⬣//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

[fluorite]

Well, that's not too much younger. But as a doctoral candidate, I really do mean it... I'd rather not wrangle college-age partiers.

[ Sometimes they're at the bars he goes to! The travesty!!! ]

[userunfriendly]

Joining the beta of a game like this may not have been the best choice, then.

[ If Fai thinks the youth are everywhere already... only one place worse than bars, and that's the internet. ]

What field?

[fluorite]

[ Michel has a point... Fai thinks he's been lucky in mingling with mostly people around his age, at least. ]

Chemistry. I have a specialization, but I know not everyone cares about the details.

[userunfriendly]

I won't understand it. [ But even he knows that sounds like he doesn't care, so: ] Explain it the way you would to a student.

[fluorite]

[ Fai is about to brush off his comment with a shrug, but that addendum makes him smile. ]

My specialization is physical chemistry. I take a look at the physics of chemical reactions. For example, right now I'm studying the way chemicals in the air react to one another and create air pollutants.

[userunfriendly]

[ Ah, that's clear enough for even him to follow. ]

To reduce the existing pollutants? Or slow the increase in the future?

[fluorite]

[ He gives that a bit of thought. ]

Both, ideally. Studying how to reduce them can help us create things that can lead to slowing the increase as well.

[userunfriendly]

Research that could help quite a few people. It's impressive work.

[ High-pressure, probably. He'll consider that the provisional explanation for watergun antics. ]

[fluorite]

Ah… thanks.

[ He smiles softly. ]

I really enjoy it, so I’m glad I get to help people on the side.

[ But enough about him!!!! ]

What do you do?

[userunfriendly]

[ Which is making Michel more awkward, so much talking or that smile? Whichever it is, he's just going to address the problem by drinking more and glancing aside. ]

Engineering, mostly database maintenance. The shift suits me.

[ That's about the sum total of what there is to say about his job, honestly: he certainly has one. It passes time. ]

[fluorite]

Oh, that's difficult work, isn't it?

[ Tell him more! He's curious about what that entails for Michel specifically, since he knows a lot of people who are in that field themselves. ]

[userunfriendly]

Routine, generally. Fires are uncommon.

[ Literal or figurative, Fai can decide. Michel blinks the blink of a man more awkward than deliberately cagey. ]

[fluorite]

I would hope so! Do you have plenty of fire extinguishers handy?

[ It's impossible to tell if Fai means that metaphorically or literally... ]

[userunfriendly]

[ "Both" would also be abundantly fair. ]

I'll find out if it's "plenty" the next time something burns. It's not unlike a beta test in that regard.

[fluorite]

Ah, I think I understand! Sounds like hard work when things set on fire.

[ Stressful too, he imagines. ]

[userunfriendly]

Maybe it adds interest.

[ Maybe. The enthusiasm! This is probably the most Winter has ever said about his job, to be fair. He takes another drink to fill the awkward pause. ]

[fluorite]

[ He smiles, tilting his head. At least Fai doesn't seem bothered by the awkward pause as he skirts right past it. ]

Does that mean you thrive under pressure, Winter?

[userunfriendly]

[ Thank god someone is carrying this conversation... ]

Thrive? ...It doesn't particularly affect me. For good or for bad. Is that what you enjoy about research?

[fluorite]

It is, actually. I like a little bit of chaos and uncertainty in my work. It keeps things entertaining.

[ He does well under pressure... well, for work. Personal pressure is different. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ This man smiles entirely too much... although smiling about his work puts Winter slightly less on edge than the others. ]

You should do well with MMOs, then. It's likely to be mostly chaos.

[fluorite]

This party seems to be an indicator of that, at least.

[ Water guns and nerf darts and all that, which Winter is well familiar with now. ]

I hope you enjoy the chaos of the game too.

[ He sends out a friend request. ]

[userunfriendly]

With your contribution?

[ Water gun crimes are remembered. But despite the dry tone, Winter accepts the friend request after just a momentary pause and gives a curt nod. ]

[fluorite]

That goes without saying, doesn't it?

[ He gives Winter a wink. ]

I'll invite you to go to a dungeon sometime! See you around~

[userunfriendly]

[ His expression clearly says that that wink is a suspendable offense. But Winter nods again and drifts off with the rest of his cocktail.

Time to get accidentally tipsy before his first dungeon run! ]