Elanthian Divination: Elves

Elanthian Divination: Elves is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

The Elves

Amongst the elves, the Art of Divination has wildly different schools of thought and varies from house to house and from city to city. A fine example of this can be seen by the difference in the reaction that an individual might receive from an elf of Ta’Vaalor and one from Ta’Loenthra. While the Loenthran elf may wish to sit and have a cup of tea with you, the Vaalorian would rather bid you leave for believing in such nonsense.

Indeed, it is by the use of tea that the Loenthran elf practices the art. It is believed that the future of an individual can be discerned by the remains left within a cup of tea that was properly brewed and consumed by the individual seeking an answer. When translating the tea leaves, the practitioner must consider a wide variety of symbols, letters, and images that can be found within the cup. However, before any of that can be done, there are certain rituals that must be observed.

First, the tea must be properly brewed by bringing a kettle or pot to a rolling boil. An infuser filled with the tea of choice must be added and then allowed to steep to a potency that is pleasing to the individual that is seeking the divination. While this all seems terribly simple and ordinary at first glance, when in the company of a Loenthran Diviner it is easy to see that it is truly an art form fashioned of style, grace, and dedication to genuinely aiding others.

Once the tea has been consumed, the cup is carefully examined for where the tea leaves are located. If they are found to be high within the bowl of the cup, then the time of the prediction is to be in the distance, while low in the cup means that the time is nearer to hand. Is there a place where the bottom of the cup is clear? If so, then it is suggested that the querent needs to find time to relax and rest. Clustered leaves can mean busy days, while a single leaf floating means that a friend will be at the forefront of the prediction.

The elven term for this type of divination roughly translates in common to "intention left in leaving", meaning that the drinker leaves behind clues to his future in the leavings at the bottom of his or her teacup. There are literally thousands of combinations to be considered when this method is used. A base of one-hundred and five symbols is looked for which can provide up to two hundred and ten possible translations, as each symbol can also be translated for a completely different meaning. A brief translation is provided herein, though there are many gaps in the chart.

Also clinging to a more naturalistic approach to the Art, the Ardenai have developed a method of Divination called Wind-sight. The manner in which this particular form is employed is rather simplistic and involves a querent drawing near to mind the question or matter that they seek to have resolved. After careful meditation, the individual must go outside to a clearing and carry with them some manner of natural debris. Dirt, leaves – oak leaves are popular for this – or even flower petals are lifted above the head and then released into the air; the answer comes in the pattern or means by which the debris reaches the ground. Things that are noted in particular involve the speed that the items travel at, the distance, and whether or not they remained clumped together. Unlike the Loenthran, the Ardenai hold close to them the means to translate this method and it is passed down from mother to daughter and from father to son. Some speculate that there are even different translations based upon the sex of the translator, thus making it difficult to pinpoint any one meaning.

In contrast to the three Houses mentioned above, the House of Nalfien has their own twist on divination that is more tailored to their conspiratorial natures. At some point in the history of the House, an artist gifted one of its noblewomen with an elegant deck of paper-thin, teak cards. Painted upon one side of each wooden card was the ebon rose of the House, while the other had elaborate images of various flowers and plants that could be found throughout the whole of Elanthia. It is speculated that the gift was intended to be a means of divining the future from an artist of House Loenthra. The noblewoman, however, scoffed at the thought that anyone but she could predict, and facilitate, her own future and thus the deck took on an entirely different purpose.

Ladies of the House can frequently be seen to employ use of the deck during women only functions, teas, or other gatherings as a means of communicating their feelings towards another woman. The two-hundred and eighteen cards would be shuffled and artfully arranged with skill and panache into the sequence that the shuffler wished and then flipped upon the table, while all present would feign their ignorance that the cards had fallen in anything but random patterns.

This is the reason behind the famous elven saying, "playing a Nalfein's hand", which is to say that any hand dealt by a Nalfein is arranged. This phrase is frequently seen in games where one player seems to be favored by the odds.

