⬣//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

[regressive]

You can hold onto this if you're worried that you're going to get lost in the crowd.

[ It's dangerous to go alone, take this other end of his yaoi oar. This is ridiculous. ]

[fluorite]

Letting me hold onto your oar? That's generous!

[ Fai has no shame in grabbing onto one end of it. Lead the way, Joonghyuk! ]

[regressive]

What's so generous—

[ Actually... does he really want to ask that question and get the answer? No. Putting yaoi and generous in one sentence might lead to unexpected situations. They manage to reach the gondolas without issue, even though Joonghyuk wonders if NPCs are programmed to look at people passing by close or is it just the power of the Yaoi Oar.

Anyway, it looks like their ride is here. ]

You go first.

[fluorite]

[ He certainly doesn't! It's a good thing they arrive at the gondolas before Fai can really answer that question anyway.

He looks over at Joonghyuk. ]

Scared you might fall in?

[ He steps into the gondola. It moves a bit in the water, but he doesn't tip it over. ]

[regressive]

[ Trying to be nice ^{[citation needed]} and this is what he gets? This will never happen again. ]

Do I look like someone who's scared of water?

[ Even if he fell in, he has Yaoi Oar with him, so nothing can go wrong. But he follows Fai with a frown and sits on the opposite side. ]

If you fall off because you're drunk or something, I won't let you drown. Not sure if you can drown here in the first place.

[ Okay, now being nice won't happen again. ]

[fluorite]

[ Oh, his niceness with a touch of a bad attitude is cute... Fai settles down in the gondola as he lets out a laugh. ]

I'm not drunk, don't worry~ I'll try and save you too if you happen to fall in. I've got a strong arm.

[ He absolutely does not, but that's fine. ]

[regressive]

You've got noodly arms, so I doubt it.

[ Fai might be aware of that, but Joonghyuk won't shy away from pointing it out. ]

Why are you here?

[ What he means is the game in general yet never specifies that. ]

[fluorite]

[ Wow, rude. Because of that, Fai chooses to answer him literally. ]

You forced me to come along.

[regressive]

[ Narrowing his eyes, Joonghyuk... basically repeats himself because that will help with making his point. ]

I asked why are you here!

[ What part of this Fai doesn't understand!! ]

[fluorite]

[ He laughs as he reclines back a bit in the boat, enough to stretch out his legs some. ]

I came upon an email inviting me to the beta. So, I thought I'd give it a shot.

[ Isn't he nice, putting Joonghyuk out of his misery and answering in earnest? ]

What about you?

[regressive]

Are you a gamer?

[ He's not getting gamer vibes from Fai... but what does he know. ]

Same for me. Thought that playing an MMO might be a good change of pace.

[ From what?? It is a mystery. ]

[fluorite]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I've only ever played games if someone asks me to join them. This is my first time in anything VR like this.

[regressive]

This company...

[ He lets out an exasperated sigh. ]

Do you even know how to report bugs?

[ This is such a fun gondola ride, isn't it!! Joonghyuk is such an entertaining man :') ]

[fluorite]

[ At least Fai doesn't seem to mind too much, even as he frowns and looks up at the sky. ]

There's a report button on the menus somewhere, isn't there...?

[regressive]

Yeah. If you find it yourself, you'll remember it better.

[ So nice and helpful. For a moment there, Joonghyuk just looks around as their gondola moves along the canal. ]

Damn, it's impressive. I hope it succeeds.

[ That definitely was a slip of the tongue. ]

[fluorite]

[ It sure was, and Fai is going to latch right onto it. ]

You like what you see so far? I hope it succeeds too, even if I don't end up becoming a long-term player.

[regressive]

Yeah. It's well made and all that.

[ A rare moment of honesty. ]

If it becomes available to the public, I might bow out, too. It's not fun waiting for hours in a queue. There are tons of other games.

[fluorite]

You can end up waiting hours?

[ That sounds... bad, and that emotion shows plainly on Fai's face. ]

I would probably bow out myself in that case.

[regressive]

Yeah. Servers have limited space, after all.

[ Nothing like talking about hardware in a gondola. ]

There are plenty of games, at least. If you make friends here, you can convince them to join you in the next one.

[fluorite]

Maybe I'll do that!

[ Even though he can't really see himself hopping to another game, only because he doesn't play them much at all. ]

Though I'd rather just meet up in real life at that point.

[regressive]

I guess some people are into meeting offline despite the dangers.

[ Strongly implying that he definitely is not. ]