But first...
About the Label: "Literature"
While not exactly complete long stories, this is where I mostly share casual stories. The literature-based material on JCS may not necessarily feature pictures. What is suggested and featured are various stories I have to share. Each Literature post has a suggested audience that I try to mention. This way, I let my audience know what each story will feature to make material I hope is appropriate to the certain audience(s).Now let's begin!
QUICK DISCLAIMER:
Minecraft was made by Team Mojang. To learn more about Minecraft, visit www.minecraft.net.
--- Minecraft Story: Saving Shrines ---
I will now share my Minecraft story through a brief set of sections. I hope you enjoy this one.SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: Everyone
ELEMENTS OF STORY:
• fantasy violence
• religious elements
The Beginning.
In some of the earliest days of humanity, there was a disconnect between humans and the gods. A series of disasters have plagued the world. Each passing day seemed as if the disasters get worse and worse until eventually, the heavens would win. These disasters were made worse with various monsters roaming the land. There was but one driving force that kept humanity alive- faith. In an effort to offer peace and sanctuary, a shrine was built on a grassy plain. To be protected and to be saved from any impending cataclysm, villagers and other folk would enter this shrine as a last resort to save their souls. A priest offered his sermon and his blessings to the many people who would enter this shrine. One day, a vicious monsoon flooded the area so badly that the land around the shrine basically broke apart, literally leaving the shrine to float on its own small island. It was at this point that the humans saw the power of their faith. Faith is what kept the shrine from being destroyed. Faith in the heavens (and in other things) saved the shrine from being totally destroyed.Days after the monsoon, the King surveyed the emergency zone. The King was sad to see the shrine become inundated and ordered the construction of a new shrine. This time- built atop a mountain near a coastal village. As this new shrine was constructed, the gods noticed something. The more shrines built around the land, and the more people put their faith into the gods, the stronger the bond between humans and the heavens. In addition, the heavens even provided divine support against the monsters! The King later proclaimed more shrines be built across the land to project the humans further from monsters and disaster. Across the land, more shrines were built to keep the bond between humans and the heavens intact. Everywhere from forests to the snowy regions had some kind of shrine. There was even one built on a large sheet of ice! The shrine that was saved by humans' faith remained intact, but it was starting to get moldy with tall branches of sugar cane surrounding it. However, it still remains intact and standing. During these times of peace, further bonding of humans with the heavens would be entrusted with the creation of temples in certain parts of the land. As with any shrine, these temples would provide more worship and establish a stronger bond between the humans and the heavens. These temples provided greater bonds between the humans and the heavens. And just like with the shrines, more temples provided stronger bonds.
Generations of peace would ensue for centuries as the shrines were created and as people seeked to be saved and protected. That is, until...
A New Disaster?
It is now the present. A young Minecrafter residing near one of the prominent temples was summoned through telepathy about an impending disaster outside of the reach of any god or goddess. Citizens of the Minecrafter's home village heard rumors of fierce beasts in two different realms that could enter the overworld and bring mass destruction to the world. This Minecrafter played off the very thought of monsters bringing exceptional destruction to the world... until one night receiving a message through telepathy from the King:"Greetings, Minecrafter. This is the King. You have been summoned to my castle. Please arrive immediately."
The Minecrafter graduated from the King's Academy and is well-versed in mining and crafting. The King figured this young warrior was good enough to be summoned by the King to be briefed about a possibly serious situation. His faith in the Minecrafter was enough to believe this person could be the greatest hope of saving the land from a would-be disaster. As the Minecrafter arrived into the King's throne room, he told the Minecrafter all that one needs to know about the dark rumors people worldwide have been spreading. Also in the room was an old scholar who is also a priest. The King began his briefing with the Minecrafter:
"Welcome, Minecrafter. It is great to see you again since you graduated from my academy a few years ago. Anyhow, let me tell you what is happenning.
"By now, you may have heard of recent rumors of monsters in two different realms that could impact this world and bring serious devastation. Scores of priests have told me that the rumors are true. There are two realms that have brought these rumors to light. One is called 'The Nether," and the other called 'The End.' These are two realms infested with monsters. It was a combination of monsters and weak bonds with the heavens that provided all the disasters that threatened humanity's existence. Now, underlying threats may tear this world apart.
"Sure, I could send my finest and bravest soldiers to investigate the matter, but I chose Minecrafters like you instead. You went through the certification process through my Academy and came out very well. You are a special Minecrafter. So that is why I chose you to help in saving this land. You need to utilize your Minecrafting skills to banish the enemies. Because I know only so much about this problem, this individual will tell you more about the matter at hand."
The King looks to the scholar and tells him to brief the Minecrafter further. After shaking the Minecrafter's hand and bowing down, he tells the Minecrafter more information on the dire situation.
"Yes. Let me tell you more about the situation. The rumor regarding a possible monster invasion is completely true. The Nether is a vile and vicious realm. Entering this realm requires you to build a portal to enter. Be warned, Minecrafter- do NOT enter the Nether unless fully prepared. You will need to craft weapons, defenses, and be able to provide for yourself with food resources. If you are adept enough, you may even need to have some enchantments to better your chances of survival.
