Other Great Books By Terry Mayer
License Notes This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Diary of a Minecrafter is an unofficial Minecraft Adventure Book and is an original work of fan fiction that is not associated with Minecraft or Mojang/Notch. It is an unofficial work and is not sanctioned nor has it been approved by the makers of Minecraft. This Minecraft Adventure Book is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental and all the characteristics of any players mention are completely fabricated and are a figment of the author's imagination. Minecraft ®/TM & © 2009-2013 Mojang / Notch
Saturday It's almost here, selection day! I have dreamt of this day for almost 12 years and it's so close. I cannot believe that tomorrow I could be selected to attend the legendary School of Minecraft. Oh please Notch, pick me, please. Anyway, mom says I need to sleep, yeah right, as if that's going to happen! I'm so excited there is no way I am sleeping tonight. She just does not get it, but I guess it's not her fault. No one from her family has ever been chosen to go to the School of Minecraft, so she does not think that I will be chosen either. Oh, don't get me wrong, plenty of her family were chosen to go to the Overworld BS, but none since. What? Oh, ok mom, I'll try. That was mom and she says if I'm going to keep a journal then I need to explain myself better, so if someone other than Avatars read it then they will understand. Right, I'll try to explain. My name is Jeb, and I am eleven and three quarters. I am an Avatar and I live in Noobsville, a small village on the world of Minecraftia. We, the Avatars, are a blocky race of people who worship the God Of Minecraft. Oh yeah, just is case you don't know him, DUH, like that's a possibility, his name is Notch.
For many years we have been selected at random to travel to the Overworld and battle against monsters, searching for riches and glory but no one had ever survived, before Steve. Yeah, that's how we talk, BS - Before Steve and AS - After Steve.
Anyway, Steve is everyone's hero here on Minecraftia, and one day I'm going to be just like him. Who is Steve? You are kidding right. Steve is like the greatest Avatar that ever lived. He changed everything on Minecraftia, the way we live, the way we think, I mean everything.
Ok, ok, I promised I would explain, so here goes. Like I said, each year at the choosing ceremony, Avatars were chosen at random to go to the Overworld. It was a great honor to be chosen but it also meant certain death. No one had ever survived until Steve was chosen. They say he was nothing special, just a normal Avatar, chosen by Notch to adventure on the Overworld, but he was special - he survived. For many years he was gone, presumed dead like all the others before him, but one glorious day - Steve Day, he returned through a portal. Yeah, weird huh, we did not even know portals existed until, poof, one day Steve stepped through one and changed everything we believed in. He told how strange and dangerous the Overworld is, but he also explained that it is possible to survive if you learn the rules. For years he had battled mobs - that's what he called the monsters - mined for treasure and built wonderful structures that defied gravity and then one day he discovered a portal that brought him home. He decided then and there to build a School,
limit the selection process to those aged between fifteen and twenty five, and teach all Avatars that are selected at the Choosing Ceremony how to survive. But how can I go to the School of Minecraft, I'm not old enough? Yeah, I guess I glossed over that small detail. Every year, thirty lucky Avatars are chosen from our village to attend the School of Minecraft, BUT, and this is the important bit, there is one extra place this year as it is a leap year and that person is chosen from the WHOLE POPULATION. That means I'm eligible, The down side is, if I don't get chosen on Sunday I will have to wait another four years before I get another chance. So that's why I'm so excited, I'm praying I will be chosen tomorrow, to attend the School of Minecraft. Sunday The Choosing Ceremony Arrghh, it's almost 10am. I can't believe I fell asleep, and even worse, I've over slept. The ceremony starts at 12 and I don't want to be late.
Ok, cool, I'm here. *deep breaths* Phew, I had to run all the way, mom kept shouting for me to slow down and wait for them but there was no way I was going to be late. If they can't move fast enough then I'll just tell them all about it after they get here. He he, oh, here they come now, maybe they are not so slow after all! Come on, come on, start already. I'm almost bursting with excitement, I can hardly hold it in. Everyone is here, all the VIP's up on the stage, just waiting for the word so we can start. ......Twenty eight people chosen already, just two more left then the leap year selection. Please, please, please pick me! And the twenty ninth chosen Avatar is..... Stalwart, son of Sam. Yay, the crowd cheered. Yeah, yeah, go Stalwart, get on with it already. And the thirtieth chosen Avatar is Adam, son of Beckley.
