⬣//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

[secondthoughts]

[ Good question, actually. Hector thinks for a moment, genuinely considering that. Is he picky with things like food? Other drinks?

...Considering the stuff he'd readily put in his mouth, probably not. ]

Nah. [ He waves his hand, giving his answer. ] Just wine. If I want a cheap drink, I'll get beer. If I have wine? It better be good.

[bleatingedge]

[Oh thank god all of that went over Hector's head. Crisis averted!]

Well, I can't speak for the other alcohol - I haven't gotten around to it yet - but I'm sure there's something over there that'll strike your fancy.

[secondthoughts]

[ Congrats, Leo. You have discovered on day one that this man, for all the bravado he puts on, is fucking dense.

He laughs at that, though. ]

Yeah. There's always tequila if I'm desperate.

[ Thankfully, the wine isn't bad enough for that. ]

And what about you? Enjoying the buffet?

[bleatingedge]

Absolutely! The food tastes like the real thing and it's free. What's not to like?

[It's calorie-free too, which would probably matter to someone as fucking sculpted as Hector, but not Leo... so it slips his mind.]

I'd recommend the fish and chips, they're probably my favorite so far.

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector grins at that—and because it absolutely does matter, he brings it up. ]

Tastes real, but isn't real. I can eat all I want.

[ To emphasize, he grabs another baklava from the table. Yummy.

He's about to take a bite when Leo speaks again, and he briefly scans the table. ]

Fish and chips? Where'd you find those?

[ He's been hanging around this side of the table... ]

[bleatingedge]

[Leo points to the other side of the table.]

Over where the other savory and salty stuff is. The most interesting part is that it tastes exactly like what you'd expect, but slightly different? Like it's using this world's fish instead of ours, if that makes any sense.

[He yoinks a baklava for himself and munches on it.]

I wonder if there's any fishing or cooking systems in this game... Could be a pretty fun way to pass the time. Potentially lucrative too, if you can make stuff that tastes completely unique from Earth cuisine.

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector follows Leo's finger, and he takes note of the side of the table he's yet to get to. Right. There's so much food, is he going to get past the dessert section...

He nods as he chews, attention coming back to Leo. Ooh, fishing. ]

Haven't seen anything about crafting yet, but they might add it in later. It's still in beta. [ If they can recreate tastes like these, then they can probably add cooking. ] And you've got a point. I'm not much of a cook myself, but I could see how experimenting with the food could be fun.

[bleatingedge]

Yeah, crafting systems and time sinks like that are some of the things I like the most about MMOs and RPGs in general, so if they added them in I'd be pleased.

[It's also where exploits and crazy game breaks happen, which are a boon for his guides, so a little of column A, a little of column B.]

I'm kinda with you with not being an actual cook, but when you gamify something, you have my attention! [Another laugh-snort.]

[secondthoughts]

[ When Leo laughs, Hector joins in. He thinks briefly about how much of a time sink that could be, and decides he probably doesn't have the time for full blown crafting, but— ]

I have an idea.

[ The fish and chips are so far away, so he discards the idea for now. After this conversation, though. ]

When they tell us about crafting, I'll more than happily collect materials for you. [ Is this how this works? Making business connections on day one? ] Or accompany you when you go out to get them. [ Oh yeah— ] What class are you?

[bleatingedge]

[Leo smiles at the offer and nods as enthusiastically as a perpetually tired Gamer can, anyway.]

I'm a Wavemaster. What are you? [Maybe they can make a cool duo.]

[secondthoughts]

Harvest Cleric.

[ Hector matches the smile with one of his own, his posture shifting to note his approval. ]

We just need a couple of guys in the front and we're good to go. How about it? Wanna go out exploring sometime?

[ They DEFNITELY could make a good team. He can feel it in his virtual bones. ]

[bleatingedge]

Absolutely!

[Holy shit, is this what making friends is like? It's actually kinda nice.]

Ah, hold on, one sec. [Leo brings up the game's menu and 'clicks' on Hector.] There. I sent you a friend request.

[secondthoughts]

[ WELCOME TO EXTROVERT TOWN, LEO. ]

Oh, yeah! I got it. [ Pause for a second while Hector clicks on "accept!" ]

It's so real, I forgot this was a game for a sec.

[bleatingedge]

Haha, yeah, everything feels so real! But I guess looking down and seeing fur and hooves kinda gives it away pretty quickly.

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector looks down, takes in the loincloth and the hooves, then laughs. ]

Yeah, that'd do it.

[ He holds out a hand. ]

You can call me Hector.

[bleatingedge]

[Oh god, Leo didn't even introduce himself yet. Doy.]

[He grips Hector's hand rather loosely and shakes. Tight grips take, like, effort and shit.]

Nice to meet you, Hector. I'm Leo. Or Faunus for my username, whichever you prefer. [The nonchalance in his voice makes it clear that it genuinely doesn't bother him either way.]

[secondthoughts]

[ In contrast, Hector grips Leo's hand harder and gives a firm shake. Hector's all about that Effort. ]

Leo's probably easier for me to remember, then. [ Like his sign!

He lets go and gives a playful punch to his arm. ]

Great to meet you. I hope we get to game together sometime.

[bleatingedge]

Oof! [Leo flinches from the punch, as he left his pain sensors on. Might as well experience things at their fullest first before switching them off to taste.] Haha, yeah. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet up during the beta!

[The goat-man goes back to sampling the goods nearest to his seat.] Anywho, don't let me keep you any longer, go ahead and try out more of this stuff!

[secondthoughts]

Yeah, you too!

[ Hector steps back and gives a little wave. ]

I've got fish and chips to try out, apparently. See ya 'round, Leo!

[bleatingedge]

See ya~

[Leo immediately starts shoving things into his gaping maw now that it's not being occupied by words.]

((Good stopping point I think!))