A Journey of Serenity

"From ancient rituals to modern teahouses, the allure of tea transcends borders and time. Discover how a simple leaf transformed societies, sparked revolutions, and calmed souls. Will you steep yourself in the traditions of the past or brew a new understanding for the future?" ― Information Tab

A Journey of Serenity
Exploration Stats
Episode	8
Theme	Tea
First Start	August 4th, 2023 (beta) September 27th, 2023 (production)
Chronology
Previous	Lurking in the Dark
Next	Good Vibrations

A Journey of Serenity is a limited time event that focuses on Tea. It features generators that produce Tea Leaves (A Journey of Serenity) and Tea Cups (A Journey of Serenity). It officially started on September 27th, 2023 (11 am EDT) and ended on October 3rd, 2023 (11 am EDT).

Story

Opening

"There is a widespread enjoyment among humans that captivates me. It's a ritual that binds individuals, unites communities, and bridges cultures. What is the key to its soothing essence? What makes it indispensable to humans across the globe?"

Ending

"I see now that tea is more than just a drink. It is a substance that brings together friends, families, and communities in the spirit of friendship, relaxation, and peace. Beyond its aromatic flavors and soothing warmth, tea's most enchanting characteristic is its ability to foster human connection."

Badges

These are three of the rewards which affects all other trees. They are Harvested Serenity, Tea of Life, and Russell's Teapot.

Harvested Serenity

"Before a hard day's work in the tea fields, reward yourself with a soul-soothing brew crafted from hand-plucked tea leaves."

Tea of Life

"The branches of tea culture extend and flourish across the globe, continuously evolving into ever more diverse traditions, customs, and rituals."

Russell's Teapot

"Similar to philosopher Bertrand Russell's Teapot Analogy, the global spread of tea isn't physically observable. Unlike an orbiting teapot in space, tea's impact is evidenced in a more subtle, but impactful way: through a universal language of hospitality."

Objectives and Rewards

Explore Tea (10 Requirements)

1. Collect Wild Tea Plant (50) (Rewards: Logit Console2)
2. Collect Origin Myth (1), Tea Plantation (1) (Rewards: Logit Console3)
3. Collect Tea Evolution (10) (Rewards: Harvested Serenity)
4. Collect Arabic Shai (1), Moroccan Atai (1) (Rewards: Logit Console4)
5. Collect Infused Tea (10) (Rewards: Logit Console6)
6. Collect British Tea (1), High Tea (1), Masala Chai (1) (Rewards: Tea of Life)
7. Collect Unconventional Tea (30) (Rewards: Logit Console8)
8. Collect Tea Latte (1), Tea Simulator (1) (Rewards: Logit Console12)
9. Collect Bubble Tea (1) (Rewards: Logit Console15)
10. Collect Shared Serenity (1) (Rewards: Russell's Teapot)

Generators

Name	Description	Cost	Base Production
Wild Tea Plant	"Tea plants are small trees native to East Asia, where they grew wild before humans began cultivating them. They are also known by the scientific name 'Camellia sinensis'."	A Journey of Serenity 15	A Journey of Serenity 1
Domesticated Tea Plant	"The domestication of tea plants began around 2,000 years ago in China. Tea containers have been found in tombs dating from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) alongside deceased emperors' other priceless treasures."	A Journey of Serenity 75,000	A Journey of Serenity 500
Tea Plantation	"Farming tea plants is a complex process of cultivating, pruning, harvesting, drying, and storing. Tending to the plants carefully is important, as a single plant can produce tea for at least 100 years."	A Journey of Serenity 50 M	A Journey of Serenity 125,000
Tea Evolution	"Over time, tea evolved from being a healing treatment to a popular social and cultural drink. It became valued for its flavor, aroma, and the rituals associated with its preparation."	A Journey of Serenity 5 M	A Journey of Serenity 1.3
Matcha	"This powdered variant of green tea has strong cultural ties to Japan. Matcha's history in Japan began as early as the 8th century, when priests and envoys from the country were sent to learn about China's culture."	A Journey of Serenity 1 M	A Journey of Serenity 200
Loose-leaf Tea	"Loose-leaf's popularity can be tracked all the way back to Ancient China. During his reign, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang replaced all brick and powdered tea with loose-leaf to boost the economy. It was a strategic choice that still impacts the tea market to this day."	A Journey of Serenity 300 M	A Journey of Serenity 25,000
Infused Tea	"Infusion refers to the process of steeping ingredients like orange peel or ginger in tea. This creates unique and flavorful variations that wow the tastebuds and bring new dimensions to established blends."	A Journey of Serenity 40 T	A Journey of Serenity 2.00 B
Unconventional Tea	"As tea cultures intermingle and innovation blooms, the once defined boundaries of traditional tea dissolve. This paves the way for the emergence of the next popular tea sensations."	A Journey of Serenity 5 qi	A Journey of Serenity 1.00 Qa
Virtual Tea	"As social get-togethers increasing occur in the virtual world, so do tea rituals. Whether formal or just a casual video-chat catch up, a time-honored tradition adapts to the modern age."	A Journey of Serenity 50 Sx	A Journey of Serenity 4.00 qi

