⬣//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

ia.

[ophidie]

[She has enough time to stand there, shielding her eyes, to ponder what on earth this man is doing before Mithrun plummets back to said earth like a stone. And when he does fall, it takes her a moment to actually lower her gaze, still looking at the skybox as if there's something up there before slowly, silently turning her gaze to the pile on the ground. Whether she's just shocked or trying to downplay the fact that she jumped and squeaked very loudly when he splatted there is a mystery.]

This has to be the dumbest thing I've seen someone attempt in-game yet. [No offense. The character labeled 'Scitalis' on her profile crouches by the crumpled figure.]

You left all of your settings on, didn't you? ... This world feels like it shouldn't have any consequences, but it actually does. [The shock of falling doesn't go away immediately. Though Miharu doesn't ask if he's okay directly, she is staring contently in what may be concern.]

[tablescraps]

( The figure doesn't make much sound except rasping breaths, like the brain's convinced its ribs are skewered through the lungs. Despite this, he seems to slowly be regaining some awareness that his body is, technically, fine. It's not an easy path, though.

It takes some few moments before he manages a reply, and, even then, it's strained: )

... I... expected to burn up, first...

( You know, via sun. So apparently, pain was on the menu either way. )

[ophidie]

That's not better. You know that, right? It's not.

[Miharu frowns. Though she's mostly just flabbergasted at the unhinged display, it's important to keep the playtest's purpose in mind. This entire time, she's been staunchly reminding herself that the game has no bearing on reality for all that it feels real. It must just be that her tolerance for antics persists.]

I guess I should be relieved they didn't think it was worth it to put a real atmosphere that will incinerate people into their game.

[Miharu is silent for a few moments, as if weighing the possibility of just getting up and walking away to leave him to his testing. It doesn't matter much to her how he ended up with the ability to fly, even if it's a hack rather than a dungeon reward, and, remember...no bearing on reality. At least while he's processing, she decides to stick around.]

I'd try moving a little bit at a time.

[tablescraps]

( The advice lands, at least: though not immediate, there comes. after a few moments, a sign of his arm more pointedly twitching; then, movement.

He takes it slow, every muscle an ache, but gradually his brain is realizing he's... not actually injured, somehow. He seems to start to try to push himself up onto an elbow, so he's at least not talking from the ground. )

... Who are... you?

( He doesn't seem defensive or afraid, or anything; he just seems to finally realize there's more company here than his tangibly bad decisions. )

[ophidie]

Another player. [She gestures at the Root Town around them. It's obvious, but she might as well cut him some slacking, knowing how disorienting a world he must be in now.] My name here is Scitalis. [For the briefest of moments, Miharu almost gave her real given name. What a lucky save. Perhaps this is disorienting for her as well, handling a crisis situation that doesn't mean anything.]

Say, do you know where you are? Can you tell me your name? [She's not completely unfamiliar with the types of questions they ask people after an incident. Falling from the top of the sky is more extreme than real-world counterparts, and if he'd really taken a fall of this nature, he shouldn't be moving at all, but the brain only has so many ways to process something.]

[tablescraps]

... Morgan...

( Miharu gets Mithrun's name, his real name, and very obviously not the username on his avatar's profile. He's gotten himself mostly sorta up into a sit by now, and he just seems woozy by now instead of in active agony. Progress! )

... And this is Mac Anu... Right? I was testing to see how far... I could fly up. Beyond the walls, is just... lines of code. But not up.

( Up does not have visible lines of code, the way the out of bounds zone beyond the eyeline of Mac Anu's walls does. He was intrigued. )

[ophidie]

[Hm. Troubling. She still hasn't quite mastered controlling which movements and reactions register in the virtual reality system and which ones don't, so occasionally even the emotions that Miharu tries to mask manage to jump out. This time, however, she manages to keep herself from visibly reacting to receiving personal information.]

That's right. I assume you hit the ceiling. [If there's anything up there they aren't meant to see, it's probably hidden behind whatever wall stopped his ascent. Miharu can't help but spare a glance up, but the sky over Mac Anu looks the same as ever. The only thing that surprises her is how high it seems to go, based on how he plummeted.]

