CharmedChars

CharmedChars - Word Puzzle Adventure for Minecraft

🕊️ Fully playable in Peaceful Mode — every feature, from letter block collection to the Ender Dragon finale, works without hostile mobs.

Transform your Minecraft world into a word-forming puzzle game! Collect magical letter blocks from logs, spell words for rewards, conquer the Nether's number guessing challenge, and claim a legendary logo block from the Ender Dragon.

What is CharmedChars?

CharmedChars is a multi-layered puzzle adventure that weaves custom block gameplay through every dimension of Minecraft.

In the Overworld, mine logs with gold or pyrite tools to collect colorful letter blocks. Arrange them into words and score rewards based on your vocabulary skills and color matching strategy.

In the Nether, collect number blocks from warped and crimson stems. Each Fortress and Bastion holds a secret 3-digit code — use binary search to crack it and claim a jackpot of blaze rods or ender pearls.

In The End, the Ender Dragon drops a randomly-colored logo block above the exit portal on death. Place it in The End and strike it with a gold or pyrite tool to transform it into a matching colored shulker box filled with ghast tears — your ultimate reward for completing the adventure. The logo on the block is that of Gaia Temperini, the artist who created the original marble-style block textures used throughout CharmedChars.

Perfect for:

• Educational servers teaching spelling, vocabulary, and number strategy
• Survival servers adding unique progression mechanics across all three dimensions
• Adventure maps with puzzle elements and a satisfying finale
• Players who love word games, Scrabble-style scoring, and number puzzles

Core Features

Letter Block Collection System

• Mine any wood logs with gold or pyrite tools to collect random letter blocks
• Three vibrant colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
• Drop rates: 6% base, up to 20% with Looting III enchantment
• Frequency-based distribution: Common letters (E, A, R) drop more often than rare ones (Q, X, Z)
• Custom 512x512 textures with ItemsAdder, Oraxen, or Nexo integration

Word Formation & Scoring

• Place blocks in straight lines (horizontal or vertical)
• Break any letter with a gold/pyrite tool to score
• Dictionary validation: ~173,500 English words (ENABLE word list, public domain)
• Smart length requirements:
  • Same-color words: 3 letters minimum
  • Multi-color words: 4 letters minimum
• Color bonus: All same-color blocks = 3x score multiplier!

Pyrite (Fool's Gold) System

• Craftable alternative to expensive gold tools
• Recipe: Iron Ingot + Redstone = Pyrite Ingot
• 250 durability vs gold's measly 32 uses
• Iron-tier speed - faster than gold!
• Identical CharmedChars functionality - works everywhere gold does

Nether Structure Number Guessing Game

• Each Fortress and Bastion gets a secret 3-digit code (100-999)
• Collect number blocks from Warped/Crimson Stems
• Form 3-digit sequences and guess the structure's number
• Correct guess: Jackpot rewards! (12 Blaze Rods or 16 Ender Pearls)
• Wrong guess (too high): Bed-like explosion - dangerous!
• Wrong guess (too low): Blocks drop safely - try again!
• Use binary search strategy to find any number in ~10 guesses

Ender Dragon Logo Block (v1.5.0) 🐉

• When the Ender Dragon dies, a random-color logo block drops on the end stone just outside the exit portal fountain — safe from the portal's item teleport and the dragon egg's non-full hitbox
• Drop is world-based — no killing blow required, works even with /kill
• Three colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow — chosen randomly each kill
• Place it in The End and hit it with a gold or pyrite tool to transform it into a matching colored shulker box filled with configurable loot (default: 4 Ghast Tears)
• Loot contents fully configurable via logo-block.shulker-contents in config.yml

Glassing Beds (v1.4.0) 🛏️🔥

• NEW: Optional feature converts lava to glass when beds explode in Nether/End
• Colored Glass (v1.4.1): Glass color matches bed color! 🎨
  • White beds → Clear glass
  • Red/Blue/Yellow/etc beds → Matching stained glass
  • All 16 Minecraft bed colors supported
  • Create decorative colored glass patterns in lava lakes
• Activation System: Hit 4 different operator blocks (+−×÷) with gold/pyrite tool each Nether visit
• Requirements: All same color, any order, must be in Nether dimension
• Y-Level Restriction: Only converts lava at Y≤28 (prevents ocean surface abuse)
• 5-Block Radius: Converts lava in 11x11x11 cube around explosion
• Session Reset: Activation resets when entering Nether (portal/teleport/death)
• Feature Control: Disabled by default, enable with /glassingbeds enable
• Strategic Gameplay: Adds resource cost (operator blocks) for lava removal
• Safety Warnings: Not all lava flows guaranteed to stop; overlapping explosions can break glass

