Intermediate Era - In Character Discussions
- Black Tea: simple, dark, luxurious.
- Green Tea: soothing, satisfying, calming.
- White Tea: simply, light, refreshing.
House Blends (Always Available):
- Nettle To The Metal: a blend of black tea and nettle said to bolster spirits and alterness as well as inspire an individual to tackle the day; may or may not give a sense of protection.
- Mouth On Fire: a blend of black tea, spicy peppers, and peppercorns not for the faint hearted, but fantastic to wake anyone up; may or may not cause regret.
- Cantrip Catnip: a blend of green tea and catnip leaves said to encourage openness to relationships and build courage for hard tasks; may or may not invite some recklessness.
- Green Without Envy: a blend of green tea, lavendar, camomile, and a hint of peppermint said to help an individual full relax; may or may not make them too fall asleep.
- Garden Variety: a blend of white tea and lemon balm for a slightly more refreshing, herbal taste; may or may not be very exciting.
Special Blends (Seasonal Dependent):
- House On Fire: a blend of black tea, spicy pepper, and a secret ingredient from a friend to create a spicy, but soothing drink that the gods may enjoy; may or may not develop a craving.
- Eldergreen: a blend of green tea with a syrup of elderberries to boost health, wealth, and family; may or may not only boost health.
- Soon To Be Back: a blend of white tea and sumac for a very refreshing, slightly sour blend to put any drink made of pure citrus to shame; may or may not actually put them to shame.
Special House Blend (Favorites):
- Darkest Black: a blend of black tea, chicory root, and roasted acorns with collaboration from a friend creates a very dark, slightly bitter brew; may or may not actually taste like "coffee".
Matchmaking Blends (Consultations Only):
- Lavender Love: a blend of black tea, rose, and lavender to sooth the individual and encourage them to be more open to finding the one; may or may not help invoke the interest of the goddess.
- Matcha Made In Heaven: a blend of a special type of green tea and linden flower to hearten any potential feelings of love between matches as well as fertility and health; may or may not actually help with fertility concerns, but definitely helps with love.
- Apple of You And I: a blend of white tea, apple blossoms, and apple to inspire growth of feelings and invoke the freshness of a new relationship; may or may not help current or resulting relationship catch the eye of the goddess.
All blends are at the creation of the owner; satisfaction cannot be guaranteed; prices and blends subject to change. Milk, sugar, and honey available upon request. Special matchmaking blends only available during appointments. Stay tuned for more blends.
"Okay!" exclaimed Raelynn, as she set one last chart down on the table.
Unlike before, it wasn't a stack of star charts, but a single, concise sheet she had worked hard on over the past hour while Youtargim got whatever money he could from Ulrik, and Talwin figured out where to house him. Neither of those things were as important to her as getting her star readings aligned.
Without waiting to give Ulrik a chance to respond, she started pointing, insistently, at the chart, as she continued, "You were born in the 7th House of the 18th Sun at the Time of Weeping in the Month of Folly. According to my calculations, Vitruvius and Allian were aligned in the 14th Hall. Now, it appears that Cornus was present in the Guesthouse, and Dioica was in retrograde, but that doesn't seem quite right. Maybe your mother really does go by another name?"
"Anyways," said Raelynn, looking up from her charts with excitement at Ulrik. "Your star alignment is very, very interesting. An amateur would take one look at your primary sign and write you off, but I know my charts. You do have greater potential of a painful death, but that's what you'd expect for an adventurer." She tapped her chart again, insistently. "But you also have a much greater chance of that being due to a very great act or deed. That doesn't mean you'll die so easily or quickly though. And see here how Panax is peeking around the corner of the 3rd Archway? That's why you have a high chance at fame. Panax being present is usually a good omen to start, but in the 3rd Archway? The implications, Ulrik!"
She pushed the chart towards Ulrik, his to keep to remind him of his potential. Tempting as it was to hang on her wall, her first reading such an amazing success, it wasn't her fortune. Then again, maybe she'd make a beautiful copy to hang on her wall if he didn't mind...
"Don't listen to Sundown or N'laea," said Raelynn, leaning forward, smiling. "The stars have spoken, and I have a very good feeling about it. Besides, I always get along very well with those birthed during the presence of the 11th House of Passion. That's not even mentioning the 8th Garden of Devotion being adjacent to both full moons. You're in very good company."
Language of Strength
"Be careful of that logic," remarked N'laea upon hearing Talwin's comment about learning the language of Goblins. "He learned your language only because his wife is smarter than him, not because he knows he should understand those in charge, and yet he insists you learn his?"
She could see his argument brewing so pressed on, "You'd give them power by doing that. And then you will have the Gnomes requesting the same. And what of your friends? I could argue you do not care enough of your friendships to learn Hin or Elvish. It is a very slippery slope."
N'laea shook her head slightly, as she continued, "Most of my clan only speaks Elvish. Those of us interacting more with the wildlife learn their language. A few who know we'll leave learn the Common Tongue as we know it will benefit us. If you came to my clan, we have translators - just as you do - to warn you off before we kill you. I suppose your translators are a bit kinder than that, but my point remains. They have that option because you did enough to make sure you could communicate. But do not think, especially for them, that learning their language would be a goodwill gesture. That is not their interpretation."
"You did not win over this land with language. You rule over them with strength. That is the only language you need to know for Goblins."
