Not a language, in the same sense as Tamrielic, Goblin, Orcish, etc., Thieves' Cant is a code system of phrases, useable in any language, to disguise a conversation behind an everyday-sounding conversation between people exhibiting feigned familiarity. While different criminal organizations might have their own code books with specific phrases meaning specific things for their own conduction of business, being familiar with Thieves' Cant makes one more likely to understand disguised meanings. Knowledge of the Thieves' Cant language will grant you the knowledge of your own associated organization's code phrases, while also giving you the knowledge and wisdom to understand possible disguised meanings from other organizations. In the case of an organization you are not a part of, a successful Wisdom (Insight) or Intelligence (Linguistics) check will be required to put together the meaning of such a phrase.
Example Phrases: (Not necessarily used in world, but examples of what might be used and phrases you might be familiar with)
- Thieves' Cant Example - Disguised meaning
- "My door's squeakin' somethin' awful. I'm looking for a good carpenter to fix it." - "I'm looking to hire someone to silence someone who can't keep a secret."
- "The birds are getting ready to fly south for the winter." - "The targets (or we) are going into hiding until things cool down."
- "I've prepared all the main ingredients for dinner. I just gotta find the right spice." - "I've got all the details for the job. Now I'm looking for a team to pull it off."
- "If you want to do business in this town, you gotta track your expenses." - "Local businesses/local thieves are paying bribes to thieves/the guards."
- "My uncle runs a pawn shop. He'll take any junk off your hands you don't want." - "I know a fence who'll buy all your ill-gotten gains, no matter how hot."
- "She sells exotic wares." - "She deals in information and secrets; She's an information broker."
- "The shepherd is very careful about his flock" - "They've increased the guards/patrols in the area."
- "Some pages are missing from my book" - "We don't have all the information."
Aside from phrases, or singular words, that have new meaning other than their disguise meanings, there are also pictographic messages that fall under the category of Thieves' Cant. While the Thieves Guild in Tamriel has their Shadowmarks, there are marks elsewhere In the world with the same intent.
(Bottom Right is supposed to say "Thieves' Cache"