Configurable Reward System

• Earn items based on word scores
• Multiple reward tiers with customizable formulas
• Default rewards: Iron Ingots (100+ score), Gold Nuggets (200+ score)
• Admins: Fully customize materials, quantities, and thresholds
• Nether rewards: Customize fortress/bastion prizes

Quick Examples

Example 1: Basic Word Scoring

1. Mine oak logs with gold pickaxe
2. Collect: [C-cyan] [A-cyan] [T-cyan]
3. Place in a line: [C][A][T]
4. Break any letter with gold tool
5. Result: "Hit: 395.61" (3x color bonus!)
6. Rewards: 3 Iron Ingots drop

Example 2: High-Score Strategy

Word: "QUARTZ" (all magenta)
- Base score: ~250
- Color bonus: 3x
- Final score: ~750
- Rewards: 7 Iron Ingots + 5 Gold Nuggets

Example 3: Nether Challenge

1. Enter Bastion Remnant
2. Message: "New Structure Discovered: BASTION"
3. Farm Warped Stems for number blocks
4. Guess 500 → "Too high!"
5. Guess 250 → "Too low!"
6. Guess 375 → "CORRECT! +16 Ender Pearls"

Example 4: Colored Glass (v1.4.1)

1. Admin runs /glassingbeds enable
2. Player enters Nether via portal
3. Place 4 operators: cyan + cyan − cyan × cyan ÷
4. Hit sequence with gold pickaxe
5. Message: "✦ Glassing Beds ACTIVATED! ✦"
6. Place RED bed near lava → explosion creates RED stained glass
7. Place BLUE bed nearby → explosion creates BLUE stained glass
8. Place WHITE bed → explosion creates clear glass
9. Result: Decorative multicolored glass path through Nether!

Installation

Requirements

• Minecraft: 1.21.11+
• Server: Paper or Paper-based (Purpur, Pufferfish, etc.)
• Java: 21+
• Custom Item Plugin (choose ONE):
  • ItemsAdder 3.6.3-beta-14+ (premium - sold separately) - Recommended
  • Oraxen 1.212.0+ (premium with public source - sold separately) - Alternative option
  • Nexo 1.0.0+ (premium - sold separately) - Alternative option

Optional Dependencies

• WorldGuard 7.0.14+ (region protection)
• GriefPrevention 16.15.0+ (claim protection)
• ProtocolLib 5.4.0+ (advanced features)

Setup Steps (ItemsAdder)

1. Purchase and install ItemsAdder (proprietary plugin - not included)
2. Download CharmedChars JAR from GitHub Releases
3. Place both plugins in plugins/ folder
4. Start server to generate configs
5. Run /iasetup to auto-configure ItemsAdder
6. Run /iazip to generate resource pack
7. Restart server completely
8. Players automatically receive resource pack on join

Setup Steps (Oraxen - Alternative Option)

1. Purchase and install Oraxen (premium plugin with public source code)
2. Download CharmedChars JAR from GitHub Releases
3. Place both plugins in plugins/ folder
4. Start server to generate configs
5. Run /oraxensetup to auto-configure Oraxen
6. Run /oraxen reload all to load items
7. Restart server (recommended)
8. Players automatically receive resource pack on join

Setup Steps (Nexo - Alternative Option)

1. Purchase and install Nexo (premium plugin - requires license)
2. Download CharmedChars JAR from GitHub Releases
3. Place both plugins in plugins/ folder
4. Start server to generate configs
5. Run /nexosetup to auto-configure Nexo
6. Run /nexo reload all to load items
7. Restart server (recommended)
8. Players automatically receive resource pack on join

Detailed guides:

• QUICK_SETUP.md (ItemsAdder)
• ORAXEN_SETUP.md (Oraxen)
• NEXO_SETUP.md (Nexo)