So you also remember you're in a video game? This is just a simulation.

[tablescraps]

... It is. But the pain is real enough.

( He reaches up to press a palm to his forehead... He no longer feels like a creature of pain. Just a creature of a really bad headache. )

Though I've never fallen from that height in real life. Have you?

[ophidie]

...

[She takes a moment to answer.]

No, I haven't. I don't think anyone has that could tell us about the experience, either. That might be in your favor, but I'm sure you're still feeling it plenty. [If there's no real data on what it feels like to survive a fall from that height, it's probably hard to make happen in the game, right?]

Might wanna walk around outside the game a bit once you're ready.

[tablescraps]

It's excessively painful. But I'll be fine.

( Despite his rejection, he understands, on an objective level, she's concerned. )

This is part of beta testing, after all.

[ophidie]

[It's a refusal of her advice, but she doesn't look too bothered. He can act however suits himself; it doesn't affect Miharu either way. Since Morgan(?) seems to be gradually recovering, she rises from her crouching position, leaning some of her weight on her weapon where it's tilted against the ground.]

That line seems a little blurry when it comes to actually getting hurt. [She signed her waiver just like everyone else - Miharu knows the liability was communicated.] I hope you won't be sending in something like "didn't incinerate in the atmosphere."

[tablescraps]

( If he had a sense of humor, he'd snort at that. Alas, )

If the goal is immersion, it does seem to break it. There are underwater pathways in the canals, too, but invisible walls prevent you from entering them. That also seems to detract from the "immersive" experience.

( stays chillin on the ground for no particular reason; at the very least, he doesn't seem like he intends to get up, even as he recovers. )

[ophidie]

[Oh. Hm. He does intend to do something like that. Maybe he hit his head...? Miharu skillfully avoids asking any questions about whether it's possible to drown in those canals. Some curiosities probably should be left unsated.]

Come on. They want to give us an immersive experience, but there's no way they intend to replicate things that far.

[He can chill on the ground as long as he deems necessary; she's not making any moves to rush him to his feet, either.]

Past a certain threshold it wouldn't be enjoyable... Like why people speak differently in movies. You didn't land on your head, right? [Just in case.]

[tablescraps]

I did.

( Like, when he fell to the ground. )

But I had these opinions before I fell. ( So, you know. ) Why not allow for underwater tunnels, but replicate the experience of pain? Shouldn't their priority be the opposite way around?

[ophidie]

Oh. [She does flinch a little, learning that. That he's left with no visible damage from the impact is probably a good thing. Once again, Miharu's not sure they'd know to put someone back together after such a fall.]

My best guess? The environment has to be fixed because interesting with it in a more nuanced way could affect other things. A broken water tunnel could flood an entire town, for example.

... Still. [The rest of his point still gives her pause.] It's pretty weird to emphasize realistic pain over some other things. I guess that's human nature.

[tablescraps]

To prefer pain over other experiences? Or, to be able to estimate it better?

( The question is genuine. )

[ophidie]

Do you prefer pain? [Likewise, this isn't asked with the same judgment some of his other unusual antics.]

I think painful things stick with us longer. We notice them. You might even say they make us who we are.

[Someone's likely to remember that a game knew how to slap them in the face better than that it knew how to paint an uninterrupted vista.]

[tablescraps]

I don't prefer anything. Pain is just more common.

( At least, here. )

... I suppose that's true. Good things become rote eventually. Pain can stay uniquely fresh for longer, in comparison.

( Though, eventually it can wear someone down... Eventually. )

People become insatiable for good things because they're more fleeting in feeling.

[ophidie]

Huh. [That's not what most people would say - it's unlikely the average person would admit to preferring pain, let alone not distinguishing much between feelings.

It's undoubtedly weird, but this is one way in which she has little impulse to tell him how to live his life otherwise.]

A happy memory is pretty hard to hold onto, [Miharu agrees instead.] Yet people undoubtedly want to have them. I'm not any different... and yet I still find it more remarkable that this program knows how to tell me what it's like to be cut.