Upgrades

Wild Tea Plant Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Cultivation	125%	"Tea is mainly grown on farms in tropical or sub-tropical environments with acidic soil. Many farms also favor high elevation which slows down the plant's growth and improves the flavor."	A Journey of Serenity150	1x Wild Tea Plant
Health Benefits	100%	"Tea has a variety of health benefits. It carries enzymes that help with digestion and antioxidants for lowering inflammation. It also packs a natural caffeinated energy boost that has long helped humans stay active."	A Journey of Serenity1,000	Cultivation
Defense Response	100%	"To ward away insect attackers, tea plants produce certain compounds, like caffeine, that act as a natural insecticide. Incidentally, these compounds also enhance the flavor and potency of tea for humans."	A Journey of Serenity2,500	Health Benefits
Tea Meals	125%	"In ancient Asia, tea was often used as an ingredient in savory meals. Combining hot tea and grain porridge results in an extremely efficient and energizing meal."	A Journey of Serenity8,000	Health Benefits
Chagayu	100%	"A Japanese tea porridge made by cooking rice in boiled green tea. It is especially popular in Nara, where it's eaten as a healthy breakfast that packs a caffeinated kick."	A Journey of Serenity200,000	Tea Meals
Herbal Medicine	200%	"In addition to its role as a food, tea has long been used as a herbal remedy. It is a natural immune booster, a mental stimulant, and a great source of antioxidants."	A Journey of Serenity400,000	Chagayu
Ochazuke	1E+07%	"A Japanese dish where green tea, dashi, or water is poured over steamed rice. Add toppings like salted salmon, pickled plum, and sesame seeds to create a delicious light meal."	A Journey of Serenity2.50 T	Tea Meals

Domesticated Tea Plant Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Origin Myth	100%	"One day in 2737 BCE, some leaves drifted into Chinese emperor Shennong's boiling water. He let them steep, resulting in a delicious aroma and flavor. Legend has it this was the beginning of tea's journey."	A Journey of Serenity2.00 M	1x Domesticated Tea Plant
Calm Body and Mind	200%	"Even though tea plants contain caffeine, it also contains an amino acid called theanine which has a calming effect on the body and is known to reduce stress."	A Journey of Serenity10.00 M	Herbal Medicine
Digestion	150%	"The caffeine in tea makes it a much-used digestion aid after a meal, accelerating gut movement. Many cultures add soothing herbs to the equation such as peppermint or fennel."	A Journey of Serenity40.00 M	Calm Body and Mind
Anti-inflammatory	2,000%	"Tea contains compounds called "flavonoids", which are thought to reduce inflammation in the body. Flavonoids are part of the plant's defense mechanism against insects and disease."	A Journey of Serenity700.00 M	Calm Body and Mind
Weight Management	100,000%	"The compound EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) is particularly high in green tea and is often associated with weight management. This is because EGCG, taken alongside caffeine, can boost the metabolism."	A Journey of Serenity20.00 T	Anti-inflammatory, Digestion