Commands & Permissions

Configuration Highlights

Drop Rates (config.yml)

letter-blocks:
  drop-chance: 0.06  # 6% base chance
  looting-multipliers:
    1: 1.67  # Looting I: 10%
    2: 2.67  # Looting II: 16%
    3: 3.33  # Looting III: 20%

Reward Tiers (config.yml)

Drop:
  - materialName: "IRON_INGOT"
    minimumRewardCount: 1.0
    multiplier: 0.01
    minimumThreshold: 100.0
    maximumRewardCap: 20.0
  - materialName: "GOLD_NUGGET"
    minimumRewardCount: 0.0
    multiplier: 0.01
    minimumThreshold: 200.0
    maximumRewardCap: 50.0

Nether Rewards (config.yml)

fortress-reward:
  material: BLAZE_ROD
  quantity: 12

bastion-reward:
  material: ENDER_PEARL
  quantity: 16

Full configuration guide: REWARD_CONFIG.md

Documentation

For Players

• How to Play - Complete gameplay guide
  • Letter collection strategies
  • Word formation rules
  • Scoring mechanics and color bonuses
  • Pyrite crafting recipes
  • Nether number guessing game
  • Tips for maximizing rewards

For Server Admins

• Quick Setup Guide - ItemsAdder - ItemsAdder installation
• Oraxen Setup Guide - Oraxen installation (alternative option)
• Nexo Setup Guide - Nexo installation (alternative option)
• Reward Configuration - Customizing rewards
• Troubleshooting - Common issues

For Developers

• Build Instructions - Building from source
• Version History - Complete changelog

Technical Details

Custom Blocks & Items

• 126 custom blocks: 26 letters × 3 colors + 10 numbers × 3 colors + 4 operators × 3 colors + 3 logo blocks (cyan/magenta/yellow)
• 5 pyrite items: Ingot, Pickaxe, Axe, Shovel, Hoe (craftable iron-tier tools)
• Total: 131 custom items with ItemsAdder, Oraxen, or Nexo integration
• 512x512 custom textures by Gaia Temperini
• Auto-setup commands for ItemsAdder (/iasetup), Oraxen (/oraxensetup), and Nexo (/nexosetup)
• Abstraction layer supports multiple custom item providers (exactly one required)

Database System

• SQLite database with Exposed ORM
• Persistent structure tracking for Nether number game
• One-time reward enforcement per structure
• Multi-chunk structure support using origin coordinates

Protection Integration

• Optional WorldGuard support (soft dependency)
• Optional GriefPrevention support (soft dependency)
• Configurable toggles in config.yml
• Works perfectly without protection plugins

Version Information

Current Version: 1.5.0

Latest Updates:

• v1.5.0: Ender Dragon Logo Block — Dragon finale and The End reward system
  • NEW: Ender Dragon death drops a random-color logo block on the end stone beside the exit portal fountain
  • NEW: Logo block placed in The End + gold/pyrite tool → colored shulker box with configurable loot
  • NEW: Logo block definitions added for all three providers (ItemsAdder, Oraxen, Nexo)
  • FIXED: Nexo integration fully tested and confirmed working at runtime
  • FIXED: Shadow JAR build — coroutines and other dependencies now correctly bundled
• v1.4.2: Dependency Updates for Minecraft 1.21.11 - Maintenance release with updated dependencies
  • UPDATED: Minecraft 1.21.10 → 1.21.11, PaperMC Build #130
  • UPDATED: Kotlin 2.2.21 → 2.3.20, Coroutines 1.9.0 → 1.10.2
  • UPDATED: ProtocolLib 5.3.0 → 5.4.0 (new Maven coordinates)
  • UPDATED: Oraxen 1.181.0 → 1.212.0, Nexo 0.1.0 → 1.0.0
  • KEPT: ItemsAdder 3.6.3-beta-14 (4.0.16 has stability issues)
  • KEPT: Exposed ORM 0.48.0 (1.0 migration deferred)
  • 100% backward compatible - no config/database changes
• v1.4.1: Colored Glass & Safety Enhancements - Glass color matches bed color
  • NEW: Colored glass feature - bed color determines glass color (16 colors)
  • White beds → Clear glass, other colors → Matching stained glass
  • Create decorative colored glass patterns in lava lakes
  • Comprehensive safety warnings for overlapping explosions
  • New FAQ entries about lava flow limitations and debris mining safety
  • 100% backward compatible with v1.4.0
• v1.4.0: Glassing Beds Feature - Major feature release with Nether lava management
  • NEW: Glassing Beds system - bed explosions convert lava to glass
  • NEW: Operator Activation - hit 4 operator blocks (+−×÷) to activate each Nether visit
  • Y-level restriction (Y≤28) prevents lava ocean surface abuse
  • 5-block cubic radius conversion (11x11x11 cube)
  • Session-based activation resets on dimension change
  • Admin command: /glassingbeds enable/disable/status
  • Optional feature - disabled by default
• v1.3.0: Nexo Integration & Fortune Enchantment - Complete three-provider support plus gameplay improvements
  • Full Nexo integration as third custom item provider option
  • Fortune enchantment now correctly boosts letter block drop rates
  • Copper tool support for Oraxen (Minecraft 1.21.9+)
  • Universal 256x256 textures for all providers
• v1.2.0: Oraxen compatibility - Full support for Oraxen as alternative to ItemsAdder
• v1.1.x: Pyrite system, bug fixes, and enhancements
• v1.0.0: Initial release with word scoring and Nether number game