It is believed by many true practitioners of the Art that a Black Rose Deck could still provide a true prediction if properly employed, but there isn’t a Nalfein alive that would give it any credibility, though I have provided a translation chart herein.

Lastly, amongst the elves are those of House Illistim. The practice by which they study is difficult to pin down to one question one answer. Indeed, it takes an Illistim practitioner years and cycles of study to come to a single answer. However, when an answer is discovered – typically by studing years of weather, climate, migration, and global changes – it is more along the lines of a doctrine or almanac in its length and can frequently span a great distance of time.

Loenthran Tea Leaf Translations

Symbols	Meaning	Reverse
altar	suffering and sacrifice
anchor	security	insecurity
apple	fertility	---
arch	travel ahead	---
arrow	an attack	---
bat	a hidden fear
boat	a luck symbol - life is getting better	visitors or romance is coming
bone	forgetting 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
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
dagger	ware the two-faced
diamond	luck symbol ~ fortune
door	opportunity
double horseshoe	luck is ahead, open your heart
double line	your doubts are well founded
double triangle	wisdom from the past	wisdom from the future
egg	a birth
eye	study
eye patch	secrets are waiting
fat blossom	luck symbol ~ happiness in life	praise or compliments
fence	you are being restricted
fire	you are in a social phase 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
gate	a death	a visit
grapes	now is the time to fulfill your desires
gryphon	exciting new prospects	danger ahead
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
ice	hidden feelings	hidden factors
incomplete circle	a once in a lifetime offer
ivy	faith and endurance
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-discipline, responsibility	hard work is ahead, but worth it
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
mermaid	romance and creativity
mouse	pay attention to small details	ware what is hidden
nail	direct forceful action is needed	do not force the issue
necklace	a close bond
obelisk	an obstacle in your way	patience is needed
parasol	the unknown is here, but all is well	the unknown is here, all is not well
pear	optimism
pipe	take your time	move quickly
quill	communication is needed	communication is hindered
rattle	someone who acts childish	an attention seeker
ring	deep emotional commitment
rose	friendship and love
scale	balance is needed
scales	you need to weigh the pros and cons
scissors	you're being held back, cut the losses
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
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 lies ahead for you	you are power hungry
tower	feeling isolated
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
vase	you have too many secrets	you have stepped out of the shadows
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