Ok already, GET ON WITH IT. And finally, the last honored Avatar, the special Leap Year Selection is ......Pete of Blacklake. Well done Pete, you have waited many years for this honor. The crowd went mad, cheering and clapping. Pete is a well respected member of the community and he deserves his place in this....oh who am I trying to kid? I am totally gutted. I really thought it would be me, but now I have to wait another four years, I can't believe it. I'm going to bed, I can't face writing anymore. Monday Jeb .....JEB.....JEEEBBB, wake up! What? What's going on.
That's how I was woken this morning, but really, I am not complaining, let me tell you why. I have been accepted as the final Avatar to attend the School of Minecraft!!!!! Yeah, totally awesome right? Ok, ok, I know. I was confused as well. Let me tell you what happened. As you know Pete of Blacklake was chosen as the final Avatar at yesterdays choosing ceremony, but what I neglected to tell you, because I was so upset at the time, is that Pete of Blacklake is 107! Anyway, when the village elders went to inform him that he had been honoured at the choosing ceremony he did not have a clue what they were even talking about, the poor man was bat crazy, totally mad. Ok, ok calm down, that's really not nice, sorry. But, he was disqualified from the choosing ceremony and they had to redraw a final Avatar, and guess who won? Any ideas? Maybe I'll give you a little clue, IT WAS ME!!!!!!!! I'm going to Minecraft School baby! Just two days to go, I can't believe that it's really happening. Pinch me before I wake up. Ouch, not you Dale, he's my best friend, well he was until he pinched me. Tuesday
Tomorrow, my life starts for real tomorrow. There is no way that I will be able to sleep, I'm just too excited. Bags are packed, well not really seeing as you aren't allowed to bring anything with you, but I'm ready. Wish me luck. Wednesday First day of school. How cool is this. I'm waiting in front of the gates of the SCHOOL OF MINECRAFT (sorry for shouting, but this is awesome!) with all the other Noobs. Any time now they are going to open the doors and a new school year will begin. Thought I'd write my thoughts in my journal now before it gets too hectic. Everyone is milling around, eyeing each other up, trying to see who's who. Just heard a really strange rumor. Someone said that when you graduate from the school your memory is erased, so you never remember being here, but you still know how to do everything that you learnt. Pretty weird but it sort of makes sense as no one but Steve has ever made it home.
OMG. The gates are opening, this is the moment I've waited for my whole life. BRING IT ON. The inside atrium of the School is totally awesome dude. It is huge! The ceiling is so high I can't even see it, you could probably fit my village in here a hundred times over. There are tables stretching as far as I can see and they are all laid out ready for a massive feast, I wonder who else is coming? 'Come inside Noobs, time is a wasting. Take a seat, quickly now.' The voice rumbles through the huge chamber. I couldn't see who was speaking but everyone ran to the nearest tables and sat. 'Right, wherever you are seated is now your place until you graduate or you are killed. ' Everyone laughs at this remark until the voice continues. 'Do you think I am joking? Learning to be a Player is highly dangerous and most of you Noobs will not survive, in fact you may wish to leave now and
spare yourselves the pain. ' A big guy on my left digs me in my ribs and whispers, 'you may as well beat it now kid, this is no place for someone like you,' to which he gets laughs from the rest of the table. Why did I have to sit next to him? 'So your decision is now made.' And with that comment the huge school doors slam SHUT. 'Good, then let the new intake cycle begin. Here at the School of Minecraft you will learn all the skills you need to survive in the Overworld. It will be tough and dangerous, but for those of you who survive the next few months you will graduate as a Player Avatar.' Months? How long does it take to train to be a Player. Strange, I've never really considered it before.
'Good, now that your decision to become a Player Avatar had been made, let us begin,' the voice continued. And so began my training to become the greatest Player Avatar of all time. But I'm getting ahead of myself again. Bunking Up - I'm sharing a room with three Noobs from other villages. There's Robbin Of The Hood, who we call Hoody, then there's GravyBoatThief, now known as Gravy and lastly Jakes421587, so we call him numbers. They are all so different from me, even their names seem strange, still, they seem like nice people and we are all here for the same thing.
We sat up all night chatting, no one slept, we were just Our first lesson tomorrow is how to use a crafting table. AWESOME! Thursday Crafting Skills 101 Cool. Our crafting teacher is none other than Jens of the Larrsons, the actual guy who wrote the Book Of Crafting. This is the best day of my life, EVER!