Full Changelog

License & Dependencies

CharmedChars

• License: GNU LGPL v3
• Source Code: Open source on GitHub
• Commercial Use: Permitted under LGPL v3 terms

Required Dependency - Custom Item Plugin (Choose ONE)

CRITICAL NOTICE: CharmedChars requires exactly ONE of: ItemsAdder, Oraxen, or Nexo (not multiple, not none).

ItemsAdder (Recommended)

• Premium plugin - purchase required for server use
• NOT included with CharmedChars
• Available from SpigotMC
• CharmedChars only uses ItemsAdder's public API (compileOnly dependency)
• Auto-setup with /iasetup command

Oraxen (Alternative Option)

• Premium plugin with public source code - purchase required for server use
• NOT included with CharmedChars
• Available from SpigotMC
• Source code available on GitHub but license requires purchase
• CharmedChars only uses Oraxen's public API (compileOnly dependency)
• Auto-setup with /oraxensetup command

Nexo (Alternative Option)

• Premium plugin - purchase required for server use
• NOT included with CharmedChars
• Available from Polymart
• CharmedChars only uses Nexo's public API (compileOnly dependency)
• Auto-setup with /nexosetup command

Important: Install exactly ONE of these plugins. CharmedChars will automatically detect which one you have and refuse to load if multiple are installed or none are installed.

Credits

Author: StephanosBad

Built With:

• Kotlin 2.3.20 & Paper API 1.21.11
• ItemsAdder API 3.6.3-beta-14 (optional - one of three custom item providers - fully tested)
• Oraxen API 1.212.0 (optional - one of three custom item providers - fully tested)
• Nexo API 1.0.0 (optional - one of three custom item providers - fully tested)
• Exposed ORM 0.48.0 (SQLite)
• ProtocolLib 5.4.0 (optional)

IMPORTANT: ItemsAdder, Oraxen, and Nexo are all premium plugins sold separately and require purchase for server use.

Artwork:

• Block textures by Gaia Temperini
• Letter frequencies based on Oxford Concise Dictionary (9th edition, 1995)

Development:

• AI-assisted development by Claude (Anthropic)
• Features include: Nether number game, pyrite system, reward formulas, Oraxen compatibility, Nexo compatibility, custom item provider abstraction, comprehensive documentation
• All AI contributions include Co-Authored-By attribution in git commits

Links

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars
• Download (Releases): https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/releases
• How to Play: https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/blob/master/PLAY_INSTRUCTIONS.md
• Setup Guide (ItemsAdder): https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/blob/master/QUICK_SETUP.md
• Setup Guide (Oraxen): https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/blob/master/ORAXEN_SETUP.md
• Setup Guide (Nexo): https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/blob/master/NEXO_SETUP.md
• Issue Tracker: https://github.com/badbabywentaway/CharmedChars/issues

Support

For help, feature requests, or bug reports:

1. Check the Troubleshooting Guide
2. Review Play Instructions and other documentation
3. File an issue on GitHub Issues

Ready to add word-forming adventure to your Minecraft server? Download CharmedChars today!