Thieves' cant

Thieves' cant, or simply cant, was the secret language spoken and signed by rogues, the priests of duplicitous deities, and criminals of the Realms.
==Description==
While some scholars believed thieves' cant was not a true language, it utilized a unique set of grammar, combined with local dialects, idioms, coded language, and hand gestures. 
While it allowed for secret communication between rogues and thieves of the Realms, thieves' cant did not exist independent of other languages. It was impossible for two thieves to communicate in cant, if they did not have at least one shared language.
Thieves' cant was said to be somewhat similar in form to the language of the Vistani people.
===Syntax & Grammar===
Some iterations of thieves' cant had unique sets of rules that governed its word usage, syntax, modifiers and tenses. 
• A strict word order: words were placed in specific, except when the meaning of a sentence should be changed. The word order was: time — verb — subject — place — indirect object — direct object. 
• No use of adjectives: modifying words were used to alter the state of a noun or verb, in context to their place in a sentence, and the adjacent to them. Thieves' cant used pronouns as suffixes to modify a verb's subject, or to shift focus from the subject to the verb.
• A unique form of pluralization and adjective magnitude: these were changed by repeating modifier words in rapid succession, in effect creating new words.
• Specific rules regarding verb tense: tenses were changed by placing specific time modifiers at the front of a sentence or question.
===Spoken===
Spoken thieves' cant utilized a narrower set of vowel sounds and elongated syllables. The first syllable of each word received primary stress, while odd syllables in longer words were given secondary stress. Some variants of thieves' cant employed a series of animal noises.
===Written===
There was no unique alphabet for thieves cant, as it was rarely if-ever transcribed onto parchment or scroll.
==Uses==
The main use of thieves' cant was to communicate illicit activities, such as banditry, burglary, finding marks, and the discussion of ill-gotten loot.
==History==
Thieves' cant had been spoken in Faerûn for centuries leading up to the Era of Upheaval, dating as far back as the -8 century DR.
Although it had evolved over the years, it was still spoken by the people of Faerûn as of the mid-to-late 14 century.
==Notable Users==
===Individuals===
* Albruin, the sentient broadsword long held by a noble house of Cormyr.
* Astele Keene, head of the Guild in Baldur's Gate during the late 15 century DR.
* Bag of Nails, the tabaxi warrior who journeyed through the jungles of Chult.
* Sir Riordan Parnell, the half-elven bard who had enjoyed extravagant wealth just as often as he did financial impoverishment.
* Viari, the roguish adventurer of Acquisitions Incorporated.
* Forge Fitzwilliam, conman and later Lord of Neverwinter.
===Groups===
Some priests and specialty priests of certain deities understood and utilized thieves' cant, notably demarches and demarchesses of Mask, the aetharnor of Abbathor, the hurndor of Vergadain, mischiefmakers of Erevan Ilesere, fastpaws of Baervan Wildwanderer, and misadventurers of Brandobaris.
==Appendix==
===See Also===
* Thieves' cant dictionary
===Appearances===
:;Adventures
::Treasure Hunt • Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
::
::The Mines of Bloodstone • The Bloodstone Wars • The Throne of Bloodstone • Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle • Sleeping Dragon's Wake • Storm Lord's Wrath • Tomb of Annihilation • Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus • Infernal Machine Rebuild • Dragons of Stormwreck Isle • Keys from the Golden Vault: Prisoner 13
:;Novels
::Mortal Consequences • Azure Bonds Song of the Saurials • Realms of Infamy: Gallows Day • The Shattered Mask • Star of Cursrah • Twilight Falling • Venom's Taste
::
::Spellfire
:;Comics
::Legends of Baldur's Gate 2
:;Video Games
::Dungeon Hack • Baldur's Gate
:;Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
::Plague of Ancients (The Great Knucklehead Rally); Shadows Rising
::
::Mulmaster Undone • Durlag's Tower • Durlag's Tomb • Pools of Cerulean • Terror in Ten Towns • The Skull Square Murders • Poisoned Words • Last Orders at the Yawning Portal • The Breath of Life • The Vast Emptiness of Grace • In the Hand • Hellfire Requiem • Breaking Umberlee's Resolve • Blood in the Water • Saving Silverbeard • Foreign Affairs • Uncertain Scrutiny • Thimblerigging • Moment of Peace The Harrowing of Hell • Unsafe Harborage • Shadows in the Stacks • To Walk the Cold Dark • Wings of Death 
===Further Reading===
* 
===References===
Category:Languages
Category:Secret languages
CAtegory:Sign languages