So what does the Nether have to do with the dark rumors people have spreaded? Well, it is said that monsters within both the overworld and the Nether are working to try to draw a vile creature from the other realm- The End. A ferocious beast called the Ender Dragon exists in The End. Some people are even believing this Ender Dragon is the one responsible for not only the huge wave of monsters, but also the apparent weakened bond between humans and the heavens. When I taught a bunch of children this, even they couldn't believe a beast in another realm can impact the world we live in. Needless to say, the Ender Dragon must be stopped. If the Ender Dragon enters our world, we are all doomed."
As the scholar wrapped up his briefing to the Minecrafter, the King once again spoke to the young Minecrafter. This time, in a more concerned and slightly worried voice:
"Therefore, we need you not only to just investigate the matter, but also prepare yourself for a life-or-death adventure. Put your crafting skills to good use and rid our world of evil. The closest temple I know of from your home village is the Forest Temple. So I would first visit the Forest Temple before traveling to the world's other temples. If you need more information or insight, please visit your village's library. We are all counting on you to save our world from disaster. May the heavens and the angels be with you in your travels."
The Minecrafter was entrusted with the support and blessing of the King. Returning home, the Minecrafter returned home and dusted off the various crafting books from the King's Academy. Each of the books and lessons helped refresh the Minecrafter's knowledge on crafting. It had been so long since this King's Academy student was well-versed in the art of mining and crafting. The Minecrafter later decided to head to church to receive a blessing from the Priest. The Minecrafter then sets out to cross the nearby bridge and enter the Forest Temple.
^ from: my Minecraft album on Facebook - This is the Forest Temple I created in a Minecraft PlayStation 3 Edition world I created called "Adelphi."
The Forest Temple is like a lot of other temples in the world- ancient and decaying. You know a temple is there, but it is mostly surrounded in darkness and surrounded by tall grass and tall trees. There is still a greater story and a greater purpose. The Minecrafter entered the dark Forest Temple to receive more information and blessing from the Forest Temple's Priest. The Priest offered his advice and sermon to the Minecrafter:
"Welcome to the Forest Temple. I hear you were summoned by the King to protect our world. You must receive some important information before you set out on your quest. Listen to my sermon, as I am to teach you about our world and the bond we have with the heavens.
"During the trying times humanity faced in the past, and in the wake of various cataclysms, faith held together this world and its people. Shrines could only do so much to empower and encourage people. Therefore, temples like this one were created in various parts of the world to further strengthen the bond between humans and the heavens. People felt a force of empowerment as these temples were constructed. Brave men and women fought to protect temples like this one from the likes of criminals and monsters. Because of their sacrifice, these temples remain standing and continue for faith to be maintained.
"The power of both shrines and temples are key in keeping our world safe and to maintain faith. Without both working in complete synergy, the balance of our world will be threatened. For almost every shrine and every kind of shrine, there is a temple. Protecting shrines is still very important. However, the temples are even more important. The shrines and temples will empower you and strengthen you in preparation for the madness you will face in The Nether and in The End. You are only so strong. With shrine and temple power, you will be nearly unstoppable.
You now have been educated. Go to the other shrines and temples and not only protect them from monsters, but gain the knowledge and experience to save the world. Go forth and become the savior of this world!"
After the sermon, the Minecrafter left the Forest Temple and saw the world in a different light. The Minecrafter now knows what has to be done to protect humanity and its bond to the heavens. It is time to go around the world to visit and protect the world's shrines and temples. It is time to visit various villages and cities. Monsters had to be slain. And most importantly- the quest begins to slay monsters not only in the Overworld, but also in The Nether and in The End.
And so... the journey begins.
--- Notes About the Story ---
Here are some notes regarding the story you've just read:• I kept the story and its characters mostly anonymous. The Minecrafter (you, in this case) was kept genderless. I didn't want to suggest the Minecrafter was either a young male or a young female. That was the only real thing I wanted to stress in regards to the main character.
• Part of the goal of protecting temples was to utilize the usage of beacons. The beacons in Minecraft allowed for certain buffs to be applied to the main character when a beacon has successfully been placed. Unfortunately, neither the current (as of March 30, 2014) versions of Minecraft Pocket Edition or Console versions of Minecraft allow for beacons. A shrine would be protected successfully if a beacon was placed in the right spot.
• One of the temples I created is situated above the clouds. I still haven't yet decided on some way the player could access the Sky Temple (as it's called) to complete the tour of temples around the world. One of my Minecraft worlds I created in the PlayStation 3 version of Minecraft has the Sky Shrine situated directly above the player's house. Since these are Creative worlds where I've designed these structures, they can ONLY be accessed by entering Flight Mode in Creative Mode.
• I actually didn't know how to title this one. So I simply named it after the theme of this story.
Hope you enjoyed this one!
I'm hopeful you continue to stay with "John's Creative Space" to see more of my material. Follow and Subscribe if you enjoy my work. Thank you for reading!
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