- Halfling saying
I read a lot of books on witches. An inordinate amount really. The one thing that has seemed to have entered into the cultural zeitgeist of most modern witch authors is that witches, in general, are addicted to tea. Good, bad, or somewhere in between these seems to be the brew of choice for many witches.
Any witch with the ability to Brew Potions (either as a class ability or feat) can also Brew Tea.
Often the materials needed for brewing tea are much less expensive than what a witch might need for a full alchemical workshop. Even witches with no interests in alchemy as a science can and will brew tea.
Equipment
The tea brewing witch needs the following to brew any sort of tea; magical or mundane.
Full Tea set. This includes
- Teapot, porcelain or silver, never copper.
- Pot, kettle, or small cauldron to boil water, this should be copper
- silver tea infuser
- cups, saucers, plates, spoons for 4-6
- urn for sugar
- small pitcher for cream or milk
- serving plate for cakes or cookies
- silver tea service tray
- Tea leaves of the appropriate type
This will typically run 100-150 gp for a quality set.
Many witches also prefer a small portable tripod to suspend their copper cauldron over a flame.
Depending on the tea the boiling water is either taken to the pot or the pot taken to the boiling water.
Types of Tea
The ingredients can vary from traditions, covens and even individual witches but all teas begin with tea and intent. The teas vary also between black, green, white, herbal or more exotic choices. Aromatics such a rose hips may also be added. The make the tea the witch brews the tea as she would mundane tea, but adds her intent and her magic to change the tea to the direction she wishes. Once complete the tea must be drunk to get the intended results.
Awareness
Almost always a black or ginger tea. This tea will provide a +1 to any Wisdom-based roll (saves, skills or checks) for 1 hour after drinking. Higher level witches can brew stronger brews adding 10 mins per their own level for others that drink it. The witch herself builds up a tolerance to the brew effects and only gains 1 hour regardless of level. This tea may only be drank once per two days.
Calming
Made with an herbal tea, this tea will remove the effects of a fear spell or similar condition. It will also contract the effects of a haste spell or potion and that of an Energizing or Envigorating tea.
Contemplative
Made with a green tea this brew will remove the effects of a charm spell or other similar magic.
Note: the Witch must be 5th level to brew this tea.
Energizing
Almost always a black tea. This tea will provide a +1 to any Strength-based roll (saves, skills or checks) for 1 hour after drinking. Higher level witches can brew stronger brews adding 10 mins per their own level for others that drink it. The witch herself builds up a tolerance to the brew effects and only gains 1 hour regardless of level. This tea may only be drank once per two days.
Envigorating
Almost always a black tea. This tea will provide a +1 to any Constitution-based roll (saves, skills or checks) for 1 hour after drinking. Higher level witches can brew stronger brews adding 10 mins per their own level for others that drink it. The witch herself builds up a tolerance to the brew effects and only gains 1 hour regardless of level. This tea may only be drank once per two days.
Fortune Telling
This is one of the more common tea rituals performed. Once the rea is drunk the witch looks into the cup to see what message the tea leaves can give her. This will function as a Divination spell where one question is asked, "What does the future hold?"
Note: A witch needs to be 5th level of higher to complete this ritual.
Friendship
This tea makes the participants more inclined towards each other. Not a charm, but a sense of companionship and friendship. Everyone is treated as if they had a +1 to Charisma rolls with respect to each other.
Healing
This tea usually begins as a simple black or green tea. The recipient is healed of 1d4 hp of damage.
Kitchen Witchery
Sometimes called "utility tea" this helps the witch in preparation of other potions or crafting magics. The witch may add +1 or +5% to her rolls for success.
Quiet
This tea relaxes the witch so she is not disturbed by outside noises. She has great concentration and can get a full 8 hours of sleep in 6 hours (or 6 hours in 4.5) but will always be surprised if attacked in this period (8 or 6 hours).
Third Eye Tea
This opens the witch's third eye and allows her to be better at scrying. Giving her a +1 or +5% to any roll she needs.
Witch's Tea
No special powers. It just tastes really, really good.
Teas can be combined with incense and other potions for added effects. Mixing teas though will result in an inert, and even worse, a foul-tasting liquid.
Cake and Tea Ritual
Level: Witch Ritual 1
Ritual Requirement: At least 2 witches, full tea set, cakes and tea
Range: All Participants
Duration: 24 Hours
This ritual is often performed at the end of the proper worship ceremonies of a coven, but it can also be performed as a means of two unfamiliar witches to break the ground towards friendship. Once complete the witches in the ritual will gain a +1 to all rolls for the next hour and will act as if they had a +1 to Charisma-based roll for the next 24. The witches also may not harm each other in any fashion or loose all benefits from this ritual.
Material Components: Cakes or cookies and the tea to be served.
