead, he's just being as generous as he can be.]

Still, you know this thing would be super popular with others, right? It's pretty nice of you to give it away for free.

[Akira knows he would, but... Most people aren't wired that way, in his experience.]

[regressive]

I don't care if it's popular with others or not. I just want it gone.

[ And for that reason he's going to try and drop it on the ground for Akira to pick, but... it's not working. ]

What is going on? [ Here comes another try just as unsucessful as the previous one. With his inventory screen open, he makes a few more attempts but with similar results. ] Stupid bugged beta... I can't even destroy it.

[ Theree's no option for that. ]

How badly do you want this?

[arsenist]

I would kill a man for this dress.

[Akira puts absolutely no inflection into his voice, so it's impossible to tell if he's being serious or not.]

But if you're not able to destroy it, that sounds like maybe it's meant to be, you know? I bet it's grown fond of you.

[What does that even mean...

Even if his voice and expression haven't changed much, there's a spark in his eyes watching Joonghyuk struggling with his inventory. Humor, of course, but also a sharp curiosity.]

[regressive]

We can PvP if they're planning to add it to the beta. [ Spoiler: they will. ] And if this weird bug gets fixed.

[ Time to ignore what Akira said about him and this maid dress being meant to be. ]

If you're so desperate, I can tell you where you can get it.

[arsenist]

[He's running from true love... That's so tragic.]

I'd rather not pick a fight if I don't have to, so the info would be better. [However... He waves a hand where Joonghyuk's inventory had been.] What will you do with the one you wanted to get rid of so badly?

[regressive]

That's not really your business. [ And yet, he continues: ] I'll get rid of it as soon as I can. This game can get glitchy, so I don't want to log in one day wearing this.

[ That would be so tragic. ]

Just use the keywords Dancing Black Evergreen before you enter a dungeon.

[arsenist]

[Not his business but he still gets to find out... The most ideal situation.]

Turning it down without even giving it a chance... That's a shame. I'm sure you'd do it justice.

[Akira should visit this dungeon, too... Maybe he can make the most of this glitch before it runs out.]

Got it, though. Were there any strong monsters I should keep an eye out for?

[There has to be, right...? Even if they're just starting out, there's no way something like this wouldn't be well guarded. It's a maid dress???]

[regressive]

This outfit has nothing to do with justice. And if it does, I'd rather be the bad guy.

[ If you thought that Joonghyuk puts Punisher in the Edge Punisher, you were wrong all along. He puts EDGE in the EDGE PUNISHER. ]

Sky Fish, Skate Rat Ark and Wander Demons. Watch out for Wander Demons especially, but Skate Rat Arks and Sky Fish are annoying if you don't have ranged attacks.

[ Who cares about maid outfits, let's talk COMBAT STRATEGIES. ]

[arsenist]

If you've never seen a maid fight for justice, I think you need some manga in your life.

[There's at least one that exists! Give it a year for them and it'll even have an anime.]

My level and equipment aren't high enough yet to deal good damage, but I definitely have some ranged attacks covered. Are the Wander Demons just hard hitters?

[Akira's enjoying this, seeing how Joonghyuk practically comes to life as compared to discussing the dress. Is he one of those players that studies all of the meta...?]

[regressive]

Hard pass. Aren't you a bit obsessed with maids?

[ He's dealing with a horny teenager, isn't he... ]

They can summon low-level demons, so you have to get rid of them fast. But they also hit hard, so use your best skills on them. Or you can just form a party with someone, not being the only target they can focus on would make things a bit easier.

[ Meta > Maids. Come back to him when maids get to be meta because that might be interesting. ]

[arsenist]

[Hey, it's not too late for Akira to turn out to be a horny old man!]

I'm absolutely invested in seeing if I can rock that dress, it's true. You caught me.

[That's another statement that's ambiguous from its lack of inflection, though... A pattern is emerging, here.]

Sounds like a bit of a hassle, but I wouldn't expect any less. Not when it comes to getting this. [He let a beat pass before arching an eyebrow.] Hey, want to party up?

[regressive]

[ For all Joonghyuk knows, he might be a retired maid who still daydreams about work. ]

So I can get a second unremovable maid dress? [ He raises his eyebrow in surprise. Is this guy for real!! ] Find someone else. I gave you the keywords already. I'm way too nice.

[arsenist]

[Akira snorts out a laugh, almost like he hadn't meant to, and it's possibly the most genuine sounding noise he's made yet.]

Damn, you caught me quick. It's fine, though. You know what they say - you don't know what you have until it's gone. [One day Joonghyuk will understand his lost love...] Even so, I appreciate the help, Mr. Nice Guy.

[regressive]

[ His niceness meter is off the charts during this interaction, so it's time to change it. ]

I know I had enough of this conversation. [ Does that count?? ] I'm going.

[ His job here is done, Akira can live his best maid life now. ]