Note: These instructions need to be slightly adjusted for 1.9-1.12, namely, ladders cannot be placed on leaves, and 1.13+ swimming doesn't exist so you can't use the water collecting strat.

leaves = any block
planks = solid block

stone tools
three stacks of leaves
16 planks
3 trapdoors
2 chests
4 ladders
bed

- dig plus in ground, then dig out one edge of the column (like this: https://i.imgur.com/8MvEqHy.png)
- dig 3 down in center (but don't fall)
- place leaves in plus points
- [optional] place trapdoor while facing south (allows bed respawn facing forward)
- pillar up 4 leaves
- punch out third leaf block
- pillar up 10 leaves
- make base, place trapdoor in same orientation as bottom trapdoor, place double chest
- pillar up 3 leaves
- place 1 ladder
- pillar up 2 leaves
- place 2 ladders
- pillar up 78 leaves (79 if you're jumping off the chest to die)
- place trapdoor on drop edge (edge where you'll be dropping off)
- then place leaf block while facing trapdoor so the leaf block appears behind you
- then place leaf block on top of the previous leaf block
- pillar up 18 leaves (17 if chest death)
- place two leaves backwards from drop edge, break middle one
- pillar up 3 leaves
- place ladder on leaf block
- pillar up 13 leaves
- place planks + bed + align block

- on first drop, just align once (don't press anything while falling down on first ladder)
- break three leaves below planks
- dig 42 blocks down from bottom trapdoor, get rid of items, then place 2 sand to suicide
- for subsequent drops, align at top, catch ladder and fall towards stop block
- then align on tower and take fall damage on second trapdoor and immediately align + fall down after

- after final drop, place water then suicide
- the water will flow down to the bottom of the tower, allowing you to swim down and up to get to the pearls