⬣//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

ii - time to party;

[ganymed]

[ ..... Looking at Fai like he is not amused at all. ]

Oops, is it?

[fluorite]

It is!

[ He shoots his gun again, hitting Ganymede square in the face. Hope he likes having his face feel wet! ]

[ganymed]

Wha-

[ The loudest, undignified yelp as his hands scramble up to try to defend himself, but alas, far too slow to keep from getting sprayed in the face. He's sinking like the titanic (okay, no.) ]

Hey! You did that absolutely on purpose!

[ No shit sherlock. ]

[fluorite]

You caught me~

[ He aims his water gun again. ]

I did it on purpose the other times too.

[ganymed]

[ He sees the way he's aiming that gun again. ]

Don't you dare...!

[ Ganymede scrambles on over to the table with weapons, and then snatches up a nerf gun before dropping it.

...Then he clumsily picks it up again, whirling around to point it at Fai.

Then he drops it again. ]

Damnit!

[ Riperoni, Ganymede ]

[fluorite]

[ Fai laughs softly, watching the comedy act in front of him unfold. Wow, he doesn't even need to shoot again!

This really is free entertainment. ]

Wow, you're cute.

[ganymed]

[ There goes the nerf gun droppage again because of that comment. Thanks, Fai... ]

Will you say the same thing now if I do this?!

[ Ganymede picks it up and aims...

Shoots. Right over his shoulder. How did he do that? Good thing he's not a Steam gunner or something, god. ]

[fluorite]

[ He holds back a loud laugh at that, his hand coming up to cover his mouth for a brief moment. ]

Yes, yes I would.

[ganymed]

[ THIS IS NOT HELPING HIS (OWN) CAUSE ]

Just give me a second and let's see if you'd be laughing by the end of this...

[ He's going to get used to this eventually.

But he starts firing at Fai. His aiming is lousy but this time he's going for the chest area so his...spread isn't too far. ]

[fluorite]

[ Fai cuts him some slack and stands still so he can fire more easily. ]

Not bad! Your aim could be a little bit better, but I can tell you're improving.

[ganymed]

[ He hit him!!

... Pause. ]

Good, that's how it should be.

[ ... ]

Try moving now! I'm sure I could shoot you.

[ Or at least, Ganymede already thinks so. But he's aiming again. ]

[fluorite]

Alright! Go!

[ He starts swaying side to side. Will Ganymede manage to get him...? ]

[ganymed]

Got it!

[ He shoots...misses twice, but then aims at his feet instead and manages to get a leg. ]

Hey, did you just see that?

[fluorite]

[ You know what? Better than expected! Fai stops swaying so that he can clap. ]

Good work~ Seems like you're learning.

[ganymed]

[ Taking this a little bit in stride once he weighs whether or not it's serious, but he's proud of his own abilities and that matters too. ]

Well, I guess that's to be expected. I'm a quick learner.

[ Kinda. But he is in the fields he focused in and that is what matters!! ]

[fluorite]

Show me more of that quick learning then.

[ He draws his water gun again and aims at Ganymede. Will he hit Fai first? ]

[ganymed]

I will!

[ Refusing to give in, he's aiming, and then he fires first!

Practice makes perfect, though, so...it's a close call but the nerf dart misses just barely the side of Fai's face. He got too nervous and fired too far up and just off-center again, unfortunately. ]

...Damnit!

[fluorite]

[ Oh.

He thought he was going to get hit in the face for sure. Fai looks back at where the dart eventually hits the wall before turning back to Ganymede. ]

Not bad, though.

[ganymed]

[ Not yet, he thinks. He takes the comment decently, but also...Ganymede is the type of person who needs to succeed to earn it.

But Ganymede is pretty stubborn, and so reorienting his aim again, he fires off another shot, towards — and hitting — the other blond's chest. ]

There!

[fluorite]

Ah!

[ It feels like a strange thump to his chest, and he looks down at his chest before looking back up at Ganymede. ]

Good work. You really went in for the kill.

[ganymed]

[ Resting the nerf gun confidently on a shoulder as if he is a veteran of warfare (which he is Not.) ]

Thanks...I did.

...You had good aim before. Are you used to playing games like this? Or just playing around?

[fluorite]

Playing around! I spent a bit of time on my own just learning how to aim the water and nerf guns.

[ He wanted to be fully prepared before he started terrorizing people. ]

[ganymed]

...Right.

Well, I guess I have you to thanks for learning how to aim better.

So, I'll be going now.

[ He will turn around to begin to leave. He's attended the party as much as he'd like and had his share of party fun.

Which I guess also means he will bring along his water gun with him too...look, maybe it will be useful somewhere else in case someone else in the future has the same idea to start a party outside of the party... ]

[fluorite]

[ Does he think that someone might be Fai...?

But as Ganymede starts to leave, Fai shoots him a friend request. ]

See you around!

[ganymed]

[ It could be!!

...

Request accepted. ]