Nalfien Black Rose Deck Translations

Symbols	Meaning
a curling broad-petaled white acacia blossom	elegance
a four-petaled pure white alyssum	worth beyond beauty, or insanity
an ovoid cluster of tiny dark pink amaranth blooms	immortality, or everlasting love
a textured petal coral amaryllis	pride
a transparent, multi-petaled dark purple anemone	expectation
a fan-like cluster of tiny white angelica flowers	inspiration
a shiny bright red apple with a thin stem	"Give in to temptation; let me tempt you"
a five-petaled blush pink apple blossom	preference
a spear-shaped pale green ash leaf	grandeur
a multi-veined heart-shaped golden aspen leaf	lamentation
a many-petaled bright golden aster	joy in variety, or depth of spirit
a cluster of pale purple trumpet-shaped azaleas	temperance
a spear-shaped glossy green bay leaf	deathless glory
a teardrop-shaped glossy pale green beech leaf	prosperity
a bright pink begonia with layered teardrop petals	gaudiness, or elegance
a serrated-edged teardrop dark green birch leaf	meekness
a foaming cascade of white pink-centered blaestonberry blossoms	childhood, or innocence
a pale pink bleeding-heart blossom with trailing dark red petals	heartbreak and longing
a sprig of pale bluebells with a ruffled fringe	constancy
a leafy dark orange bougainvillea blossom with a long stamen	playfulness
a dark green clover-shaped bur-clover leaf with red speckles	blindness
a round bristly grey burdock pod	touch me not
a wide-leafed dark yellow buttercup	material or spiritual riches
a cluster of coral-throated peach butterflyweed	"Let me go free"
a paddle-shaped strigae cactus	warmth of feeling
a stalk of drooping lavender calamintha	shyness
a multi-layered red camellia	unpretending excellence
a multi-layered white camellia	perfected loveliness
a triple-petaled dainty white chamomile blossom	energy in adversity
a tightly wrapped ruffle-petaled dark red carnation	love
a tightly wrapped ruffle-petaled pale pink carnation	pride
a tightly wrapped ruffle-petaled pale white carnation	purity
a tightly wrapped ruffle-petaled bright yellow carnation	disdain
a branch of stiff-needled cedar	strength
a wispy twelve-petaled purple chicory	frugality
a shaggy red chrysanthemum	"I love you"
a mult-layered white chrysanthemum	truth
a shaggy multi-layered yellow chrysanthemum	"I feel slighted"
a five-petaled pale yellow cinquefoil blossom	beloved child or perversion
a violet-stripped dagged fuchsia clematis	artifice and vanity
a cluster of bright clover blossoms	dignity
a dark green triple-petaled clover	industriousness
a dark green four-leafed clover	"Be mine"
a four-petaled dark purple clover blossom	providence
a four-petaled soft white clover blossom	"Think of me"
a star-shaped columbine	folly and desertion
a star-shaped purple columbine	resolution and determination
a star-shaped red columbine	anxiety
a feathery cluster of coriander dotted with black seeds	hidden value
a sprig of tiny white cothinar blossoms	wishes and dreams
a plump dark red cranberry	"I have the cure for your heart's hurt"
an exotic dark purple crocus	cheerfulness
a cluster of dark red currants	"Your tears hurt me"
a three-winged fuchsia cyclamen	diffidence
a drooping bough of leafy cypress	death
a pale dark yellow dandelion crown upon a long green stalk	respect and chivalry
a fire-tipped bright pink dahlia	good taste
a many petaled soft white daisy	innocence
a bright yellow dandelion surrounded by a fringe of green	coquetry, or spirituality
a cluster of blue-centered white delphira	peace in adversity
a wide teardrop-shaped white dogwood blossom	durability
a stalk of crimson dragonstalk	ferocity, or Ta'Vaalor
a simplistic seven-petal white dryad with blush tips	solitude
a cluster of tiny white edelweiss blossoms	longing
a jagged-edged yellow elm leaf	dignity
faewood	holy magic
fennel	strength
an arching dark green fern with silver heads	sincerity
feverfew	delay
fir	the test of time
fireleaf	fiery temper
flamestalk	pleasant memories
flax	fate
flytrap	deceit
a long foxglove stem with pale purple flowers	insincerity and danger
freesia	calm
the silhouette of a fully bloomed gardenia	purity
a lush bright red gardenia	"I request a meeting"
a wilted dark red gardenia	melancholy
a luscious pale pink gardenia	"I prefer you"
an extravagant soft white gardenia	true friendship
gentian	"You are unjust"
gladiola	strong character
gloxinia	proud spirit
glowbark	radiance of spirit
goldenrod	encouragement
gorse	anger
hawthorne	hope despite all
hazel	reconciliation
a stalk of dark purple heather	untameable
heliotrope	devotion
hellebore	scandal, and the Arkati Luukos
hemlock	"You will be the death of me"
