An introduction to MessyMedieval

[LukyLucaz 302]

An Introduction to MessyMedieval

Written for Lord of the Craft, May 2024 (Our gratitude to Llir for allowing us to post links!)

What is MessyMedieval?

MessyMedieval (or MM for short) is a minecraft building philosophy and design system for Minecraft Roleplay which aims to unite beauty and function in player-scaled builds while remaining accessible to all players.

 

This brief document will help you get acquainted with the basic principles and tendencies of MessyMedieval and clear up common misconceptions about it. We hope this will help you to understand and appreciate the MessyMedieval outlook. We eagerly welcome fellow enthusiasts and critics alike, to our community and build server! Should you have any more questions about our philosophy or community, don't hesitate to post them in the comments!

 

Links

• Build Server IP - mc.messymedieval.net
• 🙌 MM Community Discord - Join our active and growing community discord!
• 🔗 MM Linktree - Links to all our pages and platforms!  neatly organized.
• 📌 MM Pinterest Page - A source for quality reference material and inspiration. Even for non-MM builders!

Documents

• An introduction to MessyMedieval - Shareable Google doc of this thread
• MM Guide - (a greatly outdated, but historic document to our community)
• MM Manifesto - A more comprehensive take on the MessyMedieval philosophy, set to be reworked. I will update the link upon it's completion.

 

 

The Aims and Principles of MM

The principles of MessyMedieval are concepts (generally) sequentially instilled in each and every build. While our aim of accessibility represents our commitment to indiscriminately build for a broad audience!
 

The principles of MM

• I. Purposeful Design: Rather than building arbitrarily, consider the utility and function of a build.
  This determines contextual factors such as size, layout, location, materials to be used, and in-character utility. “What is the purpose of said build?”
• II. Structural Integrity: Apply coherent logic to create builds with realistic structure. This entails working with a realistic 1:1 scale (1 block equals 1m³) as well as considering basic physics.
  For example: even fantasy themed builds should consistently be subject to its own internal laws, such as the existence of magical factors, etc.
• III. Meaningful detail: Add deliberate detail to your builds that is meaningful to its context. Avoid purely aesthetic techniques such as superficial “layering”, “blockspam”, etc.
  The placement of every block should be deliberate and justifiable within its context. For example: add small objects such as cups, tools and shelves within a homestead; moss to an old stone wall; and mud along puddles or river banks.

The aim of accessibility

• I. Build in default! We believe builds ought to be accessible to all players, without requiring effort on the side of the beholder. Therefore we recommend building with vanilla textures.
  graphic mods and resource packs also tend to act as a cover up for lack of technique or skill, and thus impede a builder’s proficiency. We creatively work with the tools the game provides and push them to the limit!

 

 

Noteworthy tendencies

• 👌 We adhere to realistic scale, we DO NOT scale up builds to fit in more detail. We learn to work with real 1:1 scale (1 block equals 1m³ and the player character is about 1.85 meter tall).
• 🎭 MessyMedieval is rooted in Minecraft Roleplay. It is on Lotc that MM’s name was coined and it found its first audience and students. This is because our philosophy addresses the needs of minecraft roleplay effectively and creates deeply immersive environments, which makes it uniquely synergetic to the format.
• 🧱 Mixing blocks to create new materials is a key practice used by MM builders, evidently inspiring our name. However, we must stress that we do this in an utmost intentional and clear way, rather than making something messy for its own sake. Not every build warrants a messy approach! We carefully consider the balance of texture, brightness and color of blocks to use.
• 📚 We frequently consult reference material (images, maps, literature, etc.) to inspire us. This grounds our builds in contextual realism and teaches us how to portray an accurate impression of realistic architecture and natural environments.

Important Clarifications

• ❗ “Messy” builds in a “Medieval” setting are NOT necessarily MessyMedieval. With regard to our movement, MessyMedieval ought to be considered a unique branding name and not just the sum of the descriptive terms “Messy” and “Medieval”.
• ☝️ MessyMedieval builds are NOT limited to a medieval setting, even though the name implies it. Our name was conceived to contrast against the predominant “clean” fantasy builds in early minecraft roleplay, it’s catchy nature, though inaccurate, made it last.
• 🧠 MessyMedieval is NOT a build style, but a philosophy and design system which allows for any thematic build style to flourish!

 

 

A brief history of MessyMedieval

MessyMedieval began as something rather humble and ill-defined In much earlier days on Lord of the Craft. It’s first expression being a tavern by the name of Crow’s Skuling on the temp-map of Kalos, before the launch of Anthos. At the time, the name MessyMedieval served as a counter-cultural statement against the then predominant “clean” fantasy builds on the server (Stonebrick from bottom to top). Ironically, today, MessyMedieval builds seem to be on the cleaner side of medieval fantasy, nor do we restrict ourselves to just building medieval fantasy styles.

 

In these early days MessyMedieval was strongly associated with House Carrion, until a little after their rise to power over the Empire of Oren. After that, the presence of senior MessyMedieval builders on Lotc has been irregular, which lead to the proliferation of many misconceptions about our movement (or the complete invisibility thereof). Evidently this document is an attempt to straighten the record.

Despite our periodic absence, MessyMedieval has left a distinct mark on the building styles of most of the server’s human realms. With many towns approximating our visual aesthetic without having direct ties to our community or build server. The only notably break from this semi-MM style on Lotc, is New Valdev, the capital of Hanseti-Ruska (built by the talented @ErosTea)

 

Edited May 17 by LukyLucaz
Link updated

[Zarsies 6114]

I have been enamored with MM since Kralta; this philosophy and community has been an incredible boon for my building skills and a huge source of inspiration. Anyone who wants to advance their Minecraft building - anyone in any context - ought to take notes. At every skill level it has universally applicable tips and MANY stellar examples and references! Broadly speaking, our community has absorbed elements of MM over the years and we can see today how its influences linger beyond human realms. Its influence is well deserved.

 

Holla at my favorite Master @Anderssn! :)

[Unwillingly 11561]

very cool post, cannot stress enough how much I agree with the principles of design, integrity, and detail. might check this out

[Jentos 7067]

A wonderful system! I've adopted it ever since I was introduced to it in my early days of Vailor. I've adapted the style to a lot of more fantastical and supernatural-themed builds, and I find that its general style can be used for just about any kind of build. 

 

Thanks Luky! I hope you're doing well!