The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
A Taste of Truth - Tea Leaves
During Ebon Gate of 5106 there was a shop called "A Taste of Truth" that sold tea leaves you could brew. A byproduct of this brewing was that leaves appeared in the bottom of the cup that left images for viewing. Since then, other shops have sold similar teas, including the Tea Room of the Wehnimer's Landing Baker's Shop and Tea-Lightful.
Example Messaging
>drink my teacup
You take a drink from your rose blossom teacup. Subtle flavors of tart lychee, kiwi, and mango infuse the light vanilla body of the white tea, adding a sweet fruit-like aftertaste.
The tea is a bit weak.
As you finish your sip, you notice some leavings at the bottom of the teacup.
You have one quaff left.
>look in my teacup (1st look)
Gazing down into the nearly empty teacup, you notice some leavings low in the cup. Turning the teacup slightly, you see the letter "L" formed by some leavings. Tilting the teacup toward you, you make out the image of a flying bird in the leavings.
>look in my teacup (2nd look)
You turn the teacup and view the leavings inside at a different angle, making out the images of a lute from this point of view.
>look in my teacup (3rd look)
You turn the teacup and view the leavings inside at a different angle, making out the images of a shoes from this point of view.
>look in my teacup (4th look and beyond)
You turn the teacup in an attempt to discern any other images in the leavings, but fail to notice any other than what you originally saw.
Translations
Below you will find a set of translations.
Leaves at First Glance
Each leaf is left at a certain place in the cup and upon first viewing of the leaves you can find out certain things.
Here is the translation for that position:
Leaf Translations
Various images appear in the tea leaves and they are arranged below by letter.
| Arrangement |
Translation
|
| Leaves are low in the cup
|
The time frame is distant
|
| a single leaf clinging to the edge
|
meeting a new friend
|
| several floating leaves
|
busy days
|
| a single floating leaf on the surface
|
coming money
|
| Leaves are high in the cup
|
the time frame is near
|
| a clear unhindered surface
|
rest and relaxation
|
A
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| altar
|
suffering and sacrifice
|
---
|
| Anchor
|
Security
|
Insecurity
|
| apple
|
Fertility
|
---
|
| Arch
|
Travel ahead
|
---
|
| arrow
|
an attack
|
---
|
B
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| Bat
|
A hidden fear
|
--
|
| boat
|
A Luck Symbol - Life is getting better
|
Vistors or romance is coming
|
| Bone
|
Fogetting old injustices
|
|
| bottle
|
caution, moderation is needed
|
---
|
| bow
|
someone is using force on you
|
----
|
| bowl
|
enjoy what is coming
|
enjoy what you are
|
| Box
|
A gift is given
|
A gift is taken
|
| Bridge
|
Mending a quarrel or rift
|
widening a quarrel or rift
|
C
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| castle
|
broaden your horizons
|
Defend your home
|
| Cat
|
you are aloof
|
a friend is aloof
|
| cat
|
deceit and lies are ahead
|
|
| cauldron
|
Creativity is key
|
Criticism is hurtful
|
| chain
|
engagement is ahead
|
|
| Chair
|
Someone new is coming into life
|
Someone old is Leaving your life
|
| closed lock
|
restriction ahead
|
adaptability needed
|
| cloud
|
confusion, wait and all will be clear
|
|
| clover
|
Luck Symbol ~ Extreme luck in Life
|
the gods favor you
|
| coin
|
money ahead
|
|
| crescent moon
|
changes are ahead
|
|
| cup
|
your chances are coming
|
do not seek more then you have
|
D
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| dagger
|
ware the two face
|
|
| diamond
|
Luck Symbol ~ Fortune
|
|
| Door
|
opportunity
|
|
| double horse shoe
|
Luck is head, open your heart
|
|
| double line
|
your doubts are well founded
|
|
| double triangle
|
wisdom from the past
|
wisdom from the future
|
E
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| egg
|
a birth
|
|
| eye
|
Study
|
|
| eye patch
|
secrets are waiting
|
|
F
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| fat blossom
|
Luck Symbol ~ Happiness in life
|
Praise or compliments
|
| fence
|
you are being restricted
|
|
| Fire
|
you are in a social phace of life
|
|
| flame