I have got to tell you this - sooo funny!!! Mr Larrson told us all to gather around the crafting table in the middle of the room and asked if anyone had ever used one before. The big guy who jabbed me in the ribs yesterday raised his hand and smirked at the teacher. 'I have.' 'Hmm, really, that seems very unlikely, and you are?' asked Mr Larrson. Looking pleased with himself, he bowed and replied arrogantly, 'Darth of the Blackheaths, sir.' 'Well Darth of the Blackheaths, your family holds no sway over the School of Minecraft, here you are just a Noob like everyone else. Now show me what you've got.' You could have knocked us all over with a feather. The Blackheaths are the most powerful family on Minecraftia and Mr Larrson just dismissed him like he was a nobody. Hang on, noooo, that's the same guy who picked on me yesterday. I just got in a fight with a Blackheath! Way to go Jeb, not even
one day in the School and you have already made an enemy with one of the most powerful people in the world! Darth strutted up to the Crafting Table like he owned the place, I don't know, his family is so rich, maybe he does. He turned and looked at Mr Larrson and asked. 'So, what do you want me to make?' 'Let's start with the basics, shall we Darth. Why don't you make me some wooden planks,' Mr Larrson replied. 'Is that it? I expected a least a suit of armor. Ok, wooden planks coming straight up.' Darth grabbed the front edge of the crafting table and tried to pull it open, no seriously, he tried to open the crafting table to get some planks. Did you get that?
The more he pulled, the more we all laughed, and the more we all laughed the harder he pulled. Mr Larrson was rolling around on the floor, holding his sides and trying to regain control. 'Class, please, calm down,' he wheezed. Darth is attempting to craft Wooden Planks, please give him the opportunity.... and that was as far as he got before another bout of uncontrollable laughter overcame him. As you can imagine, Darth did not take being laughed at too well, and he turned on all of us. 'SHUT UP,' he screamed, then he recognised me in the crowd and his eyes turned cold. *gulp* 'You, wimp, what are you laughing at?' he snarled at me. If I could have evaporated then and there I would have. 'Uh nothing,' I stuttered in reply.
'Well you better stop laughing now or I will crush you,' he growled, rapidly crossing the room and grabbing hold of my top with his huge hands. *gulp* Did I mention the size of his fists? They are massive, more like shovels than hands. As he lifted me off the floor the room went deathly quiet. Sensing a change in the atmosphere Mr Larrson struggled to his feet and brushed himself off. 'Uh, thank you for that crafting demonstration Darth, yes, quite entertaining, and put the little person down will you, there's a good lad.'
Are you kidding me. I didn't know whether to be happy that Mr Larrson saved me from a beating or upset that he had humiliated me in front of everyone. Oh man, I'll never live this down. Friday I had a great day today, no scratch that, I had a super awesome day today. Started out with breakfast in the main hall. Everyone eats at the long tables where we first sat, but get this, Darth and his cronies, Midge and Panther had been moved! Yeah, cool right? Don't know how they pulled it off but he and the other two had been moved up to the front where the teachers sit. Cool for them but SUPER AWESOME for me! Minecraft Basic Survival Skills 101 This place is awesome, yeah I know, I need to find a new word, but everything IS awesome. Our teacher for Minecraft Survival Skills is Terry of the Mayers - yeah I know right, he is the Minecraft Gaming Expert, probably the most knowledgeable minecrafter ever, well after Steve, but that's a given. He will be teaching us everything from basic survival skills such as punching trees to get wood right through to advanced minecrafting like fighting mobs. He handed out the course book for the class and it's a signed copy!
The first lesson was sooo cool. He taught us how to punch a tree correctly, so the wood chunk breaks away and you don't hurt yourself. Sounds easy doesn't it? Well you try punching a tree and see what happens, I can tell you it hurts! You have to go deep down inside yourself and find a ball of power, then as you punch the tree you let the power rip through your body. Man, I felt like superman, smashing trees everywhere, awesome, the only downside is, it only works in the Survival Room. The gravity on the Overworld is different from Minecraftia, that is why you can do amazing things there that aren't possible here.
When Steve built the School of Minecraft he built this Survival Room that recreates the gravity on the Overworld, allowing you to practice as if you are really there. There's something weird about the place though, yeah what's weirder than punching trees like superman? I mean, yes I know it's a class room but it's HUGE, way bigger than the Atrium and I thought that was massive, and get this, there are guards everywhere. I don't know if it's for our safety or to stop us wandering off before we are ready. Everyone got the hang of it except a guy called Munch, so of course he's now known as Munch No Punch, hehe. I'm just glad it wasn't me. Saturday
No class today so me and the guys are going to explore the school. Back later. Seven hours! That's how long we were walking. Numbers suggested we look around the school grounds and the first thing he did was get us lost. You would think that a school as big as this one would be easy to find, but we did our best for seven hours to NOT find it. Oh yeah, did I mention that we walked for like seven hours! Gravy was furious, he hates walking, no seriously, he really, really hates walking. He would rather crawl than walk, maybe hop a little, even shuffle on his butt, but walk, NO WAY! Sunday Another day off, Numbers suggested we go exploring again but no one was falling for that again. Just stayed in the room chatting. Monday I can't believe these words are going to come out of my mouth, but here goes. Yep, totally dude. Admittedly, I am in Minecraft school so it's not your normal, everyday lessons but even so. We have Crafting again today, this should be fun.
Mr Larrson asked Darth if he would like to give another crafting demonstration but he just grunted no, and when everyone started to snigger his glare was so poisonous the giggles soon petered out. As his gaze swept the room I ducked down behind Gravy and Hoody - hey, it's not that I'm scared, well actually I am a little bit scared of Darth, it's just I did not want him to focus on me any more than he all ready had. Anyway, once Mr Larrson realized that there was no fun to have baiting Darth he got on with the lesson and man, it was AWESOME. We started out real simple, just taking some of the Wooden Blocks we collected in Friday's lesson and turned them into Planks. You don't have to do ANYTHING! You just put the blocks on the Crafting Table, and WHAMO, they change. Mr Larrson said that the secret to great crafting is knowing the recipes, once you have those the rest is easy. You just have to place the right items in the correct squares on the table. What! you've never used a crafting table? Ok, so this is how it works. There are nine squares on top of the table laid out in a 3 x 3 square. You place your items in certain places and it makes something new. For example, I made a bed, yeah I know, a bed! Anyway, I placed 3 x Wooden Planks in the bottom three squares then placed 3 x Sheep's Wool in the centre three squares and boom (well not an actual boom, there is no noise and that makes it even weirder. I expected a great flash of light and a massive BOOM but nope, it just happens, all nice and calm like) you have a bed sat on the crafting table. Now what's really freaky is that the Crafting Room, just like the Survival Room has Overworld gravity so it was dead easy to just pick up the bed one handed and move it off the table. Being small in Minecraft makes NO DIFFERENCE! I love this place.
The rest of the morning we spent turning Planks into Poles, combining Poles and Wooden blocks to make tools. Yeah, cool right. I made my first Axe by combing two Poles and a Wooden Block. I know a Wooden Axe is not a great tool but I'm going to keep this one as a souvenir. At the end of the class we all had to make a Wooden Door, what's that all about? The afternoon class was spent learning some more advanced crafting recipes. Did you know that if you combine 5 x Gunpowder in a cross shape and fill the other 4 squares with Sand you get TNT - that's EXPLOSIVES!
Hoody asked if we could make some in the next class but Mr Larrson just stared at him for so long that we all got a little uncomfortable. Eventually, Hoody asked if Mr Larrson was ok, and he replied that he was trying to make up his mind whether Hoody had a death wish or was just plain stupid. To his credit, Hoody cracked a huge grin and replied. 'Me, well if I had to choose between those two options I think I'll go with Stupid, thick as two planks me. Me ma always said I had fluff in between me ears so I guess she thinks I'm stupid too.' Then he winked at Mr Larrson, no really, I kid you NOT. He actually winked. Mr Larrson stared at him for a few seconds then broke out laughing, 'Hoody, I think you and I are going to get along just fine.' I can't believe it actually worked. If I had tried that I would have been on a one way trip to Trouble Town, prepaid ticket, no refunds allowed.
Tuesday Survival Training with Mr Mayer- I love this place! Today we learnt how build basic structures using the tools we made in yesterdays class. My souvenir Axe didn't last long, guess I'll just have to make another one. Mr Mayer taught us how to mine for new ore's. We found Coal and Stone pretty near the surface and will use them in tomorrow's Crafting class to make improved tools. Basic house building was so much fun. Using Soil Blocks from the morning Mining lesson we placed them in a 5 x 5 square leaving a hole in the middle, and proceeded to build a small cabin. Man it's so cool, just like in Mr Mayer's Awesome Beginners Survival Guide. After we finished the walls, Mr Mayer told us to place the Door we had made in Crafting Class into the hole in the wall. Duh, now I know what the door is for, * forehead slap* After the walls we built a roof using some Wooden Planks, I can see why Mr Larrson had us making all that stuff now, makes sense.
Lunch has never tasted so good - I was absolutely famished after all that building. I wonder what we will be doing this afternoon? Mr Mayer has just informed us that we will be staying in our completed cabins tonight. Seems the bed and torches I made will really come in handy. Hang on, he's talking again. 'Right class, tonight, as I informed you earlier, you are sleeping in your cabins. Now does everyone understand what the implications of this are? No, then take a look around.' We all look around the place, yeah, looks like the Overworld, cabins all over the place, hills in the distance with guards standing watch. *duh* Then it hits me like an out of control freight train.
'Yes Jeb, Monsters, although we call them Mobs,' replied Mr Mayer. Oh nooooo. What? no not the monster bit, yeah that's scary but I obviously just shouted that out loud, not in my head like I thought. What's Darth going to say....and right on cue. 'Oh, the poor little person is scared of the monsters, ah diddums.' To which he got great screams of laughter, even from Mr Mayer. *shame* 'Ok, people, calm down, calm down,' chuckled Mr Mayer. 'But Jeb is correct, there will be Mobs roaming the Overworld when the sun goes down tonight.' *gasp* Everyone glanced at each other nervously. 'Good, so I now have your undivided attention,' Mr Mayer smiled wickedly. 'So tonight you will stay in your cabins, two per cabin. You will sleep in your beds and tomorrow we will continue our lessons. You will NOT go outside tonight and you will NOT open the cabin door tonight or you WILL die tonight. Do I make myself clear?\" Oh man, die, for real! 'Good, then lets team up into pairs and start double checking your cabins to make sure they are secure. You have five minutes before dusk so get cracking.' Pandemonium, that's the only word I can use to explain what happened next. (It's a great word isn't it. It means total confusion and chaos - cool!) Everyone started grabbing each other, pairing up and then arguing over who's cabin they would use. Gravy and Hoody teamed up together and I grabbed Numbers as my partner, then we checked all four cabins between us and chose the best two. Mr Mayer came up behind us as we were moving our beds inside and whispered in my ear.
'Nice work Jeb, you were the only Avatars to work with another team and you chose your cabins wisely, tell your friends they did well.' Then he patted me on my head. *shame* I just can't catch a break, with one breath he compliments me then smashes me down. Of course Darth saw everything but heard nothing. Missed the compliment but saw the petting. 'Good Little Person, you must be the new teachers pet!' Him and his cronies burst their sides laughing again and only stopped when the horn sounded one minute to sundown. 'Right, everyone into your cabins. Light your torches and when the sun sets get into your beds and I will see you all here at first light. Sleep well and be safe.' He then hurried out of the Survival Room, followed by all the guards. *gulp* I guess that means we are on our own. 'Well Numbers, guess it's just you and me,' I said lighting a torch and putting it up on the wall. 'Won't be long until sunset now, might as well get comfy,' I said, as I jumped onto my bed and settled down. 'Hey Jeb, quick, come and look at this, COME ON,' screamed Numbers excitedly, while he was looking through the window in the door. The last exclamation got me out of bed quicker than my Mom can when I'm late for school. 'What, what's up? 'LOOK!' he replied, stepping aside and pointing outside. I moved cautiously up to the door and peered out. 'NO WAY!' Shambling between the cabins was a Zombie - no messing - a real life Zombie! Well maybe that's not the best expression as Zombie's are not alive but you know what I mean. 'Ah, the idiot, it had to be him.'
'What Jeb, what's happening, move over will you,' said Numbers, cramming himself in next to me. 'Darth! What is he doing?' We both squished our noses against the glass, mouths wide open and jaws almost touching the floor. Darth and Midge were creeping up behind the Zombie. It looked like they were daring each other to touch it. Were they mad? I wanted to scream out - Watch out you idiots, it's a freaking Zombie you are playing with. Run fools, run. But all that came out was EEK! Yeah I know, EEK! Even Numbers looked at me funny and ask if I was ok? *shame* We stood and watched Darth creep up on the zombie. He reached out his hand, ready to touch the zombie on its back when it swung around and lunged at him. I tell you, the look on Darth's face was priceless. I honestly don't think he thought the zombie was real until it turned around. The color
drained from Darth's face and he let out a really high pitched scream, yep, I'm going to say it, just like a LITTLE GIRL!!!!! Just as the Zombies fingers were within grasping distance of Darth, Midge to his credit, grabbed the back of Darth's shirt and pulled him out of range at the last second and the two of them high tailed it back to their cabin, dashed inside and slammed the door shut. The next second you could see their two faces squished up against the glass in the door, literally shaking. Me and Numbers fell about the place laughing, that was perfect. No one got hurt and Darth made a complete fool of himself. Way cool, this is turning out to be the best day EVER! Not so, just after that it all went down hill. The Zombie followed Darth and Midge back to their cabin and started banging on the door. We all knew it was only going to be a matter of time before the Zombie ripped the door down and attacked them, but then the strangest thing happened. His friends
came to his rescue. Who would have thought that Darth would instill that sort of loyalty in his friends? The cabin door across from Darth's opened and Panther ran out and threw a Soil Block at the Zombie. It bounced off its back without harming it but it had the required effect. The Zombie turned around and shambled after Panther, leaving Darth's cabin alone. Panther ran inside and slammed the door and the Zombie shambled up to the cabin and tried to get in. After a few minutes another cabin door opened and a big guy, don't know his name but he hangs out with Darth, ran out and threw a Soil Block and the Zombie turned and followed him. Well, you get the idea, each time the Zombie attacked a cabin someone would come out and attract its attention, drawing it away. This could have gone on all night, everyone was having such a great time, until the Creeper turned up.
