Thieves' Cant

This hidden language is mainly used in the dark guilds or between thieves and rogues. It is used to hide messages in plain sight in order to deliver or acquire information or relay messages.
Instigating the conversation or the switch of speech is often denoted by a double tab of a beverage or the likes but might be other tells based on region in the country.
=== Greeting: ===
Presumably, the roguish messenger seeking out the party will know your identity. The greeting they use identifies them as a representative of their profession within a particular thieves’ guild.
Greeting Code 	Speaker’s ID
Hey, *opposite gender* 	Assassins’ Guild
Look what the cat dragged in 	Thugs / Enforcers
Yo ho 	Pirates’ Guild
(Rogue’s name) is that you? 	Forgers
What do we have here? 	Smugglers
Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes 	Torturers
My, my, don’t that beat all 	Gamblers / Bookmakers
Random verbal greeting with big bear hug. See note 	Pickpockets
Well aren’t you a piece of work 	Fences
Howdy Pardner 	Rustlers / Poachers
(NPC’s name), at your service 	Slavers
Cheerio, old chap 	Con Artists (Upscale)
You got some fried potatoes to go with that Lamb Chop (female PC) or Beefcake (male PC)?	Shysters, Flim-flams, Hustlers & cheap Cons
Hey, beautiful / Hey, handsome 	Member of rival / hostile Guild
‘Ello Guv’nor (with deep bow) 	Politicians’ Liaison
‘Ello Guv’nor (with mock salute) 	Military / Guards Liaison
‘Ello Guv’nor (tips hat) 	Merchants’ Guild Liaison
‘Ello Guv’nor (pulls out cigarette, asks for light) 	Spies (official government)
Note: On bear hug, Pickpocket attempts to remove ones purse and place it in a different pocket. 
=== Nostalgia ===
As with many old friends catching up, the messenger says something like “I haven’t seen you since…” The exact phrasing does not matter. The important element is the time frame, which reflects the urgency of the message to follow.
Example 	Urgency
“I haven’t seen you in X months” 	Not urgent / optional
“Wow, it’s been a few years” 	Low urgency
“Can you believe it’s been over 10 years?” 	High urgency
“Seems like you left the village a lifetime ago” 	Extreme urgency
“Gosh, it feels like forever since I’ve seen you”	Utmost urgency / Not optional
=== Catching Up ===
The messenger mentions a relative of the PC. There are two elements to this innocent statement. First, the specific relative mentioned identifies the source of the message or quest. Second, the tenor of the statement reflects the subtext of the message. The tone of the message may be friendly, neutral, or hostile.
Relation code 	Message sender
Great Uncle 	Lord or above
Uncle 	Government official
Mother / Father 	Rogue’s superior in Guild
Grandmother / Grandfather 	Guild Master
Cousin 	Rogue’s peer in Guild
Mother-in-law / Father-in-law 	Superior rank in allied Guild
Step-Mother 	Member of rival Guild
Great Grandmother / Great Grandfather	Over-Guild Official
Little brother / Little sister 	Guild initiate
Puppy / Kitten 	PC’s actual family member
Example of Tone 	Implication
“I was so sorry to hear about your Grandmother’s passing. What a tragedy.” 	(Hostile) Your Guildmaster is threatening to kill you if you botch this job
"Your old man sends his regards" 	(Neutral) your guild superior is on to you or is keeping taps on you
“Your Uncle has so many nieces and nephews, I don’t know how he remembers all your names” 	(Neutral) The government official can hire someone else if you don’t take the job
“Remember that time we shaved your Step-Mother’s pet? That was funny. We were awful kids, she didn’t deserve that.”	(Friendly) A member or official of a rival Guild pleads for your help. Perhaps they are willing to make peace, or claim previous hostility was due to a misunderstanding.
=== Chit-chat ===
This part can vary the most. It gives the nature of the job or message, as well as additional information such as identifying targets, cautions, or other parameters. If necessary, the relations listed above can be used again with the same meanings. For example, “Your uncle says don’t forget to wish your step-mother a happy birthday,” meaning “a government official wants you to assassinate a rival guild leader.”
Code 	Meaning
Birthday 	Assassination
Birthday Party 	Assassination of multiple targets
Number of Candles 	Number of Targets
A small, intimate gathering 	No collateral damage; look like an accident
Celebration, Wingding, Blowout 	The larger the “party,” the bigger the splash
Party like it’s 999 	No survivors
Party planner 	Inside informant
Party invitation 	Intel already gathered
Black tie / formal 	Rogue must follow questgiver's guidelines
Come as you are / informal 	Rogue has discretion on methods
Family reunion 	Guildwar
Vacation 	Kidnapping
Family vacation 	Multiple kidnappings / hostage situation
Vacation postcards 	Ransom demands
Vacation souvenirs 	Proof of victim’s ID (e.g. signet ring or left big toe)
Ale run 	Smuggling contraband
Rum run 	Smuggling / delivering object
Special Delivery 	Smuggling live cargo
Marriage proposal 	Intimidate / threaten / blackmail
Dowry 	Payoff money
Gossip 	Recon / spy / info gathering
Join the club 	Covert infiltration
Farm 	General money-making operation / heist
Vineyard 	High-stakes operation / heist, e.g. targeting a wealthy noble
Plantation 	Refers to long-term, multiple operations of entire Guild
Ranch 	Large scale operation, e.g. bilking an entire town
Greenhouse 	Bank robbery
Grocery market 	Rob merchant
Window box / Planter / Garden patch 	Small scale heist / con
Problem with rodents / worms / insects	Spy or informant in the operation
Problem with rabbits 	Embezzler in the operation
Don't tell. It's a surprise. 	It’s ok to let other party members in on the job
Bring a date 	Get backup (presumably other PCs) but keep them in the dark regarding the op
Invite your friends 	If you tell them, you have to kill them
Give credit where credit is due 	Frame someone else for the crime
Signature / Signed 	Reveal job originator to send a message
=== Enough about me, how are you? ===
The messenger would gladly skip payment info. Contract negotiation is much more favorable for the quest-giver after the job is done. If the recipient neglects to ask for payment, it’s their own fault. They can ask and negotiate by inquiring about the Messenger’s family.
“How’s your little (tyke, baby girl, nephew, poodle, whatever)?” means “How much does the job pay?”
“Oh, he’s great. He’s 9 now.” In-game, the number indicates a range on a scale of 1 – 20 how much the quest-giver is offering. 
“Really? I thought he was, like, 12.” or “So your older girl is 12, then?” This represents the PCs demand: I want level 12 payment for this job.
”Yeah, but junior will be 10 next month.” This is the messenger’s counter-offer: level 10 payment.
=== Do we have a deal? ===
Code 	Meaning
I will not keep you from your festivities 	Carry on what you are doing
Will I see you at the harvest festival (or any other hometown gathering) this year?	Will you take the job?
Yes, I’ll be there 	Yes, I’ll be there
No, I am otherwise engaged 	No, I am otherwise engaged
Give my regards to your Granny 	A pox on thee, and your guild master as well. Aka. "fuck you!"