Tales of Woot: November 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Player 6: Minecraft Hierarchy of Needs

Before I started playing Minecraft I think I had the same reaction many people did. "What's the point?" Well, of course, the point is you can do whatever you want.

Above is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs but it could just as easily be the Minecraft Hierarchy of Needs. If you want to do the fun stuff, you've got to take care of the basics first.

So my time on Woot was spent taking care of the physiological and safety needs so that people after me can do the fun stuff.

The most basic Minecraft need: food.

There were a handful of mushrooms of each kind so I used the huge mushroom technique to make a 64 of each and a dozen stews. Got the wheat farm back up to full speed. Left three 64s of wheat, a couple dozen bread, and a 64 of seeds. I left the wheat field freshly harvested and planted so it's not incumbent on the next person to harvest right away. And, of course, I used the campsite rule on the rest of the supplies too gathering more wood, iron, and stone etc than I consumed.

The next most basic Minecraft need: shelter.

This is what I spawned into:

The inner most house in the onion was nothing but a few bits of glass and wood. The next layer is some birch and fence but no doors. And even the cobblestone layer has it's doors wide open and doesn't completely encircle the area. But hey! Torches!

So I went through and closed all the doors and built out the cobblestone wall a bit over the swamp to make it harder for mobs to get around. They still can but not as easily. There were some gaps in the cactus line which I also filled in, but preserved along with the reeds. The fence line had a whole wall missing which I rebuilt as well as adding doors in gaps, and cleaning up some intersections where mobs might have been able to jump over. The inner house area I completely rebuilt in stone brick to avoid any, ahem, lightning mishaps in the future.

It's not perfect. Some sections of the outer cobblestone wall are still jumpable for spiders. And walkers can make it into the swamp past the cobblestone wall. But it'd take a very determined creeper and pals to make it through the stone brick house. But. Just to be safe. I thought it'd make it unlikely that mobs would even spawn near the fort.

Let there be light!

I placed torches throughout the fort as well as in a healthy permitter around the fort. Once that was done I didn't encounter and mobs in or even near the fort. Not saying it's perfect but it certainly takes care of the safety part of the hierarchy of needs such that the next few people shouldn't be overly concerned. Though I tried not to go too torch crazy since we need mobs for drops, so it's only about a 30 second walk to get out of the torch perimeter.

But, hey. Maybe the next person will destroy all my efforts. That is their prerogative. Though if they do then they won't get any of the three cakes I made for them. They're great. So delicious and moist...

Friday, November 11, 2011

Player 6: Fort Onion

Wanting a fresh take on the world, I've been abstaining from reading the blog till I had a few hours with the world. This is my first post without having read up on everyone else's posts.

"Sarah, I am sorry. I am sorry for what I have done to the world you are inheriting."

--ShauvonM

When I saw this email I expected the worst. Spawning on a precipice over a lava pit, some sort of piston filled torture chamber, or stranded at the top of a spire.

But nope. I spawned into a weird little fort.

I call it Fort Onion. I suppose it's exactly what I should have expected. This is, after all, a single player world file that's been passed from person to person, with each making their own alterations and improvements. Each person outgrowing the last person's area. Except they're all... sort of terrible. I feel bad for whoever made the innermost home. Lots of glass and bookshelves but no walls left whatsoever. I'd like to hope lightning got it but probably not. And the outter two layers of the onion aren't much better. I just took that screenshot now, but when I spawned that nearest wall of spruce and fencing wasn't there, it was just 3 sides. And the cobblestone doesn't completely encircle the area either. The left hand side has some reeds and cactus instead and the whole right side is open to the swamp. Creepers, spiders, and skeletons regularly make their way inside. Plus, when I spawned, all the doors in the cobblestone were wide open! Everything is a a total sty. What a bachelor pad.

So my first few hours in world were spent tidying up. Closing doors, patching creeper holes in the walls, moving around torches to help stop monsters spawning inside. But I don't see any chests. There have to be chests somewhere. My friends may be lazy and sadistic but they are OCD about chests.

I peek down a dark staircase in the middle of Fort Onion. A zombie groans up at me as the sunlight fries him. What, are we suffering from a dearth of torches? I grab some from the oddly concentrated clustering near spawn and head down.

A dozen chests all neatly labeled greet me. Whew. I dart around and slap up torches in the oddly unlit storage basement. I peek my head in the wheat farm to find it fallow and the food chest empty. Bachelor pad indeed. I plant what few seeds are left.

There's only a handful of each type of mushroom and it seems like someone's earlier mushroom famring efforts are a bust.

Looks like no one knew about or bothered with the huge mushroom farming trick. I get some stews whipped up and head out for some exploring. The giant arrow in the middle of Fort Onion beacons me to head west so I load up on stew and head off.

A few minutes trek takes me to this vista. Is someone from Montana?

A bit underwhelmed with my immediate surroundings I head back to Fort Onion. I set myself to wheat harvesting wondering what the hell my friends have been doing the past few weeks when I hear it. A terrible wailing coming from underneath the wheat farm.

