teabega

Teabega is a ceremonial beverage and accompanying ritual from the fictional Archipelago of Lir, as described in fantasy literature and role-playing game materials. The term is used to denote both the drink itself and the social ceremony that centers around it, often performed to welcome guests, seal agreements, or mark important occasions.

Etymology and ingredients are varied in in-universe sources. Some trace teabega to the language of the Nuri people, combining a word for tea with a root meaning to share. Others treat it as a modern compound created by urban writers. The beverage is typically a black tea base blended with aromatic additives such as dried citrus peel, mint, and a small amount of salt or honey. It is traditionally prepared in a clay vessel and poured into small cups from a height to aerate the infusion.

Ritual steps commonly observed in teabega include a formal greeting, a cleansing or purifying gesture, the careful brewing in a pot often called a teacap, and a clockwise pour toward each guest. A concluding toast accompanies the final serving. The ceremony emphasizes hospitality, trust, and communal storytelling, and it may accompany weddings, negotiations, or seasonal festivals.

Variants exist across regions within the fictional setting. Coastal communities lean toward citrus-forward blends with subtle sea salt, while inland groups favor honeyed or spiced preparations such as cardamom and cloves. In modern game supplements, teabega serves as a diplomatic or social lubricant that frames introductions and dialogue. See also: tea ceremony, hospitality rituals, fictions of the Archipelago of Lir.