Panther was at it again, baiting the Zombie, but he was getting too careless. Running around the cabins, laughing hysterically, with the Zombie in tow, and then it happened. From out of nowhere a creeper turned up and ran straight in front of Panther. It was a total train wreck, he wasn't even looking where he was going and splat, he ran straight into the creeper, and let me tell you, that upset the creeper no end. Immediately it started to vibrate and hiss and lunged at Panther. Panther let out a girly scream, but it just wasn't funny anymore. He froze until it was almost too late, the only thing that saved him was the Zombie coming up behind and reaching out for him. That seemed to snap him out of his trance and he took off running for his cabin with the Zombie and a hissing Creeper in tow. He just made it to the cabin as the Creeper exploded. I was thrown to the floor by the blast and when I dragged myself up all that I could see was a huge hole where Panthers cabin had been, and even the cabins on either side were damaged.
You have got to be kiddin' me! Nooooo. Seeing the huge hole where Panthers cabin had been and the fact that the Zombie was still shambling around, me and Numbers decided there was nothing we could do to help so dived into our beds and hid our heads under the pillows. Wednesday 'WAKE UP! Get out here now!' What, what's happening? I literally only put my head under the pillow and I can hear Mr Mayer shouting for us to get up. What's going on? Everyone gingerly opened their cabin doors, peeked out, trying to see if it was all clear. 'Come on, come on, we don't have all day. Right, first things first. You all look a little disorientated, hmm. Well, if any of you had read the Course Book you would have realized that the moment you laid down on you bed after dark, you would have slept straight through the night. Almost instant daytime, something to do with the gravity on the Overworld.' Looking around I see a lot of faces like my own, confusion suddenly clearing. 'Right, next point. I see some of your group ignored the rules last night and they are no longer with us the morning. Captain, what is the damage?' asked Mr Mayer of the armored Avatar. 'Two gone sir, presumed killed in the Creeper explosion and four others eaten, looks like Zombies.' 'Thank you Captain. So you see what damage can be caused when you do not follow the rules? Two people needlessly killed in a Creeper explosion and four unfortunates eaten alive, and let me tell you, that would have been no fun what-so-ever.' OMG, is he serious. Are they really dead? 'You look a little confused Jeb, what is on your mind? Mr Mayer asked me.
'Uh, the people who died, they like, really died?' 'Yes Jeb, they really died. Did you not hear the Headmaster informing you that there would be casualties? 'Yeah, but I thought, I don't know, maybe like, huh.' 'It's ok Jeb. Most people react this way after the first deaths. You all think it is just a game, a great adventure, and it is, but as with all great adventures comes great risks and you have just witnessed the greatest lesson I can teach.' Turning to look at each student in turn, Mr Mayer continued. 'Disobey the rules and bad things happen. This is not a school where you get a smack on the wrist and a letter to your parents, in the School of Minecraft, you break the rules, YOU DIE. Do You All Understand?' All heads nod yes. 'Good. Now, if you would all like to follow me we can start the next lesson.' 'What? That's it. Four people dead and school carries on as if nothing has happened,' I blurted out. Mr Mayer turned back to me and gave a small smile. 'Jeb, I know it is hard to understand but you have been selected as a Player Avatar and are scheduled to journey to the Overworld whether you are ready or not. If you arrive on the Overworld and you are not prepared, you will all perish; at least if you complete your training you stand a chance. Now, you may grieve for your friends in your own time but right now you are in my class so I suggest you pay attention.' And that was the end of it. Mr Mayer spent the rest to the day teaching us how to build a mineshaft, making sure that the tunnels were well lit, how to recognize the different Ores. It was really great but I just could not get the deaths of the others deaths out of my head. It seemed such a waste, four dead Avatars, and for what? I just don't get it.
Thursday Crafting with Mr Larrson was well cool. We took all the ores we mined yesterday and turned them into weapons. We first built a Furnace and smelted all the Iron Ore we found and turned it into Iron Ingots. Then on the Crafting Table we turned the Iron Ingots and Wooden Sticks into a Sword. (Warning: NOT to be used in Survival Classes) After that we crafted Armor and a Bow and Arrow. Judging that we usually use all the equipment we craft in Mr Larrson's class for practical lessons in Mr Mayer's class, I guess we will be learning how to fight pretty soon. Friday Yep, today we learnt how to fight. I say that like I'm now an expert but nothing could be further from the truth. I wish the class was an how to run
away from mobs class as that would have been more useful than the pitiful display that I put on. Ok, ok, I said I would tell you everything that happened even if I hate to, so here goes. Mr Mayer took us all into the Survival Room to teach the basic art of combat. We gathered outside the cabins ready for our first lesson. - note: hole in ground had been repaired and the damaged cabins removed. The atmosphere was a little subdued, with everyone looking around warily for Zombies or Creepers. Yeah I know Zombies won't be out and about during daylight, but we are all a little on edge, ok. Anyway, Darth was his usual bulling self, pushing around Stevie Niles - no doubt named after the great Steve, seems like half this planet is called Steve! Anyhow, Stevie's not much bigger than I am so I sure he is used to being bullied, but then he surprised me. He picked up a Block of Wood that was
laying on the floor and hit Darth across the head. Man, that was beautiful. Darth's jaw dropped open and he took a step back and stumbled over a tree stump, landing on his butt on the floor. As you can guess everyone just fell about laughing, and that set Darth off again. He struggled to his feet but tripped on the same tree stump again, you get that, the very same stump, and fell flat on his face. Well that was it, game on. Everyone was bent over, splitting their sides with laughter when Numbers shouted out, 'Hey Stumpy, what's the view like from down there?' I didn't think it was possible for someone to actually change color but Darth did. He went a funny shade of red, if it had been a cartoon I'm sure steam would have blown out of his ears. He struggled to his feet and started screaming that he would kill every one of us if we did not shut up. Normally, that would have silenced everyone, but I guess some things are just too funny and everyone kept on laughing.
Well, by now Darth was nearly exploding with anger, spinning franticly and screaming for vengeance and then his eyes settled on me. *gulp* 'You, Wimp. You think this is funny?' he screamed. I was tempted to make a joke but there was murder in his eyes and I'm pretty certain he would be capable of it. 'Huh Darth, chill, we were all just having a laugh,' I stammered, trying to include everyone into the answer. 'I will tear you limb from limb you little wimp. How dare you laugh at a Blackheath.' 'Darth, come on, everyone was laughing not just me.' 'Take that back Wimp, or I swear I will kill you. TAKE IT BACK.' Wow, talk about blowing everything out of proportion. Darth was seeing red and there was no talking him down. I was starting to get a little worried that this would end very, very badly when Mr Mayer stepped into the crowd. 'Good morning everyone, are we ready to commence today's lesson. Darth, you seem a little worked up, is everything alright.' 'I'm fine,' he managed to pry out between his gritted teeth. 'Good lad, and how about you Jeb, everything ok over there?' 'Yes thanks Sir, all A ok here,' I replied, and it was. Never had I been so happy to see a teacher in my entire life. A life that could have very easily ended if Mr Mayer had not arrived when he had. 'Good good. Well, lets get on with the lesson shall we. This morning we are going to learn the basic art of combat. Please get out your Wooden Swords and pair up.' We all moved off in groups, I grabbed Numbers and made a hasty retreat as far from Darth as possible. We spent the rest of the morning learning how to Jab, Lunge and Thrust. Cool huh, that's what we combat experts call attack moves. Then we learnt
how to Parry, Guard and Defend, cool defensive terms. By the end of the morning I was feeling pretty good, ready to advance beyond the basics. 'Right, it's almost time to break for lunch, so let's have a little fun before we stop. Darth, into the center please, so who can you fight, hmm, ah yes, perfect. Jeb, maybe you would like to engage with Darth?' 'No thanks Sir, I'm all good over here.' This comment got laughs all round. 'Sorry Jeb, you misunderstood me. That was NOT a request, now get over here.' *gulp* I ran over and stood facing Darth who gave me a wicked grin and mouthed - Time to die wimp. *double gulp* 'Right you two, keep it clean and let's see what you have learnt this morning.' That was like giving permission to lions to eat the gladiators. Darth let out an ear piecing scream and jumped at me, smacking his sword down on my head. THANK YOU Mr Larrson for insisting we only use Wooden Swords until after our training with Mr Mayer was complete.