|
intense feelings
|
envy
|
| flying bird
|
good news arriving
|
|
| fork
|
tricky situation ahead, caution
|
Do not make a choice now
|
| full circle
|
money is coming your way
|
---
|
| full moon
|
listen to your dreams
|
|
G
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| gate
|
a death
|
a visit
|
| grapes
|
Now is the time to fulfill your desires
|
|
| Gryphon
|
Exciting new prospects
|
Danger ahead
|
H
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| hammer
|
hard work ahead
|
|
| hand
|
appreciate those around you
|
you are being too strict
|
| heart
|
mending family matters
|
starting a new romance
|
| horseshoe
|
Lucky Symbol ~ good fortune
|
Safe travels
|
| hourglass
|
finish what you have started
|
|
I
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| Ice
|
Hidden Feelings
|
Hidden factors
|
| incomplete circle
|
a once in a life-time offer
|
a missing piece in the puzzle
|
| Ivy
|
Faith and endurance
|
|
K
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| Key
|
Opportunity for improvement
|
Lorminstra's favor
|
| knife
|
caution in what you say
|
look over your shoulder
|
| kraken
|
be prepared
|
flexibility is needed
|
| Krrska
|
self-displine, responsibility
|
Hard work is head but worth it
|
L
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| ladder
|
promotion ahead
|
|
| lamp
|
light after a period of doubt
|
doubt without hope
|
| lemur
|
harmony at home
|
|
| Letters of the Alphabet
|
Represent People
|
Negative Influence
|
| lute
|
music lover
|
music hater
|
M
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| Mermaid
|
Romance and creativity
|
|
| mouse
|
pay attention to small details
|
ware what is hidden
|
N
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| nail
|
direct forceful action is needed
|
Do not force the issue
|
| necklace
|
a close bond
|
|
O
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| obelisk
|
an obstacle in your way
|
patience is needed
|
P
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| parasol
|
the unknown is here but all is well
|
the unknown is here all is not well
|
| pear
|
optomisim
|
|
| pipe
|
take your time
|
move quickly
|
Q
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| quill
|
communication is needed
|
communication is hindered
|
R
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| rattle
|
someone who acts childish
|
an attention seeker
|
| ring
|
deep emotional commitment
|
|
| rose
|
friendship and love
|
|
S
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| scale
|
balance is needed
|
|
| scales
|
You need to way the pros and cons
|
|
| scissors
|
your being held back, cut the loses
|
|
| series of dots
|
a long journey
|
|
| shoes
|
You are on the right path
|
you are on the wrong path
|
| sickle
|
you have earned all you gained
|
a warning to be cautious
|
| single bird
|
a messenger
|
|
| single line
|
do not take risks at this time
|
|
| snake
|
you are being tempted to stray
|
|
| spade
|
dig deeper for your truths
|
|
| spiral
|
creativity is needed to solve
|
|
| spoon
|
keep your own council
|
confide in those you trust
|
| square
|
you must overcome your fears
|
|
| standing bird
|
a delay in news
|
|
| straight line
|
ending of a journey
|
|
| sun
|
live life to the fullest
|
|
| sword
|
a dispute
|
a peaceful ending
|
T
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| teardrops
|
open up, your honesty is needed
|
You are showing too much, be cautious
|
| Temple
|
Adhere to your Arkati
|
The gods are watching
|
| tent
|
a place of shelter
|
there is no place safe
|
| throne
|
power lays ahead for you
|
you are power hungry
|
| tower
|
feeling issolated
|
|
| tree
|
you are independent
|
independence is ahead
|
| trident
|
a symbol of the sea's favor
|
fate is with you
|
| twined snakes
|
Go for what you want
|
|
V
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| vase
|
You have too many secrets
|
you have stepped out of the shadows
|
W
| Image |
Translation |
Alternate/Reverse Translation
|
| wavy line
|
high emotions
|
|
| wheel
|
go with the flow
|
|
| window
|
remember your instincts
|
|
| Winged One
|
Protection
|
Vulnerability
|
| wings
|
you need to rise above the situation
|
|
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