⬣//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

[trollophoroi]

[ They do, in fact, get the same locale, which answers that question. The gate drops them off in the middle of a vast snowy field, cold wind whipping about them and tugging at the hair and clothing of their avatars. Off ahead of them, through the pristine white snow, is a dip in the field that bursts with greenery, a forest seemingly existing at the heart of such a desolate snowscape. ]

Ah, here we are. 'tis indeed the same as before. How interesting!

[tablescraps]

( Mithrun regards their scenery with more than passive interest - minding its notable qualities and features, which inevitably takes his gaze to its heart. )

... It may be worthwhile to do multiple follow-up runs, keeping one keyword the same but altering the two others, to isolate which keyword controls which aspect of the Area.

( Since they appear to have confirmed the same keywords likely produce the same areas, what was left was the Rosetta Stone the individual parts.

He seems ready to set off for the next destination - the forest, he presumes - whenever Fandaniel gets moving. )

Are there enemies to be mindful of here?

[trollophoroi]

Not a terrible idea, if a time-consuming one. Quicker would be to recruit a large portion of the testers to test out the keyword and keep a forum post to compare notes after.

[ Which would be an interesting experiment! Though not one many would trust coming from Fandaniel himself. Mithrun might be unaware for now, but it won't be too long before he discovers the true nature of his friendly Shadow Warlock party member. It's... less than pleasant, unfortunately.

But that's an upcoming problem, not one right now, as he turns to being to trek across the snow to the dungeon itself. Ice-encrusted snow crunches under boots as they go, a satisfying sound as far as Fandaniel is concerned.

Oh, nothing too terrible. Some weak non-elemental monsters and a few water-based ones. You could get away with pulling all of them and not worry much.

[tablescraps]

( He makes a sound of acknowledgement in regards to a multi-party testing operation - something to consider and possibly recruit for after this, if there isn't an effort started already. He's not a particularly social type, but, being that he's here for self-recovery, he's just invested enough to want to understand how Fragment ticks.

He follows in step with Fandaniel, his stride shorter but steps purposeful, the snow soft beneath his weight. He sweeps the area with his gaze periodically, should a monster spawn out here, ahead of the forest. )

I will, then. If you can place debuffs on them to let me kill them faster, we shouldn't need to worry about healing at all.

( He puts a hand out, for the first time specifically acknowledging their locale, feeling the chill wind and any snow brush against his palm. His breath exhales white. )

Do you care for snow?

[trollophoroi]

Exactly. It should go smoothly enough if we don't get sloppy.

[ Of course, he doesn't have any debuffs, only direct damage spells, but Mithrun doesn't need to know that. Not that they'll get to the monsters just yet. They don't spawn outside the boundaries of the forest itself, though as the two close in on it, some movement in the trees can be seen by a keen eye. ]

Hm? Snow? Oh, I don't mind it. We don't get snow this deep where I live and it never remains this pristine, so 'tis enjoyable to experience it this way.

[tablescraps]

( He glances at Fandaniel only briefly, but his gaze turns to fix ahead once more - in general, he looks more to their path and the possibility of upcoming dangers more than he looks to his company at all. )

... Is the way you talk natural, or affected?

( Not said with any particular judgment or deep investment. He's just noticed it's been relatively consistent. )

[trollophoroi]

[ Is the way he talks—— excuse him? Fandaniel squints at Mithrun a moment, trying to suss out sarcasm in the other player's tone, but no, it's honest curiosity, isn't it? ]

I simply like how this way of speaking sounds. If we ever spoke in the real world, I would speak much more normally.

[ Ah, but what's that rustling about ahead and it's much more clear now. A flock of Phantom Wings take off from their perches in the trees at the edge of the dungeon, soaring up and then towards them. ]

[tablescraps]

I see.

( It must be fun for him, or something. Mithrun doesn't give it further thought, though - not with enemies abound.

Mithrun unsheaths broadoar, slipping into an almost natural battle stance - a comfort in battle largely lent to him by the game's mechanics - and he waits until one such Phantom Wings dives just close enough before he slams his oar into the head of the flock quick and mercilessly, the speed advantage of his class, though slight at level 1, apparent.

One Phantom Wing that slips in from his right side - the side with his glass eye - does slam into him with its massive wings, staggering him off balance. )

—These won't be easy to handle at close range.

( Warlock is a ranged class, right? Mithrun's a little preoccupied, but he expects Fandaniel to pull his weight. Go do ur magic stuff Mr. Part-time Jester. )

[trollophoroi]

[ Ranged, yes, but about to pull his weight? That would be where Mithrun is wrong. He makes no effort to attack while Mithrun pulls all the aggro to himself first and foremost and since Fandaniel lacks a place on the monster aggro list... ]

Very true but! I am most certain you shall figure it out, yes? Good luck!

[ See, he's just dropping party and disconnecting, right there, right then, leaving poor Mithrun all on his own to handle a pack of flying monsters at level one. ]

[tablescraps]

( wtf !!!

Well, by the time Mithrun register's what Fandaniel means by all that (because, honestly, he isn't paying that close attention), Fandaniel's already gone - a glance back reveals as much, a glance at the party list reveals as much, too.

Now, if he'd had a bit more HP on hand, maybe he could've sorted through the menus to figure out where the quit instance option is, but he's already missing a chunk of HP, and it's just going down faster.

So, you know. He gets to experience a realistic, simulated death for twenty minutes. And then he respawns in Mac Anu, disoriented, and isn't all that put together for another ten minutes or so.

And then he has some words for Fandaniel. Or maybe just one. )