hibiscus	delicate beauty
a cluster of holly berries upon a dark sprig with glossy leaves	foresight
hollyhock	ambition
a tangle of pale white honeysuckle	devoted love
hostas	vitality
hyacinth	playful games
hydrangea	heartlessness
Imaera's lace	wonder, and the Arkati Imaera
iceblossom	truth
illthorn	"I cannot stop thinking about you"
iris	"Believe me"
ironwood	unbending strength
a trailing vine of pale green ivy	fidelity
jasmine	amiability
juniper	"I will protect you"
lady's slipper	"I submit to your whim"
larch	audacity
larkspur	fickleness
laurel	glory
a cluster of dark purple lavendar	mistrust
a bough of dark purple lilac	first emotion of love
lily (day)	coquetry
lily (snow)	gratitude
lily (stargazer)	high breeding
lily-of-the-valley	return of happiness
lor	immortality through love
lotus	estranged love, or eloquence
lotus (black)	exotic beauty
lotus (blue)	a dream state
a beautiful wide-petaled white magnolia	natural beauty
maple	reserve
a fringed golden marigold	jealousy
meadowsweet	uselessness
mezereon	flirtatiousness
mint	virtue
monkeyflower	laughter
a velvety large purple moonflower	forgetfulness
a vine of multi-hued morning glories	vainglory
mournbloom	grief and mourning
mulberry	"I shall not survive you"
myrrh	gladness
narcissus	egotism
a star-shaped purple nightshade	sorcery
oak	bravery or hospitality
oleander	"Beware"
orange blossom	bridal festivities
orchid	beauty
pansy	thought
pansy (snow)	"Think of me"
a bright green peapod cradling several peas	an appointed meeting
peach blossom	"I am your beauty's captive"
pear blossom	with affection
pennyroyal	"Flee me"
a delicate pale pink peony	bashfulness
peppermint	warmth of feeling
petunia	"I am not proud"
phlox	unity
a cluster of dark green pine needles	pity
plum blossoms	"Promises to keep"
a large deep red poppy	outrageous extravagance
a wide-petaled soft white poppy	sleep
primrose	early youth
primrose (fairy)	enchantment
Queen's lace	"Do not command me"
a cluster of purplish-red raspberries	remorse
the silhouette of a fully bloomed rose	love and beauty, and the Arkati Oleani
a velvety fully bloomed black rose	subterfuge, or Ta'Nalfein
a half-bloomed dark cabbage rose	ambassador of love
a small dark pink dog rose	pleasure mixed with pain
a gorgeous pure white Elanthian snow rose	perfection
a tiny pale moss rose	true merit
a delicate soft pink rose	romance
a wide-petaled sanguine rose	"I love you"
a hearty dark swamp rose with barbed vines	"Prove yourself to me"
a delicate white rose with blush inner petals	purity
an extravagant wild rose	simplicity
a full soft white rose	silence
a large bright yellow rose	friendship
a tightly coiled dark red rosebud	a confession of love
a tightly coiled soft white rosebud	a heart too young to love
rose-marrow	a hidden heart
a sprig of slender pale green rosemary	rememberance
rowan	ancient mystery
rue	utter disdain
a velvety moss green sage leaf	esteem
saloryss	suffocation
sephwir	sylvan beauty, or Yuriqen
sirensong	prophecy, and the Arkati Jastev
snapdragon	presumption
sneezeweed	mockery
sovyn	"It is not yet time"
a dark seed-speckled red strawberry	sweetness
a wide-petaled bright yellow sunflower	devotion and admiration
a triple-petaled pale purple sweet pea	delicate pleasures
sycamore	curiosity
salneo	dreaminess
thistle	austerity
thyme	vitality
trefoil	revenge
trillium	modest beauty, or hope despite pain
tuberose	dangerous pleasure
a glossy pale tulip	fame
a black tulip with glossy petals	cruelty
a pale and dainty glossy ice tulip	caution
a dark red tulip with glossy petals	a declaration of love
a hearty tulip with variegated petals	beautiful eyes
a pale and dainty yellow tulip	hopeless love
valerian	an accommodating personality
verbena	family union
vervain	feminine enchantment
a delicate violet surrounded by wide leaves	candid words
a dainty periwinkle-blue violet	friendship and remembrance
a flame-rapped dark fiery violet	brilliance
a velvety dark purple violet	faithful love
a wide-petaled pale wood violet	secrecy
a large white water lily resting upon a verdant pad	contemplation
a slender branch of black willow speckled with elliptical leaves	love forsaken, or freedom
a bough of trailing purple wisteria	"I cling to thee"
a tangled dark witchwood bush	eldritch power
a stalk of deep purple wolfsbane blooms	betrayal
a sprig of blue-green bristled wormwood	absence
a blue-throated ruffled violet woth blossom	blessed beauty
a gnarled wyrmwood branch speckled with brackish green flowers	dangerously wild
a bristly sprig of yew with hollowed red berries	sorrow
a triple-tiered bright orange zinnia with yellow accents	thoughts of an absent friend