⬣//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

[ntrd]

[She tries to say something, but having a cookie in her mouth and trying to get the words out doesn't work. Mid sentence, the cookie falls out of her mouth and her words are cut off.]

-for Aoi's route.

[She doesn't seem bothered about the cooking hitting the floor on the outside until she slowly turns her head to look down at her feet.]

The triggered glitched.

[dissimulative]

[ He also looks down at the fallen cookie. Rest in peace, little cookie. But then he looks up at her face. ]

"Aoi's route"?

[ He checks her character info and. Oh. Her name is Aoi. Hm. ]

You're saying that I don't have the prerequisites or something?

[ But he doesn't look bothered. It's just a little playing around between similarly aged people. Hopefully. Maybe. ]

[ntrd]

[She looks back at him and gives a slow nod.]

Yes. Aoi is looking to find the MC for her.

[That light joke goes right over her as she takes it literally.]

You approached Aoi. You still have several route flags you can select or ignore. Not yet locked into Aoi's route. [She looks at her avatar's body and then back at him.] Aoi's avatar not to your liking?

[dissimulative]

[ Oria has mostly flirted with normies, so Aoi is kinda a fresh perspective(???) on things. But he still finds himself at a loss for a second. ]

You're cute! But to have a route means you're locking everyone else out, so why not be friends with more people first? You can get to know them and all before you find the "MC" for you.

[ntrd]

[That kind of perspective is a new take for her, as it makes her sound like a main character rather. Seeing herself in such a way is something she's not accustomed to.]

Aoi's not important enough, but she will try to make some friends.

[And somewhat of an awkward follow up, but at least it makes sense.]

Will you be Aoi's friend in this game?

[dissimulative]

Yeah! I'll be your friend. I'm Oriade. The more friends you make, the more important you become to others!

[ A pause. ]

That's a good thing, by the way.

[ Then he sends her a friend request. ]

[ntrd]

[She takes his words seriously as she repeat part of it to herself. It's almost like she's telling herself this to memorize it.]

... become more important with friends. Aoi will try for this game.

[She sees the friend request and accepts.]

Oriade is now Aoi's friend in this game. A little more important now. Oriade is important to Aoi.

[dissimulative]

[ Having it said that much makes him feel slightly embarrassed, but concern mostly wins out. ]

Yeah! Here.

[ He picks up another cookie from the table to hold it in front of Aoi. He wants to see if she'll nibble like a squirrel instead of staring at him blankly like before. ]

As a token of our friendship.

[ntrd]

[She carefully takes the cookie, looking at him, at the cookie. She's very careful as she holds it, not wanting to break it or lose a single crumb.]

Aoi will keep this cookie in her inventory forever. Thank you.

[dissimulative]

[ If it was a real cookie, he'd object to it, but it's a digital cookie. No harm in that, right? Right. The act makes him smile though. That was so cute... ]

You're so sweet.

[ After that, he holds his hand out. ]

Wanna go take a look around? Maybe you'll find a place that you like here.

[ntrd]

[She blushes at his comment, still ever so careful with the cookie as she finds a place to keep it safe. If someone did the same thing in real, she'd probably keep that cookie until it turned into that dust.]

You are the one who gave Aoi the cookie. You're sweeter.

[Maybe she's comfortable enough that that stiffness and weird mannerisms is far less apparent for this time being.]

Yes, would like to spend more time together if that's ok. Need to unlock more of the map more. Earlier got blocked by an invisible wall.

[dissimulative]

[ Oria is not really for sweet things, but cute people? Hell yeah, sign him up. ]

Sure! I guess that means you hit the town limit, huh? There's always much more to see than that, especially since this is the kinda game to capitalize on how beautiful the visuals are! Have you ever been to a place like this before?