Below is a breakdown of the language of ​Thieves’ Cant​.

Yep, you might eventually have to speak/read it

during the game. This is not a comprehensive dictionary of the language, but I will (secretly) let you
know any Thieves’ Cant you come across that isn’t part of the breakdown below. I might expand on this
later to encompass more things.

Conceptually, Thieves’ Cant is a collection of key phrases or words that are code for something else, and
saying them in context with the (seemingly) innocent conversation reveals the true meaning.

Read below, and then look at the example at the end. Let me know if you have any questions!

Greeting
Greetings are used to identify which specific Faction of the Cerulean Society that person is from.

Speaker’s ID Greeting

Assassins (Other person’s name)? You haven’t aged a day!

Thugs / Enforcers Look what the cat dragged in

Pirates Yo ho

Forgers (Other person’s name) is that you?

Smugglers What do we have here?

Torturers Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes

Gamblers / Bookmakers My, my, don’t that beat all

Wow (Other person’s name) that’s quite the getup! ​Bear Hug.
Pickpockets
*See note

Fences Well aren’t you a piece of work

Slavers (Greeter’s name), at your service

Con Artists Cheerio, old chap

Member of rival / hostile

Hey, beautiful / Hey, handsome
Guild

Politician’s Liaison ‘Ello Sir/Madaam (with deep bow)

Temple/Church Liaison ‘Ello Sir/Madaam (clasping of hands and deep head bow)

Military / Guards Liaison ‘Ello Sir/Madaam (with mock salute)

Merchant’s Liaison ‘Ello Sir/Madaam (tips hat)

Spies (official government) ‘Ello Sir/Madaam (pulls out cigarette/pipe, asks for light)

*Note: During the bear hug, the Pickpocket removes an item from the other person and replaces 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.

Urgency Example

Not urgent / optional “I haven’t seen you ​in 6 months​”

Low urgency “Wow, it’s been ​a few years​”

High urgency “Can you believe it’s been ​over 10 years​?”

Extreme urgency “Seems like you left the village ​a lifetime ago​”

Utmost urgency / Not optional “Gosh, it feels ​like forever​ since I’ve seen you”
Catching Up
The messenger mentions a relative of the other person. 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.

Message sender Relation code

Government official Uncle

Monarch / Sovereign Great Uncle

Person’s superior in Guild Mother / Father

Guild Master Grandmother / Grandfather

Person’s peer in Guild Cousin

Mother-in-law /
Superior rank in a different faction
Father-in-law

Member of rival Guild/Organization Step-Mother/Step-Father

Guild initiate Little brother / Little sister

Person’s actual family member Puppy / Kitten

Example of Tone Implication

“I was so sorry to hear about your (Hostile) Your Guildmaster is threatening to kill you if
Grandmother’s passing. What a tragedy.” 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 remembers
else if you don’t take the job
all your names”

“Remember that time we shaved your (Friendly) A member or official of a rival Guild pleads
Step-Mother’s chihuahua? That was funny. for your help. Perhaps they are willing to make peace,
We were awful kids, she didn’t deserve or claim previous hostility was due to a
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, Blowout The larger the “party,” the bigger the splash

Party like it’s 999 No survivors

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)

Go Grab a Drink Smuggling contraband

Just some ale Smuggling / delivering object

Something stronger than just ale Smuggling live cargo

Marriage proposal Intimidate / threaten / blackmail

Dowry payoff money

Gossip Recon / spy / info gathering

Join the club covert infiltration

Tavern Inn Brothel

Tavern Maid Prostitute

Farm general money-making operation / heist

Vineyard high-stakes operation / heist, e.g. targeting a wealthy noble

Plantation refers to long-term, multiple operations

Ranch Large scale operation, e.g. bilking an entire town

Greenhouse Bank robbery

Grocery market Rob merchant

Planter / Garden patch small scale heist / con

Problem with rodents / worms /

spy or informant in the operation
insects

Problem with rabbits embezzler in the operation

Hush-hush It’s ok to let other party members in on the job

Get backup but keep them in the dark regarding the

Bring a date
operation

Invite your friends If you tell them, you’ll have to kill them afterward
Enough about me, how are you?
This is an optional portion of the conversation that a person can initiate in order to ask about payment
for the previously mentioned job. This is done 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.”​ This number indicates a range on a scale of 1-20 how much the quest-giver
is offering. In terms of gold value, the scale is roughly 1 being sub 500 gp, and 20 being 400,000+ gp.
“Really? I thought he was, like, 12.” ​or​ “So your older girl is 12, then?” This represents the other person
negotiating: 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?
holiday/gathering) this year?

Yes, I’ll be there Yes, I’ll take the job

No, I am otherwise engaged No, I am otherwise engaged

An insult to the messenger and their

Give my regards to your Granny
guild master

I’m going to spay and neuter your

…and have your pets spayed or neutered
family members
Example chat with an “old friend” named Samantha:

Samantha: ​Hey, girl, hey! How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in…eternity. What are you up to?
Player: 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.
P: 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 Aldrin’s [Academy of Advanced Swordplay]. I
hear they have a new headmaster since old Aldrin retired.
P: 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.
P: Sounds intriguing. Maybe I’ll check it out.
S: ​Cool.
P: Say, how’s your nephew these days?
S: ​Oh, he’s getting so big. You have no idea.
P: 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 them.
P: I’d love to. Good seeing you.
S: ​You too! You might want to​ b​ring a date to the festival. I hear it’s going to be great!

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 headmaster of Aldrin’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’ Faction Master for payment.
You’ll need backup, but don’t tell them any details.