⬣//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

[dzelkva]

[ The creature lumbers about as Dehya tries to get away, but there are footsteps approaching the three—fast footsteps.

Before the creature can make another lunge at either of them, Zelkova bursts into the room, wielding something that doesn't look like his scythe.

Rather, it's a strange green and blue bracelet that expands around his wrist as he holds his hand out towards the bone dragon, flashes of static flitting across both Fandaniel's and Dehya's headsets. Wispy green and pink and blue code pours out of his bracelet and into the bone dragon before funneling right back into Zelkova's bracelet. Then, immediately after, the bracelet retracts and disappears around his wrist.

Those green glyphs have now disappeared, and with a single swing of his scythe, the bone dragon has been defeated. ]

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel jerks around to stare at Zelkova as he bursts in, a bracelet of code expanding out from his wrist, and then, as quickly as it happened, it all seems to be over. The code is gone, the bracelet is gone, and the dragon is dead. Naturally, he has questions, but those will only come to mind after he's pushed off from where he was standing to get to FlameMane. ]

Hey! What was with the screaming?!

[ Which is his way of asking if she's okay, honestly. He thought she played with the pain sensors off? ]

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya can't get away fast enough, struggles to lift her blade high enough, but before she can even brace herself for the next blow something draws the glyphs away. Her gaze shifts to meet Zelkova's figure as he comes forward and in a single hit demolishes the dragon. Must be nice to be level 100.

At once all the adrenaline leaves her body and she slides down to her knees, still feeling her neck in one hand. Thanking Zelkova, too, will have to wait, as when she looks up while catching her breath she's faced with Fandaniel instead.]

It hurt. [But the heat in her voice is already dying before the words finish escaping. The unease overcomes any other emotion trying to bring itself to the surface. She feels... wrong.

She shakes her head.] It really felt like my throat was being ripped out.

[Slowly she draws her hand back. Not completely sure she trusts her own sense right now, she asks:] Are there holes?

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova eyes them both, looking between them for any injuries. He can't tell how they feel, though, not from the outside like this. ]

Are you feeling alright now?

[trollophoroi]

There are... but... they look as though they're healing?

[ Already? Well, it is supposedly only a game, after all. Damage isn't permanent. He looks away from Dehya, towards Zelkova now. ]

I'm fine but she was bitten. What was that thing? How did you get past its shields?

[legendofthelion]

[Holes that are already healing... right. Because it's just a game.]

I'm fine. [She forces it out tensely, pushing herself back up.] Thanks. It just shocked me, but I don't see any status effect.

[She, too, is curious about what was up with that boss though, and looks at Zelkova with expectation.]

[dzelkva]

The bone dragon. It's a boss hidden in this Area.

[ Which they probably know already, huh? Zelkova gives them both a look-over, making sure that their wounds look like they'll heal. And sure enough, they are. ]

I used a tool that I have at my disposal.

[ But he offers no more. ]

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel lingers by Dehya but he only stares at Zelkova now that it seems she'll be fine. His eyes narrow a hint. ]

If it was a boss, then why come to rescue us? Why not let us die to it and learn our lesson?

[legendofthelion]

[Indeed, if it's just a boss then trialing through it is just part of the game.

But that's the thing, isn't it.] I got the keywords from a message but we're not supposed to be in this area, are we?

[At least, not as it is now.]

[dzelkva]

You've already learned your lesson just by getting hurt from it.

[ Surely that's enough, isn't it? Zelkova crosses his arms. ]

I don't think this Area is ready for players yet.

[ An indirect answer to her question, but one nevertheless. ]

[trollophoroi]

[ Is it, though? ]

Zelkova. Who is sending us these keywords? This keeps happening.

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya nods.] There's clearly someone interfering with the beta but we haven't been told anything directly about it. What's going on?

[dzelkva]

I'm still trying to figure both of those things out.

[ He furrows his brows. ]

I'm running into a lot of roadblocks.

[trollophoroi]

But you're a part of this world, are you not? Shouldn't you know more?

[ Assuming that wasn't some weird lie, claiming to be, what? An NPC, but not really? ]

[dzelkva]

I might be from this world, but it's like there's yellow caution tape around a lot of things.

[ He has a myriad of other reasons why he's so tightlipped too, but this is a big one. ]

[trollophoroi]

So? Then do what a human would do and duck under the tape!

[ A big demand from a human to a... AI? Person? ]

[legendofthelion]

[Hold on a second, Zelvoka isn't human?? Dehya has actually managed to miss this little tidbit until now, so now she's regarding him like he has two heads. Not an admin... can AI be so advanced?]

Is it a, uh, limit of your programming?

[dzelkva]

...In a way.

[ But AI can learn... can't it? He looks over at Fandaniel. ]

I've been looking for ways around the tape, hoping I'll find a spot.

[trollophoroi]

You are?

[ Now that's a surprise. Even knowing what Zelkova seems to be, he would have assumed they were going to get some spiel about following the rules or something, not... that. ]

I see. Then... I wish you luck with your efforts, Zelkova, but perhaps we need a warning about not following keywords from messages at this point. Mm, not that most would listen, unfortunately.

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya rubs the back of her neck. Yeah, maybe some of them are too curious for their own good...]

That's something we could do, right? [A warning?] Would that help you, Zelkova?

[dzelkva]

I think it would help all of you more than me, honestly.

[ But also, he doesn't control them. Not at all. ]

[trollophoroi]

Mm, well, such a message would be better suited coming from you, my dear FlameMane. I rarely assume people take me seriously.

[ Because he's the local clown here, y'all. ]

[legendofthelion]

Well... there is a reason for that. [Act like a clown, get treated like a clown.]

But sure, I can take care of that. [She looks at Zelkova again.] Thanks again for coming to our rescue.

[dzelkva]

No problem. I'm here to help, after all.

[ And speaking of, his job here is done, so he's getting ready to gate out elsewhere. ]

Can the two of you get back safe?

[trollophoroi]

Mm, we should be able to.

[ Gating out is fine. It's not like anything else in the dungeon was aggressive. ]