I fell to the floor and Darth stood over me, grinning. 'Is that it wimp? That was almost a waste of my time.' 'Very well done Darth, right, next person. Come on Jeb, get out of the way, you have had your go.' And that was it. I crawled out of the way and Darth went on to demolish everyone who opposed him. At least I was not the only one to get beaten but I was the first so that's all anyone will remember. *shame* Saturday We have our final tests in Crafting and Basic Survival skills next week. Everyone who passes gets to go home for the weekend, all who fail have to stay back and re-test. I am going to study like crazy all weekend.
Monday Today's crafting lesson was the last one before the test tomorrow. The test will be divided into two sections, with a Theory Test in the morning and a Practical in the afternoon. Will sit up all night if necessary, cramming for the final exam. Tuesday Ok, today is the day I get to prove I am just as good as these older kids. Test starts in about an hour. Wish me luck. YESSSSS - I passed the Theory Test this morning. Yeehaaa!!! It was really easy in the end, probable because I sat up all night cramming, but I knew every answer. Mr Larrson gave me a perfect score, way to go JEB! Practical Crafting 101 went like a breeze, well more like a hurricane actually. It was a close call but I passed with flying colors. We all had to gather in the Crafting Room and take turns making objects. Mr Larrson drew names from one hat and item descriptions from another, the chosen person then had two minutes to collect everything they needed from the ingredients bench and craft the object on the Crafting Table, which was placed behind a screen in the middle of the room. All the other school teachers were seated in the corner of the room, watching the proceedings. Talk about pressure! Mr Larrson called my name. 'Jeb, will you please craft a Stained Glass Block, your time starts now.' 'No worries Mr Larrson, I know exactly how to do that,' I replied and strolled over to the ingredients bench. Right, 8 x Glass Blocks and some form of Dying agent and I will be set to go. Uh, where's the Glass? I hunted everywhere looking for Glass Blocks and then it hit me, I had to make my own. Ok, don't panic Jeb, I've still got
time, I'll just stuff 8 x Sand into the Furnace and noooooo. Where's the Furnace? And that's when I really started to panic. Ok, come on Jeb, quick. I grabbed 8 x Cobblestone Blocks from the Ingredients bench and dashed over to the Crafting Table, well that's at least one thing I didn't have to make. Laying the Cobblestone out in all the squares except the center, I made my Furnace and quickly stuffed 8 x Sand Blocks and 8 x Wooden Blocks inside. I retrieved the eight Glass Blocks from the Furnace and I checked the time. OMG - TEN seconds left. I grabbed a piece of Lapis Lazuli from the Ingredients bench and dashed back to the Crafting Table, placed all the Glass Blocks in the squares and the Lapis Lazuli in the center. I grabbed the Blue Stained Glass and held in aloft just as Mr Larrson called time.
'Cutting it a little close there Jeb, but nice job.' Phew, I'm glad that was over. Well the afternoon preceded a lot smoother after that shaky start. I went on to craft a Beacon, a Bass Fess Banner and some Melon Seeds - yeah that last one was real easy but I guess it's just luck of the draw. Mr Larrson called me in at the end of the test and told me I had passed the Practical exam. Way cool, fist bump Mr Larrson. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have tried that with Mr Larrson. I stuck my fist out there and he left it dangling for so long my arm nearly fell off, then he looked up and grabbed my first and shook it - yeah I know, he shook it! Anyhow, I passed, Crafting 101 is complete, just Basic Survival Skills 101 and I'm out of here for the weekend. Wednesday
Last practice day for Survival training was today and I'm so sore I can hardly move. We learnt how to Spawn today. Sound easy doesn't it. You stand next to the Survival Room door and Mr Mayer asks if your ready - sure, go ahead, I'm ready. He presses a button and BOOM you arrive in the Survival Room. Cool huh! Well it would be cool if I arrived standing up. Seven times he sent me through the Spawner and seven times I ended up flat on my face in the Survival Room. Nearly everyone ended up face down the first couple of times but they all got the hang of it by the end of the afternoon. Mr Mayer has asked me to come back tomorrow and try again. If I can't master Spawning then I will fail on Friday. Thursday
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