⬣//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

newbie alert;

[ganymed]

They don't look like anything else. Unfortunately.

[ Actually the 'anything else' they look like is 'shit' but that's obvious so eh. ]

I did think it might be a prank, though.

[weaseled]

We can't rule out this being a prank. Why would a company give their precious beta testers such crappy stuff?

[ganymed]

Because someone up at the top might still have a terrible sense of humor?

[ Womp womp womp ]

[weaseled]

Hah. Say it louder. Maybe they'll hear you.

[Yael would've been cool with the stop sign, but what's with these railroad spikes? Totally lame.]

What kind of crap did they stick you with? I can't tell what class you are.

[ganymed]

Maybe I should turn up my volume on my PC. They will definitely hear it then.

[ Their snarking at the people who put this together aside, Yael is valid for wanting to do this, you know.

Ganymede would have loved if the fans were a bit more sturdy than paper too. ]

Paper fans. I'm a Macabre Dancer.

...What about you? I haven't exactly gotten used to how this entire thing works either.

[weaseled]

Another male dancer?

[Man. Yael sounds ever so slightly disappointed, but only ever so slightly.]

Well, not like it matters. I'm still trying to get my bearings, but I'm not much of a gamer. I'd rather be out doing something productive than sitting around on a computer.

[ganymed]

Are you used to seeing male dancers?

[ He hears the tinge of disappointment there. If he met so many already, it'd make sense, though...

But, it's fine. Ganymede is the best one for certain (lmao), soooo the other ones don't matter. He does add the next pointedly: ]

Basically you signed up because you were bored, then.

[weaseled]

Didn't say that. I'm just saying I'd prefer to see more women around.

[That's why it's only a tinge of disappointment as opposed to a deluge. Yael's batted for the home team on a few occasions. It's no biggie and he admits to it casually.]

That's the thing: I didn't sign up at all. I got an email offering me a beta key, so I took it. Isn't that what happened to you?

[ganymed]

[ At that, he snorts. Well, he's certain there's bound to be more female dancers around to be seen. ]

Eh...I'm sure you'll see whatever kind of eye candy as you like on the other end soon too.

[ It's nice not to have people salivate over his appearance, though. He's been taking that in so much stride. With avatars, he doesn't stick out, even looking like this. ]

That's what happened to me as well, yes. I'm not really the kind of person who games all that often. I wonder if someone didn't pay attention when they were sending those emails out...

[weaseled]

[No? Stop?? He feels like a creep for even entertaining the idea of ogling digital titty. The last thing he needs is another guy encouraging him to do just that. He's not a degenerate, Ganymede!]

Seriously, why are they sending out invitations to a bunch of people who don't even care about their beta test? This is a big company. They could've invited anyone they wanted, but instead, half the people here couldn't care less.

[Himself included.]

[ganymed]

[ Maybe it was Ganymede's exact plan to make the other feel like that. Either way, have fun (?) ]

I guess they're also lucky, aren't they?

[ Because somehow, it worked........ ]

[weaseled]

[So in other words, Ganymede is a pervert? Goddamn, there are too many of those on this damn game. Yael wants out, let him leave..............]

Lucky? How?

[ganymed]

[ His face is too innocent to be a pervert...

Either way, Yael has made his bed. Time to lie in it. ]

Because there's a wider pool of people to test things out, isn't there?

[weaseled]

[Hm. Citation needed.]

I guess so. It's not just going to be top gamers who play this game. I guess they'd want the opinion of normal folks too.

[ganymed]

[ w o w o w o w ]

And with success riding on both veteran and normal folks' opinions, hopefully the other sets of equipment look at least a bit more nicer.

[weaseled]

We can only hope.

[Still........................ He narrows his eyes and squints at Ganymede.]

What's your definition of "nicer"? I'm not sure I trust it.

[Wow. Wow!!]

[ganymed]

[ WOW X2 ]

Oh and why wouldn't you?

[ Decided not to answer the question just yet..... ]

[weaseled]

It's your vibes. They're totally off.

[wow Wow WOW]

[ganymed]

[ Wow to the ∞ power ]

My vibes are off?

Is that another way for saying you can't handle them?

[ As if that is really the case!! ]

[weaseled]

More like I'm choosing not to handle them.

[Except he arguably is since they're still here engaging in conversation...]

[ganymed]

[ That they are..... ]

I'm sure that this basic conversation means you're making an attempt to handle them, at the least.

[weaseled]

Suppose so. We're stuck occupying the same space, aren't we? I've got to make some attempt to get along with you.

[or something................. Yael says this, but he smirks, turns on his heel, and begins walking away. ?????]