Tea Plantation Efficiency

Tea Plant Management

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Pruning	125%	"Farmers trim the branches of tea plants to keep them at waist-level for harvesting and to stimulate new growth. If left uncut, the plants would grow to become trees."	A Journey of Serenity9.00 B	1x Tea Plantation
Harvesting	150%	"All varieties of caffeinated tea, from green to black, come from the same plant. The only difference is harvesting time. Green tea comes from younger leaves, while black tea is made from more mature ones."	A Journey of Serenity150.00 B	Pruning
Scissors	100%	"Today most tea is harvested by machine, but tea harvesters of the past used relatively small and delicate scissors. These dainty implements were used to carefully remove leaves without harming the plant."	A Journey of Serenity400.00 B	Harvesting
Harvesting Machinery	100%	"Tea harvesting machines reduce the need for human labor by plucking leaves using rotating arms with clippers attached. They are cleverly designed to avoid damaging the plant or over-plucking."	A Journey of Serenity6.00 T	Scissors
Soil Acidity	400%	"Farmers conduct soil testing to assess nutrient and pH levels for their tea plants. If the balance is off, they amend the soil with fertilizers, organic matter, or dolomitic lime as needed."	A Journey of Serenity10.00 T	Harvesting Machinery
Fertilizer	100%	"Some of the best organic options for tea plant fertilizer include fish meal, bone meal, and wood ash. Farmers apply the fertilizer before monsoon season to make sure the plants absorb as much as possible without it getting washed away."	A Journey of Serenity90.00 T	Soil Acidity
Pest and Disease Control	300%	"Chemical pesticides are often used in tea farming, but many organic growers are seeking alternatives to potentially harmful chemicals. These alternatives include introducing fungus that is poisonous to tea plant pests as a natural insect-repellant."	A Journey of Serenity900.00 T	Fertilizer
Vertical Farming	250%	"Vertical farming uses innovative watering and lighting techniques to create farms that can grow tea year-round, even in cold climates where tea plants would never naturally survive."	A Journey of Serenity6.00 Qa	Pest and Disease Control
Irrigation System	300%	"One of the most efficient forms of crop watering is drip irrigation, which drips water slowly onto a plant's roots. A primitive form of drip irrigation was even present in Ancient China, when pots of water were buried under the ground to feed plant roots."	A Journey of Serenity15.00 Qa	Vertical Farming
Mechanical Plucking	750%	"Mechanized harvesting reduces the steep cost of production for tea, but it also leads to a loss of quality. Machines are not able to identify which leaves are perfectly mature in the same way that skilled human harvesters can."	A Journey of Serenity200.00 Qa	Irrigation System
Drone Technology	1,000%	"Drones equipped with cameras and sensors are used in some commercial plantations to monitor plant health and assess the maturity of tea leaves. This tech helps farmers make decisions about harvest timing and crop strategy."	A Journey of Serenity800.00 Qa	Mechanical Plucking
Monitoring System	500%	"Sensors run throughout plantations to monitor environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. Real-time data and automation optimizes growth conditions and alerts farmers of any issues."	A Journey of Serenity20.00 qi	Drone Technology Unconventional Tea

Tea Production Management

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Storing	100%	"Not all tea has the same shelf life. Black tea lasts longer than green due to a longer fermentation period. It can retain its flavor for up to two years, as long as it's in an airtight, room-temperature container."	A Journey of Serenity100.00 M	1x Tea Plantation
Drying	100%	"After tea leaves are harvested, they need to be dried to stop deterioration caused by moisture. Drying also caramelizes sugars, adding flavor and color to the finished product."	A Journey of Serenity30.00 B	Storing
Roasting	125%	"As an alternative to drying, tea leaves are sometimes roasted in clay or iron pots over charcoal fires. Roasted tea is known as 'hojicha' in Japan, and boasts reduced caffeine and a less vegetal flavor than unroasted teas."	A Journey of Serenity800.00 B	Drying
Fermentation	250%	"Particularly flavorful teas are often highly fermented. The aging process can span several years, resulting in unique and highly-prized teas. The most famous example of a fermented or 'dark' tea is Yunnan pu-erh."	A Journey of Serenity200.00 T	Grinding

Tea Evolution Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Tea Contest	400%	"International tea competitions see judges evaluate tea samples based on criteria such as taste, aroma, and appearance. These contests bring people together to celebrate exceptional teas and tea masters."	A Journey of Serenity100	1x Tea Evolution
Silk Road Trade	1500%	"This trade route began in the 2nd century BCE and brought goods like silk, ceramics, and tea from China to the rest of Asia. This sparked entirely new markets for tea consumption."	A Journey of Serenity100.00 M	1x Matcha
Arabic Shai	250%	"This strong black tea is often served in a glass rather than a mug and plays a significant role in Middle Eastern hospitality. Mint, cardamom, sugar, and sometimes a dash of milk are popular additions to Arabic shai."	A Journey of Serenity250.00 M	Silk Road Trade
Moroccan Atai	200%	"A traditional tea drink in North Africa, especially Morocco and Algeria. The tea is prepared by steeping green tea leaves with mint and sugar, creating a fragrant and sweet beverage."	A Journey of Serenity400.00 M	Silk Road Trade
AI Automation	2E+15%	"Tea farming, like all farming, is being revolutionized by the advent of AI. Coupled with sensors that track conditions, artificial intelligence can instruct farmers on when to increase water, add fertilizer, or begin harvesting."	A Journey of Serenity90.00 qi	Monitoring System

