Difference between revisions of "Thieves' Cant"

From Delgar
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'''Thieves' Cant''' is often described as a language, but it's more accurately called a cipher - that is, a code used to convey information covertly.
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'''Thieves' Cant''' (more often merely ''The Cant)'' is often thought of as a language, but it is in fact a complex system of codes, ciphers, and behaviors which combine to afford those practicing in trades outside the confines of the law the ability to secretly communicate on topics relevant to their business. The Cant consists of four primary modes of communication, detailed below.
  
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Thieves' Cant in this setting is a particular way of playing a common gambling game. It involves making specific plays and bets in combination with table banter, intentionally losing stakes to pay for information, and so on.
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== The Five Hundred Names ==
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The ''Five Hundred Names'' are a standard set of adornments and monikers used by rogues to identify one another. the details are complex and sparsely known, but the end result is that those who "wear" one of the five hundred names can easily feign familiarity with one another and establish communication without raising suspicion.
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=== Wearing a Name ===
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Each of the five hundred names has a set of markings or adornments worn or carried or otherwise presented to identify their trade and the name they should be called. There are names suitable for every combination of ancestry, gender, and trade such that fitting names can easily be displayed anywhere in the world without standing out. Among these monikers are a myriad of "dead names" included as traps for anyone trying to gain unwelcome entry into the criminal underground.
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=== Example Names ===
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{|
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{| class="wikitable"
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|+Elven Names
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!Trade
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!Spring
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/ Dawn
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!Summer
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/ Daylight
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!Autumn
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/ Dusk
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!Winter
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/ Moonlight
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|-
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|Fence
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|-
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|Information Broker
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|Smuggler
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|Assassin
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|Jailbreaker
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|}
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== Coves ==
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By far the most common form of the Cant occurs as a special variant of the gambling card game [[Coves]], which is played throughout the world. In this mode, someone looking to buy information, leads, etc. would sit down to a table of
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== Chicken Scratch ==
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== Pawley ==
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Pawley (from the Araxian word ''parlere'' meaning ''to speak'') is the spoken form of the Cant. It is

Revision as of 20:14, 25 March 2021

Thieves' Cant (more often merely The Cant) is often thought of as a language, but it is in fact a complex system of codes, ciphers, and behaviors which combine to afford those practicing in trades outside the confines of the law the ability to secretly communicate on topics relevant to their business. The Cant consists of four primary modes of communication, detailed below.

The Five Hundred Names

The Five Hundred Names are a standard set of adornments and monikers used by rogues to identify one another. the details are complex and sparsely known, but the end result is that those who "wear" one of the five hundred names can easily feign familiarity with one another and establish communication without raising suspicion.

Wearing a Name

Each of the five hundred names has a set of markings or adornments worn or carried or otherwise presented to identify their trade and the name they should be called. There are names suitable for every combination of ancestry, gender, and trade such that fitting names can easily be displayed anywhere in the world without standing out. Among these monikers are a myriad of "dead names" included as traps for anyone trying to gain unwelcome entry into the criminal underground.

Example Names

Elven Names
Trade Spring

/ Dawn

Summer

/ Daylight

Autumn

/ Dusk

Winter

/ Moonlight

Fence
Information Broker
Smuggler
Assassin
Jailbreaker

Coves

By far the most common form of the Cant occurs as a special variant of the gambling card game Coves, which is played throughout the world. In this mode, someone looking to buy information, leads, etc. would sit down to a table of

Chicken Scratch

Pawley

Pawley (from the Araxian word parlere meaning to speak) is the spoken form of the Cant. It is

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