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.

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.

 “Wow, it’s been *a few years*”
 “Can you believe it’s been *over 10 years*?”
 “Seems like you left the village *a lifetime ago*”
 “Gosh, it feels *like forever* since I’ve seen you”

### **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.

 Uncle
 Mother / Father
 Grandmother / Grandfather
 Cousin
 Mother-in-law / Father-in-law
 Step-Mother
 Great Grandmother / Great Grandfather
 Little brother / Little sister
 Puppy / Kitten

 "Your old man sends his regards"
 “Your Uncle has so many nieces and nephews, I don’t know how he remembers all your names”
 “Remember that time we shaved your Step-Mother’s pet? That was funny. We were awful kids, she didn’t deserve that.”

### **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.”

### **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?**

 Will I see you at the harvest festival (or any other hometown gathering) this year?
 Yes, I’ll be there
 No, I am otherwise engaged
 Give my regards to your Granny