I found NerdNu and it feels like a medium sized server that really cares about community and mostly vanilla gameplay. It is for players who miss that old Minecraft feeling where people actually know each other.
The PvE server is updated to 1.21.10 and it is survival building without PvP so you only worry about mobs. People work together on towns and big city builds and the PvE map reset on September 19th. They also do games nights with different player hosts like spleef thimble and ice boat races on Fridays at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 1pm US Eastern time.
There is also a Creative server on 1.21.10 with open world building and a mix of natural terrain and world painted areas. You can protect your builds and WorldEdit is free to use. Creative has community events too like spleef and speed build on alternating Saturdays and their current map revision started on June 22 2024.
Their snapshot server is currently closed because of recent updates and they will announce when it comes back.
NerdNu Vanilla PvE and Creative Community
New Semi Vanilla SMP Starting Soon
I found a small semi vanilla SMP that is still in testing right now. The server is not fully started yet and they say it will begin in about a week.
It is meant to feel close to vanilla and it sounds like a smaller group kind of place. If you want to join early and be around for the real start this is one to watch.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPThe Pen Classic 2014 Prison Grind
The Pen MC is a classic prison server that feels like the 2014 era. It is barebones and grindy and you do not get overpowered armor. There is no instant sell so you actually have to smelt your ores and make the trip to sell through pvp zones.
You rank up from A to H and then you can reach Parole. After you max rank you can keep going with a prestige system. The cool part is you can choose how you grind because there are different paths like mining fishing mob arena combat and a bakery style cookie farming system.
The server has guards that enforce contraband rules and there are illegal crops that are high risk and high reward. You can rent cells and plots and use an auction house plus player shops. There are bounties solitary confinement and parkour too. Paid stuff is not meant to be pay to win because everything premium can also be earned by playing.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPFantasy Nations RP With War Machines
Kings Talk is a fantasy modded nations roleplay server where people make their own nations or join an existing one. You can also make original roleplay characters and basically choose how you want to live in the world.
The nations grow in an organic way and the modpack adds RTS style units plus siege weapons and automation. That means you can build up your nation faster or go to war when you feel like it.
The map is 2k by 2k and the server stays running with active members. It is on Java 1.20.1 and it is modded with organic RP and nations play.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPAdults Only Vanilla Java SMP Builders
This is a Java survival server that stays close to vanilla and is all about building and sticking around for the long run. People work on big projects and try to make a chill social place where you actually get to know everyone.
The server is for adults and it has a simple application that is mainly a vibe check to keep out weird stuff. The rules cover the basics like no griefing no stealing no trolling no cheating and no unapproved pvp.
There are a few classic add ons that keep the game feeling vanilla. Stuff like extra mob heads and player heads armor stand posing simple voice chat with proximity and a link between Discord and in game chat. Nothing is meant to remove the normal survival challenges and there are no warps claims or pay to win perks.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IPDynasty Modded RP SMP Rebuild Eldoria
Dynasty is a modded Minecraft roleplay SMP with a friendly community and an active admin team that actually cares.
The story is about a goddess who lost her land and family in a fire caused by mortals. She goes looking for lost souls across different worlds and realms and brings them to her world.
Now everyone is pulled into the job of helping rebuild the ruined kingdom of Eldoria. It feels like a place where you show up with a character idea and try to turn it into a real story with other players.GG.MINEWIND.NET New Server IP