Altairian Tea

Like on Earth, the most popular beverage on Altairus besides water is tea. Altairian tea comes from a variety of tea bush known simply as Camellia Sinensis var. Altairius. This plant is cultivated throughout the megacontinent of Domeria-Tamora-Cirkea, but most heavily in the Cha Plains to the north.

Camellia Sinensis var. Altairus is most similar to Camellia Sinensis var. Sinensis, with a few key differences. The flavor of Altairian tea leaves tends to have a somewhat sweet, strong flavor. Altairian variety tea is also exceptionally cold-hardy, thriving in areas to the far north.

Magical Properties

Camellia Sinensis var. Altairus is unique in that it carries with it different magical properties depending on how and where it is cultivated and processed. Like Earthen tea, it can be separated into six different categories: White, Green, Yellow, Oolong, Black, and Dark. In Altairus, each is associated with a different element of Anima.

White Tea

Associated Element: Air

White tea is the least processed of all tea. It is usually sun-dried before Air spells are used to reduce its moisture content. This kind of processing results in bleached leaves that are infused with Air magic, hence its association with the powers of Air.

Naturally, drinking white tea can raise one's Air magic level, giving Air spells a temporary boost. It is known as an energy and mood restorer as well as a cognitive enhancer.

Green Tea

Associated Element: Fire

Green tea is slightly more processed than white tea. It undergoes an additional step called fixing, which is where the leaves are heated to denature the proteins that lead to oxidation. This makes it so that the leaves will remain green and not change to black.

Using heat to fix the leaves, whether by pan-firing the leaves or by steaming them, infuses them with Fire magic. Tea like this is warming to the system, and it can be used to purposefully induce a fever in an infected individual to help them fight off contagious illness. Besides this, it can also increase one's running speed and stamina, as well as encourage a healthy appetite.

Yellow Tea

Associated Element: Light

Yellow tea is slightly different than green tea. After fixing, it is "sweltered:" wrapped in cloth or paper and left to ferment slightly. This mellows out the grassy flavor associated with many green teas.

In Altairus, the sweltering process serves to enhance the Light magic naturally present in the tea leaves. This may account for part of its mellower taste. As such, it is especially effective against wendigo and Null magic-associated conditions, such as Null Magic Poisoning. It also makes a powerful component in many a Light-based healing potion. In fact, its healing properties are so potent that certain Ley Spas will customarily serve yellow tea to their patrons.

Oolong Tea

Associated Element: Water

Oolong teas are the most diverse and high-maintenance of all tea types in Altairus. They are somewhere in between green tea and black tea in terms of oxidation, ranging from 5% to 80% oxidized. They undergo an extensive bruising process to ensure adequate and precise oxidation.

Perhaps due to the fact that much of Altairus's oolong tea is produced in the colder regions of Altairus (most infamously Frozen Summit, where Altairian Tung Ting is cultivated), it is heavily associated with the element of Water. Oolong in Altairus can confer accelerated healing, as well as resistance to the cold and an increased ability to hold one's breath underwater. Near the Frozen Summit, travelers passing through will often indulge in Altairian Tung Ting, an oolong tea cultivated in the area, to better survive the inhospitable conditions of the surrounding Howling Range.

Black Tea

Associated Element: Darkness

Black tea is completely oxidized, as evidenced by the leaves' blackened hue. As the final step in their processing, the leaves are crushed by a roller, breaking open their cells and allowing for full oxidation of the leaves. When this process is finished, the tea has a bold flavor.

Loved by many Dark elementals, modern Altairian black teas may be processed in areas with an abundance of Dark magic, such as the Ill-Fated Fields or the towns of Grimberg and Harlequin's Repose. The Dark magic present in these blends enhances their flavor. Those who drink it enjoy an increased affinity for the shadows. It is associated with the powers of telepathy/telekinesis, as well as divination. Frequent consumers tend to need less sleep to function as well.

Dark Tea

Associated Element: Earth

Dark tea, or post-fermented tea, is black tea that has undergone a process of fermentation either organically or artificially. Note that Altairian dark tea is never referred to as puer. Puer refers to a dark tea that is cultivated in the Yunnan district, which is on Earth, not Altairus.