Oh. Oh, okay. That's more like it.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Player 5: Is There in Truth no Truth? (pt 4)

Last time, on Tales of Woot

And now, the conclusion . . .

Captain's Log, Stardate six one six five six point six. I have been stranded. After a routine mission analyzing a globular cluster in the Caldora sector, I decided to give my crew a day to relax and catch up on some much needed R&R. I took the opportunity to try out a new Holodeck program I found recently, recreating the late-twentieth century phenomenon known as "Battlebots." However, the Holodeck malfunctioned, causing my ship, the U.S.S. Bozeman, to be overwhelmed with killer robots. My chief engineer decided to, rather cleverly, solve the problem using the ship's transporter, to beam me out of the dangerous area of the ship. However, since we were so close to the R-415 Globular Cluster, excess epsilon radiation overwhelmed our tertiary field grid, and I woke up here, on this unknown world.

It is a picturesque world, full of gentle hillsides and unassuming foliage. I have no way of knowing exactly what planet this is, however, so I must be careful.

I seem to be in good shape. I am still in the period clothes I was wearing in the Holodeck, so I do not have access to my com-badge or tricorder. As a result, I am committing this log entirely to my memory, as I was trained to do in the Academy. Duty dictates that I am not caught without having taken a log of the proceedings. Still, something about my condition feels . . . strange.

I am standing in some sort of ruins. Whatever civilization existed here must be gone now. Strangely, the ground is scattered with small torches, each seeming to burn endlessly. Someone must have been here before me.

Whoever it was, they must have been quite afraid of the dark. A moderately comfortable bed sits in the middle of the torches, apparently meant to be in some relative safety. Darkness on this world must contain some level of danger.

In addition to the torches, someone built a large arrow out of wood.

The arrow is pointing toward some large mountains in the distance. Something tells me I should follow where this arrow leads. As a Starfleet Officer, my first duty was to follow that arrow.

I found a small cave outside the walls around the ruins. Perhaps this was where the arrow was meant to lead me.

However, the entrance to the cave contained another arrow. Whoever was here before me wanted me to continue heading to the mountains on the horizon.

Upon getting closer to the mountains, I noticed that more ruins were constructed atop them. Were these relics of an ancient society, or the work of a lone individual?

A long, uniform staircase led to the top of the nearest mountain. My curiosity mounted as I ascended.

The view from atop was beautiful. I could see all the way to the torch camp I found myself in to begin with.

A long bridge connected one mountain top with the other. More of the strange torches led along the path. I followed them. Perhaps this was the work of one lone explorer, stranded here like me. I was following his breadcrumbs.

I found another arrow on the other side of the bridge. If only all explorations were this easy. I couldn't help but think back on my Academy days, under many excellent professors like the great Professor Data. They prepared me well for my adventures here. So far, I haven't encountered anything that would tax my Starfleet knowledge.

A grassy knoll was at the top of the mountain. It was a peaceful, gentle spot. A perfect place to sit and reflect. I had to know what was on the other side, though. Someone wanted me to know.

As I came over the crest, I could see a large desert starting to appear on the other side. I couldn't see any other constructions, or clues to lead me farther on my journey.

I stepped closer to the edge of the cliff face. And then . . .

It all started to become clear. Images flashed before me. Great wooden structures - strange signs - dangerous monsters that explode in my face. This world, this strange world, was my world. I had been here before. It was my trail leading me here, my clues bringing me to this great realization. It was a message . . . from myself. It all made sense now. I could understand it. "BOZEMAN." The name of my ship, etched out in wood and the very torches that led me here.

I climbed down the mountain, and found my way to the wooden letters. There, scattered around them were artifacts of my trials here. The items I gathered and lost in my quest to send myself a message. I do not know how I managed to figure it all out, or how many times I had died in this world while trying to lead myself here, or, for that matter, how many times I had come to this very point to reach this same realization.

This world and I were - are - linked. Somehow, when I die, I just return to that place beyond the mountains, rejuvenated and fresh, with no memory of what came before. I do not know how I got here, or if I ever will - ever can - escape.

No, that's not right. I remember, now. The transporter accident didn't beam me off the ship - it beamed me into the ship. I became a part of the ship itself, somehow melding with the computer. This world, then, was just some representation of my consciousness inside the Bozeman's memory banks. I understand. I can sense my crew, working in the ship - in me. They are trying to restore my transporter pattern, to recover me from my current fate.

Everything will be okay. My time in this software purgatory will not be much longer. I have faith in my crew. I have faith in the Starfleet training they have received. They should have me out of here in no time. As long as that house I burned down wasn't a manifestation of some key component of the ship's computer, that is . . .

This world is quite beautiful in its own way. Perhaps, even, relaxing. I shall try to send my Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Barnes, a message.

"Take your time," I'll say, "I'm doing just fine." I can use the rest.

Why, what's this creature headed toward me?

OK, MR. BARNES I'M READY TO COME OUT NOW!

THE END.

Player 5: Wooden Dagger of the Mind (pt 3)

Last time, on Tales of Woot

And now, the continuation . . .

Captain's Log, Stardate four seven nine oh six point three. I have been stranded. After a routine mission analyzing a globular cluster in the Caldora sector, I decided to give my crew a day to relax and catch up on some much needed R&R. I took the opportunity to try out a new Holodeck program I found recently, recreating the late-twentieth century phenomenon known as "Battlebots." However, the Holodeck malfunctioned, causing my ship, the U.S.S. Bozeman, to be overwhelmed with killer robots. My chief engineer decided to, rather cleverly, solve the problem using the ship's transporter, to beam me out of the dangerous area of the ship. However, since we were so close to the R-415 Globular Cluster, excess epsilon radiation overwhelmed our tertiary field grid, and I woke up here, on this unknown world.

It is a picturesque world, full of gentle hillsides and unassuming foliage. I have no way of knowing exactly what planet this is, however, so I must be careful.

I am standing in some sort of ruins. Whatever civilization existed here must be gone now. The faint smell of smouldering wood was in the air, though it might have just been a regular scent in this world's atmosphere. This was an interesting world. Of course, as a Starfleet Officer, my primary duty was to explore this place and find out what I could learn.

Near the ruins a spiral staircase was leading underground. I hoped that I could find some secrets to this world somewhere below. I carefully followed the stairs.

The stairs led to a small tunnel, lit with torches. Perhaps this ruin wasn't so deserted after all. These torches certainly couldn't have been here long, considering how much they were burning.

From there I saw a most curious sight. The tunnel led to a small storage room, where two humanoid skeletons were dueling with bows and arrows. They were taking turns launching volleys at each other. I couldn't even tell if the arrows were having any effect, because the skeletons had no flesh to pierce.

However, the closer skeleton won the strange duel, and I finished him off with my hands before he could turn his weapon to me. A third skeleton was around the corner, apparently waiting to take on the winner of the duel. I dispatched it, as well.

Inside the chests were some useful looking supplies, especially if I would be facing any more animated skeletons. I decided that my safety was more important than any potential violations of the Prime Directive. This whole area seemed to be an abandoned ruin (except for my undead friends), so it was clear nobody would miss it.

I also found a supply of the torches I saw earlier, which seem to magically light themselves when placed on the ground. I knew these would come in handy, especially to keep the area lit at night.

Back on the surface, I noticed a strange cross shape inside the ruin. I realized that it was, in fact, an arrow. This must be some sort of message left to guide someone. Guide them to what? To safety? To a village of some sort? I decided the only way to find out would be to follow it.

Outside the ruins, I could see mountains looming in the distance. More ruins sat atop them. This must be where the arrow was pointing.

A long staircase led to the top of the mountain. With my bow in hand, I followed the steps up.

On top of the mountain was a large cave. Some pig-like creatures were roaming around. They looked somehow happy to see me, despite the fact that I was somewhat armed. It was almost as if they were grateful for something. They were at least a welcome sight after the encounter with murderous skeletons.

Speaking of which, another skeleton was waiting inside the cave. I quickly dispatched this one with my bow.

I dropped a torch to mark the site of my victory. I quite like using these magic torches.

The cave opened up on the side of the mountain. There was a very nice view from here.

This planet was full of strange surprises. On the cliff face outside the cave, I could see several animals perched precariously. I suppose the pig I met earlier was happy to see me because it meant he wasn't falling off the side of a mountain.

The cave grew much darker further in. Luckily I still had plenty of those torches with me.

Those torches stuck to the walls of the cave just as easily as they stick to the floor. I'll have to try to get my Chief Engineer to work up a prototype when I get back to the USS Bozeman.

Wait, what was that sound? It sounded like a spider, but it was much, much bigger. I really hope there aren't spiders here. I really, really hate spiders.

SOMETHING MOVED OH GOD SPIDERS

WHERE IS THE EXIT WHERE IS THE EXIT SPIDERS OH GOD SPIDERS

OH THANK GOD I SEE LIGHT

. . . oh right, the cliff . . .

Captain's log, stardate two seven nine one four point five.

I am standing in some sort of ruins. It is raining. I will make a log about what happened later. For now, my primary duty as a Starfleet Officer is to get out of the rain. I really hope this isn't one of those planets that's constantly raining. I am stuck in late twentieth century clothing, which is horrendously prone to soaking up water and getting really obnoxiously cold.

The ruins contain some sort of arrow built out of wood. I decided to head in the direction it pointed, hoping that it would lead to some shelter.

While heading in the direction pointed by the arrow, I saw a small cave under a tree. It would be adequate shelter where I could wait for the rain to hopefully die down.

I was finally out of the rain, but my stupid twentieth century outfit was completely soaked.

This world is rich with raw materials. Inside the cave I found a deposit of diamond. Under normal circumstances these would be absolutely priceless, but to me they were as useless as any other rock.

Elsewhere in the cave system, I found this deep shaft. I could see some lava pouring through the rock at the bottom. Perhaps my judgement was clouded by my soaking wet clothes, but it sure looked nice and cozy down there, so I decided to climb down.

Well, great. Now I am on fire. Why won't the fire go out? Why didn't the Academy teach us how to stop from being on fire? Stupid Professor Data and his big positronic ass --