Matcha Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Whisking	100%	"To prepare matcha, the drinker whisks the powder in hot water with a 'chasen'. The fine bamboo tines of the chasen are necessary to achieve a smooth, velvety texture and avoid pesky clumps."	A Journey of Serenity15.00 M	1x Matcha
Foam Art	1,000,000%	"Whisked teas like matcha have foam tops that can be used to draw artistic designs, similar to latte art. These designs can get quite elaborate, like full mountain scenes or even detailed anime characters made out of foam."	A Journey of Serenity500.00 B	Whisking
Chanoyu	1,500%	"Also known as "the way of the tea," this is a traditional Japanese ceremony for the preparation of matcha. Chanoyu is rooted in Zen Buddhism and has deep historical and cultural significance in Japan."	A Journey of Serenity5.00 T	Foam Art
Grinding	150%	"Tea leaves are commonly ground in stone mills, creating a concentrated powder which can then be steeped using a tea bag. Alternatively, this powder can be whisked into hot water, as is the case with matcha."	A Journey of Serenity40.00 T	1x Matcha and Roasting

Loose-leaf Tea Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Steeping	200%	"The act of releasing a tea's flavor and nutrients in hot water. Steep too long and the tea might turn bitter, steep too little, and it won't be flavorful. Connoisseurs use special timers to get the balance just right."	A Journey of Serenity2.50 B	1x Loose-leaf Tea
Darye	250%	"Darye, or "etiquette for tea," is a traditional Korean tea ceremony involving the preparation of Korean green tea, called nokcha. It emphasizes mindfulness, contemplation, and the appreciation of nature."	A Journey of Serenity30.00 B	Steeping
Trade to Europe	300%	"In the 16th century, European merchants introduced tea to the Western masses. Tea's popularity grew rapidly in Europe, becoming a fashionable beverage among the upper classes."	A Journey of Serenity80.00 B	1x Loose-leaf Tea
Yunnan Pu-erh Tea	400%	"Sourced from wild tea plants growing in the Yunnan province in China, pu-erh is a distinct and flavorful fermented tea. It is traditionally shaped into discs, commonly referred to as "tea cakes" or "tea pies", for portability."	A Journey of Serenity5.00 Qa	1x Loose-leaf Tea
Tea Brick	5,000%	"To make a tea brick, tea leaves are compressed into a solid block. This compression helps to minimize air exposure, retain freshness, and prevent damage during transit."	A Journey of Serenity50.00 Qa	Yunnan Pu-erh Tea, Fermentation

Infused Tea Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
British Tea	800%	"Black tea is the default tea of England. It's typically served with milk and sugar. The British are so fond of tea that they originated "teatime," an umbrella term for several different meals centered around the drink."	A Journey of Serenity100.00 T	1x Infused Tea
Masala Chai	100%	"Masala chai is made by brewing tea with milk, water, sugar, and spices like cardamom and nutmeg. This flavorful and warming beverage is generally made out of an Assam black tea base, though Darjeeling and Nilgiri are also commonly used."	A Journey of Serenity1.00 Qa	1x Infused Tea
Boiling	300%	"This preparation can bring out more antioxidants and an extremely concentrated flavor, but it isn't for every type of tea. While black and white teas boil well, green tea gets bitter and loses some of its nutritional impact."	A Journey of Serenity7.50 Qa	Masala Chai
High Tea	750%	"High tea, also known as afternoon tea, is a sophisticated and internationally renowned British ritual involving a tiered platter of pastries and sandwiches accompanying a pot of high-quality tea."	A Journey of Serenity120.00 Qa	British Tea
Tea House	200,000%	"Tea shops introduce drinkers to flavors and rituals that deepen their knowledge of their global neighbors. They're also great places to focus. At Chad's Chai Teahouse in North Carolina, you might even see someone working on Cell to Singularity!"	A Journey of Serenity8.00 Sx	High Tea
Assam Tea	100%	"A tea strain hailing from the Assam region of northeastern India. The wild tea plants in this region have larger leaves and are characterized by their bold and malty flavor, which lend themselves to breakfast blends."	A Journey of Serenity400.00 Qa	Masala Chai
Storage Jar	500%	"Specialized tea jars are used to store leaves in airtight conditions. These jars are typically made of ceramic or porcelain and help protect the leaves from exposure to light, air, and odors."	A Journey of Serenity600.00 Qa	Assam Tea, Tea Brick