Altairian dark tea is the most diverse of all the teas flavor-wise. The multitude of bacteria and fungi that ferment the leaves infuse them with the powers of Earth. Hence, consuming dark tea can confer the consumer with super-strength and superior healing powers. It may also give the consumer some powers over plagues and disease due to the microorganisms that are involved in its processing.

Misery Mire tea, an Altairian dark tea named for its production in the land of Misery Mire, is known to have this ability. Taking on a strong rotting-wood flavor (lovingly referred to as an "old-growth forest" flavor), the tea acquires its abilities through the many disease-ridden bugs that ferment it. Steeping it in boiling water eliminates any disease risk, but drinking it gives the consumer the ability to control the plagues that the germs that infested it would have caused. This offensive ability is one of the few reasons why anybody in Altairus consumes Misery Mire tea.

A real-life recreation of Woodland Laborer’s Breakfast Blend using equal parts English Breakfast and Yunnan Puer. And yes, that is a repurposed Harney & Sons tin.

Tea Varieties (Pure Leaf)

Black/Dark Teas

Typhonic Tea

Energies: Darkness, Fire

Typhonic tea. Jack Thunder had heard about it before. Legend went that it was created when tea leaves were smoked over logs set alight by a dragon's flame. The leaves absorbed the smoke, making them smell like a barbecue pit. That's what Jack Thunder thought of, anyway.

— From "Jack Thunder and the Fragments of Anima - Book 5: Fire"

Typhonic tea is an Altairian black tea that is produced by smoking tea leaves over wood fires. Popular with Fire elementals, it is the equivalent of Lapsang Souchong in our world.

It is believed that the dragon Typhon was the one who set aflame the logs used to make the first batch of Typhonic tea, hence the name. While this is unconfirmed, the tea has been produced for many thousands of years.

Most Typhonic tea is grown and manufactured on the continent of Cirkea. Massive bonfires are kept alight all throughout the summer for the purpose of smoking this unique tea. The smoke from these fires infuses them with Fire magic, making Typhonic tea carry some of the same properties as Altairian green tea.

Misery Mire Tea

Energies: Earth

Kirami brought over two cups of tea; one for her and one for him. The smoky flavor was a bit strong. Not entirely to his taste. Still, it was better than the tea down in Misery Mire. That stuff was just as foul as the land it came from. Why anyone would want to drink something that smelled and tasted like rotting logs was beyond him.

— From "Jack Thunder and the Fragments of Anima - Book 5: Fire"

The tea in Misery Mire is unique among its kind. Unlike other teas in Altairus, Misery Mire tea is deliberately subject to fermentation before it is consumed. The microorganism-friendly environment of Misery Mire provides an ideal environment for this fermentation to occur.

No matter what method of fermentation is used, the end result is a dark tea with a strong rotting-wood scent. Despite its odor, it is quite popular in certain circles, particularly amongst Earth elementals. It is particularly popular as a stomachache cure.

Only dark teas produced within Misery Mire are considered true Misery Mire tea. Teas that are fermented with the same methods as Misery Mire tea but not produced in Misery Mire go by different names.

Common Blended Teas (Earthen Equivalents in Parentheses)

Woodland Laborer's Breakfast

Energies: Earth, Darkness

A blend commonly enjoyed by working-class Earth and Dark elementals. A mix of malty and earthy, woodsy flavors.

• Domerian Breakfast Black Tea (English Breakfast Blend)
• Misery Mire Tea (Shou Puer)

Unbirthday Cake Grey

Energies: Darkness (Light if rooibos is used instead of black tea)

A uniquely Altairian take on Earl Grey. Black tea and bergamot mingle with strawberries and vanilla to make a festive blend best suited for Vernal Equinox tea parties.

• Cha Plains Black Tea with Bergamot Oil (Earl Grey)
• Dried Strawberries
• Vanilla Beans (or Vanilla Extract)
• Orange Peel
• Cornflower Petals
• Crystallized Honey Granules

Spring's Bounty Green

Energies: Fire, Light

The spring berries used in this blend infuse it with Light energy. Good on ice during the late spring and early summer. May be spiked with a splash of hard liquor.

• Raindance Island Green Tea (Sencha Green Tea)
• Dried Raspberries
• Dried Strawberries
• Dried Blueberries
• Dried Blackberries
• Hibiscus Petals
• Rose Hips

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink