⬣//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

[dapples]

newbie alert.

[ Since Brambles has only just entered the world of MMOs, he doesn't have the greatest understanding of which weapons are considered good or powerful. Being presented with any kind of weapon is intriguing to him, and he picks up one of the plainest staffs you've ever seen, smiling with awe as he takes a good look. ]

Wow. These are really cool! [ No, they aren't. ]

party time.

[ Oh, bless sweet Brambles. Here he is, equipped in a costume that felt appropriate enough for a party. He entertained the idea of drinking some video game "alcohol" without realising that it's ... actually making him drunk. He's not a lightweight by any measure, but after a few drinks, he's definitely tipsy. He can be heard giggling to himself, eager to chat with anyone else who might be hovering around the drinks too. ]

Technology is moving so far ahead, I can't even believe it...! I actually feel a little bit drunk! What is this?! [ He giggles and boogies. ] Hehehe! Wish we had a bit of Britney Spears playing. Then it would be a right party!

gun fun.

[ While he's not usually the violent type, these gun games sound really fun! Brambles can be spotted playing among paint ball guns or water guns. If you're on his team, he'll be keeping look out and practically vibrating with excitement. Who are they gonna shoot?!

But, if you're on the opposite team, and manage to shoot him, he reveals his location and laughs while either covered in paint or soaked with water. ]

Aww, haha! Good shot! You got me! [ At least he's a good sport! ]

wildcard.

[ Feel free to hmu with anything else! ]

NEWB ALERT XDDDDDDD

[weaseled]

No, they aren't.

[Just stating facts!!]

But yours looks better than mine, I guess.

[Listlessly gestures at his rusting railroad spikes...]

[dapples]

I guess our tastes are different, then!

[ He laughs. But also ... yikes! Those are some rusty lads. ]

Aww ... don't worry. I'm sure you'll get something a lot nicer really soon!

[weaseled]

You think so? Hah.

[That would require, like, running dungeons n shit. This guy seems neither rude nor overly friendly unlike the other people here, so he'll make a quiet admittance and hope his read of the guy was correct.]

I barely managed to get my weapon and armor equipped. I don't know how I'd manage a dungeon. You've gotta run those to get better stuff, right?

party time

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk wanted to try a drink, but after seeing tipsy Brambles he just puts it down. Getting drunk on pixels sounds somewhat embarrassing, so that's a hard pass. ]

I wish we had actual spears here instead.

[ This small talk is going great. Maybe it's for the best to keep an eye on this guy before he wanders off the city grounds and gets his ass kicked by a monster. ]

[dapples]

[ HE HAS MISUNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT ]

Oh my god! You're right! Could you imagine if actual Britney Spears just walked in? That would be amazing!

[regressive]

[ NOT HIM MISUNDERSTANDING THE ASSIGNMENT ]

You can ask the game creators for a collaboration with her. But I meant actual spears.

[ He's trying to get his point across again... ]

party time

[fluorite]

[ Fai is trying to moderate his own drinking pace, but he's certainly starting to feel it a little bit himself. His head spinning, he laughs at Brambles' antics. ]

I wonder if someone could play it loudly enough on their stereo that we would hear it through the microphone...

[dapples]

That might work! But it also might sound as if it's being played through a tin can ...

[ Still, how can they afford to be picky? ]

newbie alert

[tinged]

They are! [ hani nods eagerly. ] And look at all our choices - doesn't this feel like the start of one of those adventures?

[ y'know, those adventures! ]

[dapples]

Oh, yeah! Some kind of adventure! Like one you might read in a story book!

[ He loves books! ]

gun fun

[dissimulative]

[ He peeks out from his hiding place when Brambles reveals his location and. Hm. Dude, you good? ]

You're not gonna shoot?

[ There's no honor in paintball, apparently. ]

[dapples]

Of course! I just need to find something to aim for!

[ Everyone else is really good at hiding ... ]

newbie alert

[rosehecate]

They are very interesting!

[Anthy speaks up mostly because Bramble seems like the only person who is also enthused about this generous gift of equipment in her vicinity. She's not really used to that? But this is a game with people who don't know her, and she wants to make an attempt! So, she'll hold up her Travel Pamphlet in comparison.]

I didn't know these could be used to cast spells in games.

[dapples]

[ He looks over with interest! ]

Wow, can they? That's something I didn't know either!

gun fun

[tot]

[ tragically they're not ongoing to be on the same team so apologies to brambles as he ends up getting shot by a water gun. especially consider the person shooting him has decided to dress up as something far more distracting. ]

Thanks!

[ now excuse her as she ducks and hides behind something as to not get hit herself. ]

You weren't easy to pin down.

[dapples]

[ he laughs! then attempts to hide as well. (but he does a bad job.) ]

I'm surprised you've avoided so many hits! You're so ... [ ROUND ]

Gun Fun

[legendofthelion]

[It's like a mini event, so of course Dehya eventually gives in to the thrill of running around with a paint gun. She lets out a triumphant laugh as she tags Brambles.] You'll have to be faster than that!

[She raises a paint gun, aiming at Brambles again. He better dodge before she pulls the trigger.]

[dapples]

[ Oof! He got hit again! A bright purple splodge right in the chest. ]

Ahahaha! Oh, no! [ He runs for cover, shielding himself with his gun! ] I'm absolutely rubbish at this game!

wildcard

[tablescraps]

( Brambles receives a notification for a friend request!

If he looks at the sender's name, he'll notice it's from a Mithrun1, aka a guy in an event skin like so (mask up, like a fascinator, and not over his face) standing like 5 feet away from him at the party.

He appears to be staring at Brambles expectantly, with no apparent explanation as to why he's sending a friend request. )

[dapples]

[ Oh! A friend request! Well, how can he possibly decline? He pushes accept! Brambles glances around upon accepting, trying to identify the person. When he spots Mithrun, he approaches with a wave and a smile. ]

Hi! Thanks for adding me, that was nice of you!

party time

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector isn't actually paying much attention at first, just busying himself with trying out the food while sipping on his mediocre wine. But the funny accent does grab his peripheral attention, as does the mention of Britney Spears...

And when he looks up and sees the costume?

Ah-ha. gay alert. ]

They probably couldn't get the rights to it. [ He's not looking at Brambles, instead picking out nuts from the tray. ]

But you're right. [ He stands up, pops them in his mouth, and finally looks over. ] It'd be better with Britney.

[dapples]

[ GAY ALERT ]

Haha, you get me! [ Brambles takes another sip of his mystery drink. ]

Nice to meet you! Are you new here too?

party time!

[curvaceous]

[ You know, seeing someone so tipsy is making her want to drink, too. Kara watches Brambles for a moment before she reaches over and grabs a drink of her own. ]

Britney Spears?

[ Looks like she's grabbed some tequila... She'll go ahead and take a shot before she puts her empty shot glass back onto the tabletop. ]

Alright, what's your favorite song of hers?

[dapples]

[ What a good question...! ]

Ooooh! Wow, let's have a think ... [ he rubs his chin. ] "I'm A Slave 4 U" is such a good one!