⬣//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]

Ah. A noble cause.

[ He wonders if Fandaniel might have a personal connection to that cause, but there's no way in hell he's going to ask something personal like that. ]

It must be difficult finding your ideal job, then. That's a difficult bar to clear.

[trollophoroi]

The ethics and legality are still so questionable, so, alas, yes. The bar is incredibly high.

[ There is a story behind the interest, but, just as Fai won't ask, Fandaniel isn't about to tell. ]

I suppose if I lowered my standards, I could find somewhere in the US that might lead to such research.

[fluorite]

[ Fai bites back a laugh. ]

Mm... if you're really worried about ethics, I'd try just about anywhere else.

[trollophoroi]

Mm, well, I did say I could lower my standards after all.

[ Hence why he brought up the US. Ethics and legality aren't anything he cares about, in truth, though he weighed admitting that against not and leaving it unsaid won out. ]

[fluorite]

I didn't think you actually would!

[ Whether or not Fai is judging him for that, however... it's hard to tell. ]

I'm sure you could find a position that pays well, should you pursue it earnestly.

[trollophoroi]

Good pay matters less to me than getting to do what I truly desire to be doing. Although, that said, I do get a very good wage where I am currently...

[ Taking that fat government check and all. ]

[fluorite]

Benefits too, right? What kind of benefits do they have where you live?

[ Come on, tell him all about those government benefits. ]

[trollophoroi]

Well, yes. Benefits, too.

[ But what do they have where he lives? It's better than the US by a long shot, he knows that, and so he takes a moment to drink and tally them up in his head first. ]

The usual? Nothing too strange. Healthcare is already supplied for everyone. I get bonuses, paid leave, national holidays, a pension, long-term care, retirement, and so on.

[fluorite]

[ He lets out a long sigh. ]

That's a lot better than what we have. If I ever plan to move, maybe I'll consider going to where you are. [ Fai pauses. ] In a very different department, of course.

[trollophoroi]

You would have nearly all the same benefits anywhere in Tokyo, not just with a government office.

[ Would they even hire Fai without an assload of paperwork? A mystery even to Fandaniel. ]

Have you ever visited?

[fluorite]

I haven't had a chance to. I hope to use attending a conference as an excuse to visit someday.

[ But he's just a student and doesn't make a whole lot of money just yet. ]

[trollophoroi]

You will need particularly good luck to convince anyone to pay for a conference trip that far away, I fear. The US is just so much cheaper to hold them in.

[ Will he offer to let Fai couch surf on a Tokyo trip? Heck no, the tiny living area of his tiny apartment is home to his computer rig and his snake's regularly expanding enclosure, 100% unfit for human living. ]

[fluorite]

[ He huffs out a big, dramatic sigh. ]

Boo... It's a real shame. I miss traveling, but it's so expensive on a student salary.

[trollophoroi]

I can imagine. It may be worth saving up for if you particularly enjoy massive, crowded cities that never truly sleep or shut down.

[ He's been there, done that. He decides to polish off his old fashioned and the drink, all used up, bips away into non-existence like the other glasses have. From his inventory next comes... a Margarita, which is extra silly considering how unwieldy those glasses often are, to have it simply appear. ]

[fluorite]

[ Wow, does he have an extra? Margaritas are in the top three of Fai's favorite drinks.

But he's fine with this Old Fashioned, especially when he takes a sip and feels the burn in the back of his throat. ]

I do, actually. I like going out at night and seeing all the lights and people going about their lives.

[trollophoroi]

[ He does! But Fai would have to ask and Fandaniel won't offer another while he's still working through the Old Fashioned. As for himself, he's beginning to feel the heady buzz of alcohol, though it won't stop him from sipping at his Margarita. ]

Did you know I only ever try these when I'm state-side? [ It's such a silly drink, the Margarita. ] Hmm. If that's your thing... I've never been sure if it's mine. It's so crowded, but also so fascinating, how so many crammed together in one sprawling mass of metal, concrete, and glass.

[fluorite]

I like the energy that seeing everyone and everything come together brings me.

[ He's by no means an extrovert, but exciting scenes lift his mood up like no other. But, ah. The margarita. ]

Do you try them because you can order whatever you like in the states?

[trollophoroi]

Hm, because I can order whatever I want...

[ Now that's a thought. He gives a laugh and raises his glass towards Fai as if toasting him. ]

You may be onto something there. I am free to drink anything as a mere tourist!

[fluorite]

[ He laughs, and Fai clinks their drinks together for the hell of it. ]

That you are! I hope you order the most ridiculous drink you can think of next time you travel.

we can probably wrap up here

[trollophoroi]

Any drink in the US qualifies as ridiculous, so you know that'll be exactly what I do.

[ Large cokes, have you seen the size of them there? Wild. ]

Ah well. To ridiculous drinks... and to seeing just how much trouble we get up to in the beta!

[ And from that point, it'll be drinking and idle chatter. Fandaniel will never really go beyond the topics of the conferences, drinks, science, and, of course, Fragment. Whenever they run out of booze, he'll simply sort through his inventory for the next set. It's practically limitless here at the opening party! ]