Shobies SMP is a chill SMP that is meant to feel alive while still keeping that vanilla vibe.
It has custom mobs and custom items but it does not try to change the whole game. It just adds some extra fun while you play survival.
Rules are handled through the Discord and you will need to get whitelisted to join.
I found a modded Minecraft SMP called Gilded Abyss and Season 2 started 2 days ago. The whole vibe is medieval and it is set up so new people will slowly get sorted into one of two groups. Each group gets daily tasks as the server goes on.
The world has lots to explore since it uses Biomes O Plenty and Terralith. You can also pick an Origin in game so you have a race and you can use its abilities.
There are special items you can get in certain ways and there are custom bosses for harder fights. The Create mod is on too so players can build machines and do automation as long as it is reasonable.
The End stays closed for the first week. After that it opens and there is an event. They also want lots of suggestions and they say there will be many events.
It is a whitelist server and you join by using a ticket system to talk with the owner or a moderator. If they think you fit then you get added.
I found LichCraft and it is a Java semi vanilla SMP on 1.21.11 with a fantasy vibe. The world is built up by the community and there is a big spawn city that players made together.
It has custom boss fights made with MythicMobs and special drops. They are working on more stuff like instanced dungeons and custom items like a Healing Wand and a Fireball Wand plus teleport crystals.
Survival feels fair because you can protect your land with claims and you start with a lot of blocks then earn more by playing. There are timed gravestones so you can get your gear back. Admins try to stay out of the way and big changes need an 80 percent community vote.
People connect everything with ice highways nether portals roads and shared builds. There is also a live map so you can see what is going on. The economy is player run with shop hubs in spawn the Nether and the End and you can buy a shop plot with diamonds.
Rules are simple be kind do not cheat and do not lag the server. VPNs are not allowed.
SoloraMC is a fresh survival server that is about to release. It looks like it is made for people who want lots to do instead of just punching trees all day.
You can take jobs and grind quests. There are also story quests so it feels like you are following something. The server has crates and daily events that try to keep you coming back.
It also has skills that let you farm and level up your character kind of like MCMMO. If you like group stuff you can lead a team. You can start a war with another team too. Or you can stay a nomad play with friends or make a clan.
There is land claim so your stuff can be protected. It also has custom terrain plus custom mobs and items. The listed game version is 1.21.10 to 1.21.11.