The Garden SMP is a Java 1.21.11 survival multiplayer server that leans hard into worldbuilding adventure and roleplay. It is meant to feel relaxed but still give you optional challenges if you want them.

You start with 3 lives and the only way to lose them is through PvP. If you lose all 3 you become a ghost and you are the only one who knows what is beyond the veil. Players can still bring someone back using a craftable revival book.

Some vanilla stuff is turned off to fit roleplay better like Elytra and Ender chests so people build more infrastructure and interact more. There are also lots of plugins for flavor like chest locking with trial keys plus lockpicks to break in chest shops alcohol and beer brewing and a bunch of QoL changes.

When you join you wake up on the clouds and you stick the landing then head down the Monolith to begin. You can pick a race for your character like elf halfling merfolk giant or human then wake on the docks of Isla De Viva Eterna. From there you can sail to the mainlands to claim land or live in a town with others.

It also says there is no pay to win and the staff and mods are active and attentive with a small thriving community.