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Scenario: A stranger approaches the party and begins to converse.

The stranger claims to be


an acquaintance of the party rogue (which may or may not be true). They have a mundane
conversation, just old friends catching up. In reality, they are using Thieves’ Cant to pass the
rogue a quest/ job offer or other message.
Greeting
Presumably, the roguish messenger seeking out your party knows your identity. The greeting
they use identifies them to your rogue as a representative of a particular thieves’ guild.

Greeting Code Speaker’s ID


Hey, girl, hey! 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 Shysters, Flim-flams, Hustlers
PC) orBeefcake (male PC)? & 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 removes PC’s purse and replaces it in a different pocket.
Either handwave this as done by an expert, or roll + 5 Dex (sleight of hand) + proficiency +
expertise vs. PC’s Wis (perception). If Pickpocket fails, let PC respond as they choose; that’s
the risk a pickpocket takes.
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 6 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
Extreme urgency
ago”
“Gosh, it feels like forever since I’ve seen Utmost urgency / Not
you” 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


Uncle Government official
Great Uncle Monarch / Sovereign
Mother / Father Rogue’s superior in Guild
Grandmother / Grandfather Guild Master
Cousin Rogue’s peer in Guild
Superior rank in allied
Mother-in-law / Father-in-law
Guild
Step-Mother Member of rival Guild
Great Grandmother / Great
Over-Guild Official
Grandfather
Little brother / Little sister Guild initiate
PC’s actual family
Puppy / Kitten
member
Demented Murderer DM
Example of Tone Implication
“I was so sorry to hear about your (Hostile) Your Guild-master is threatening to kill you
Grandmother’s passing. What a tragedy.” if you botch this job
“Your Uncle has so many nieces and
(Neutral) The government official can hire someone
nephews, I don’t know how he
else if you don’t take the job
remembers all your names”
Example of Tone Implication
“Remember that time we shaved your (Friendly) A member or official of a rival Guild pleads
Step-Mother’s chihuahua? That was for your help. Perhaps they are willing to make peace,
funny. We were awful kids, she didn’t or claim previous hostility was due to a
deserve that.” 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,
The larger the “party,” the bigger the splash
Blowout
Party like it’s 999 No survivors
Party planner Inside informant
Party invitation intel already gathered
Black tie / formal Rogue must follow quest-giver's guidelines
Come as you are / informal Rogue has discretion on methods
Family reunion Guild war
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
Deliver package Smuggling / delivering object
Special Delivery Smuggling live cargo
Marriage proposal Intimidate / threaten / blackmail
Dowry payoff money
Code Meaning
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
small scale heist / con
patch
Problem with rodents / worms /
spy or informant in the operation
insects
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
Get backup (presumably other PCs) but keep them in the dark
Bring a date
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 PC 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. Mechanically, you can roll for the money portion of a CR 9
monster’s hoard (magic items NOT included).
“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
Will I see you at the harvest festival (or any other
Will you take the job?
hometown gathering) this year?
Code Meaning
Yes, I’ll be there Yes, I’ll be there
No, I am otherwise engaged No, I am otherwise engaged
A pox on thee, and your guild master
Give my regards to your Granny
as well
I’m going to spay and neuter your
…and have your pets spayed or neutered
family members

DM Note
•This can be a kind of puzzle for your rogue player.
•Other PCs should not be aware of the meaning; in fact, other players may not even realize
thieves’ cant is being used. Most games, in my experience, don’t actually do anything with
thieves’ cant, unless maybe just passing secret notes. I designed this hoping to avoid the
passing of notes.
•Your rogue player should have a copy of this guide. Even so, they may misinterpret the
message entirely. If they do, that could be even more fun.
•I tried not to over-complicate too much, so the passing of notes or private conversations
with your rogue may still be necessary to convey specific quest details.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________-
Example Conversation between my rogue Mystique and her “old friend” Samantha:
Samantha: Hey, girl, hey! How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in…eternity. What are you
up to?
Mystique: Oh, hi. I’ve been keeping busy with these yahoos.
S: It’s so good to see you. I was just visiting your Great Aunt. She is such a sweetheart. You
should look in on her more often.
M: Yeah, maybe I will after we get back from our trip to Hrad Whit.
S: Hrad Whit? You know, that road will take you right past Frawbtudt’s [Academy of
Advanced Gladiation]. I hear they have a new games-meister since old Frawbtudt retired.
M: Really?
S: Yeah, and he’s having a huge birthday party. It’s supposed to be some big secret, I guess;
a small, intimate affair. Members only, but they’re gonna party like it’s 999. If you’re in the
area, you should totally join the club.
M: Sounds intriguing. Maybe I’ll check it out.
S: Cool.
M: Say, how’s your nephew these days?
S: Oh, he’s getting so big. You have no idea.
M: You don’t say. Well can’t wait to see that big boy sometime.
S: So, will you be home for the harvest festival this year? My Grandmother will be baby-
sitting my nephew. Maybe you could meet him then.
M: I’d love to. Good seeing you.
S: Bring a date.
TRANSLATION:
I’m a member of the Assassin’s Guild. This message is of utmost importance.
It’s been too long since you’ve reported to the Queen. She urges you (tactfully, not
threatening) to complete this task.
I’m on another assignment to Hrad Whit.
Finish this job first: Assassination of the new master of Frawbtudt’s Academy and his crew.
Leave no survivors. Also leave no evidence or collateral damage. Begin with a covert
infiltration.
How much?
Unspecified, but very generous. See the Assassins’ Guild-master for payment.
You’ll need backup, but don’t tell them any details.
Follow-up conversation with party:
Annabelle the Minotaur Fighter: I didn’t know you had any family.
Mystique the Assassin Rogue: I don’t, you numb-skull. You think I want my parents to
become some thug’s pets? My siblings tortured by some Demented Murderer?
A: So do you or don’t you have family?
M: I don’t. Not a single relative left. If you’re lucky, maybe someday I’ll swear I don’t know
you either.
A: I never understand anything you say.

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