I think I'll incorporate one of those mob traps into my base.

Ha! Lucky.

I found a butt-load of iron earlier. Dozens of ores in a cave right next to my spawn point.

Yeah, but then you'll get griefers in survival mode.

My anti-griefing measure? Lava buckets. Pour them down on their heads! MUAHAHA!

Yeah, I was thinking more of playing with friends or acquaintances on a private server, not random people on some public server. Though if the maps are sufficiently large then I would imagine that it should be possible to dig yourselves under ground and try to stay hidden from the griefers. I've never played multiplayer before, but I assume you can still make weapons and battle them. What should happen when you die on a multiplayer server is you are completely disconnected and have to start out all over again on another server.

Obsidian walls. Even with a diamond picaxe, that stuff takes forever to dig through.

With the lava and water springs there's a way you can make a mold and pour obsidian (water on top of lava turns the lava into obsidian). This would let you make a nice, thick wall fairly easily.

I got tired of mindlessly digging under my base hoping for the occasional iron deposit. No iron means no railroads, which is no fun. With the hopes of finding a cave system full of iron, I loaded up with pic-axes, shovels, food, weapons, torches, and wood. I left my valuables at home, packed my bags, and set out at dawn for a long expedition into unknown lands. I would be travelling far and wide in search of iron, surviving alone in the wilderness with nothing but darkness and hissing explodie guys to comfort me.

After a long day of treking I had seen many mountains, plains, forests, and a few promising but ultimately disappointing caves. Only two or three blocks of iron to show for a full day of exploring. Night was falling quickly and soon all I would have is the light of my torches to help me navigate. Still, I was determined to either come home with trucks of iron, or die in a blaze of molten glory.

About half way through the night I was being chased by a pack of skeletons wielding bows and quite sharp arrows. I saw a dark hole in the ground, and with no other good options, I decided to quickly jump in and hope for the best. Down in the dark I settled down for a bit, and listened for their footsteps. It seemed like I was safe, so I began to explore my newly discovered surroundings. Off in the corner I saw a dim light. Like a moth drawn to fire, I bounced down the rocky ledges to see what was brewing down below. Through a small passage at the base of the cave I found a huge room full of flowing lava. It lit up the whole cavern with a bright red glow, warning visibly of its deadly power.

Reveal spoiler to read the rest ... (so my post isn't huge)

Billybob, that is just an awesome story. I tend to avoid confrontation because I can't seem to kill without getting hit (and I never have healing items).

Billybob, I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Seriously though, you're a great writer.

I just can't wait for multiplayer. I love the features, but they don't make me want to play the game... all I want for Christmas... is some Multiplayer. I will be missing for darn near 3 weeks when that happens.

I want to smelt Iron Bars, but I need fire for that. In order to make Fire I need a Flint and Steel, and in order to make a Flint and Steel I need an Iron Bar... Surely you see where I'm going with this. What am I missing? Or do I have to go find some lava for this?