Unconventional Tea Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Iced Tea	100%	"This refreshing tea variant is often enjoyed during hot summer months. Iced tea can be made using any type of tea and is often sweetened and infused with flavors like lemon, peach, or mint."	A Journey of Serenity400.00 qi	1x Unconventional Tea
Cold Brew	150%	"This type of tea is made by steeping leaves in cold or room temperature water for an extended period of time. This preparation yields a sweeter, smoother iced tea with less harsh tannins."	A Journey of Serenity3.00 Sx	Iced Tea
Herbal Tea	500%	"Some "teas" don't actually contain any real tea leaves. Herbal tea is made from dried herbs like mint or chamomile, and is perfect for those who want to avoid caffeine. There are also fruit and flower tea variants that feature refreshing flavors and vibrant colors."	A Journey of Serenity70.00 Sx	Iced Tea
Tea Latte	400%	"Tea lattes are a frothy fusion of tea and steamed milk. One popular variant is the chai latte, which combines black tea and warm milk with a spice blend including cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves."	A Journey of Serenity200.00 Sx	Herbal Tea
Tea Cocktail	2,000%	"Tea has found its way into the realm of mixology as bartenders craft increasingly creative tea cocktails. Early Grey-infused gin, jasmine tea martinis, and green tea mojitos are just a few delicious examples."	A Journey of Serenity1.50 Sp	Herbal Tea
Bubble Tea	500%	"Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and has since become a global sensation. Chewy tapioca pearls serve as "bubbles," while the tea itself is usually milky and sweet."	A Journey of Serenity30.00 Sp	Tea Latte
Tea Bag	150%	"A portion of tea leaves or tea dust sealed in a porous bag that is easy to infuse in hot water with no mess. This ease of use makes tea bags the method of choice for the majority of the world's tea drinkers."	A Journey of Serenity6.00 qi	1x Unconventional Tea, Storage Jar
Vacuum Sealer	150%	"Tea growers preserve tea leaves by removing air from the tea's packaging to create a tight seal. Eliminating oxygen and reducing exposure to moisture extends the tea's shelf life by a significant amount."	A Journey of Serenity30.00 qi	Tea Bag

Virtual Tea Efficiency

Name	Efficiency	Description	Cost	Requirements
Tea Simulator	300%	"Settle in with a cozy video game that celebrates the world of tea. From games that focus on tea ceremonies to RPGs where the player runs a cafe, there are many options that allow gamers to engage with this beloved beverage in the digital world."	A Journey of Serenity500.00 Sx	1x Virtual Tea
Online Tea Ceremony	500%	"Tea ceremonites that traditionally require physical presence are adapting to virtual settings. Participants can follow a tea master through streamed or recorded sessions, digitally immersing themselves."	A Journey of Serenity10.00 Sp	1x Virtual Tea
Shared Serenity	100%	"Whether it is through sharing a pot of tea, participating in a sacred ceremony, or bringing a warm mug to someone under the weather, people find connections through tea that go beyond borders."	A Journey of Serenity100.00 Sp	Tea Simulator, Online Tea Ceremony

Tech Tree

Duration(s)

September 27th, 2023 (11 am EDT) - October 3th, 2023 (11 am EDT)

Trivia

• This event's knowledge tree is shaped like a leaf. The upgrades branching from Cultivation form the left side of its margin and the upgrades encapsulating Tea Production Management form the right side of its margin. The other upgrades branching from the generators at the middle resemble the midrib and veins of the leaf. The last three upgrades, Tea Simulator, Online Tea Ceremony, and Shared Serenity, form the tip of the leaf. Obviously enough, this is a reference to tea leaves.
• The description of the Tea House upgrade hints at an employee of Computer Lunch being a regular at Chad's Chai Teahouse located in North Carolina. Neat!
• There is one of the longest pure upgrade chains in the game in the right of the leaf-shaped knowledge tree, consisting of the Tea Production Management chain and a Tea Evolution upgrade. This is a total of 13 upgrades in this chain before leading to Virtual Tea.