Runehamster: A squid in a tank...now that is brilliant.
I'm currently trying to build a more unique base. I'm attempting to build a massive tree, with my base inside, on top of, and around the tree. I'm having difficulty making it look organic the way I'm doing it. I'm currently using a pixel-circle diameter chart to make the trunk, and it looks more like an enormous brown pipe. I have no idea what would be better, except maybe building it bit by bit, by hand, instead of measuring it out? Any suggestions?
I'll have whales and anything else if he ever adds such things, PETA or no PETA. ;)
One possibility for the tree would be to make the trunk a lot thinner (maybe even as little as 4x4 rounded off) with most of the structure being built into the leaves (like the proportions of the [url=http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/File:Screentree2.PNG]really huge trees[/url] that sometimes spawn, only four times the size or whatever but keeping the same rough proportions).
As for the leaves, go slay a bunch of skeletons for their bones. When broken down to bone meal you can apply this to saplings to make them grow instantly; if necessary, cut out any leaves or wood you don't want and do it againuntil you get the desired result. Leaves count as empty space for sapling growth, so you can place them as close as you like and build little dirt pedestals and such until you get a leafy canopy.
Leaf blocks won't decay as long as they are connected to a log block, either directly or by touching a leaf block. Placed logs work the same as natural ones. Coating the interior of the tree with logs (and then putting another layer of the actual wall material over that, if desired) would be an easy way of making the insides however you like without worrying too much about the outside dying off.
EDIT: also note that there are [url=http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/File:Woodtypes.png]multiple log textures[/url] now, based on the biome the tree grew in, so you could even try a type of trunk that doesn't normally grow in that area.