Are there any other rule mechanics that could grant Thieves' Cant?Can Thieves' Cant be understood without a level in Rogue?Except for PC Rogues, who else knows thieves’ cant?Is Thieves' Cant a language?Does Comprehend Languages allow one to understand Thieves' Cant?How can we make overcoming a language problem interesting?Can Thieves' Cant be understood without a level in Rogue?How can I talk to anybody the most easily?Every language character optimizationCan Thieves' Cant be used across languages?What justification could there be for a PC learning thieves' cant when multiclassing Rogue?Are there rules on creating a language in-world?Do characters know how to read/write languages or just speak them?
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Are there any other rule mechanics that could grant Thieves' Cant?
Can Thieves' Cant be understood without a level in Rogue?Except for PC Rogues, who else knows thieves’ cant?Is Thieves' Cant a language?Does Comprehend Languages allow one to understand Thieves' Cant?How can we make overcoming a language problem interesting?Can Thieves' Cant be understood without a level in Rogue?How can I talk to anybody the most easily?Every language character optimizationCan Thieves' Cant be used across languages?What justification could there be for a PC learning thieves' cant when multiclassing Rogue?Are there rules on creating a language in-world?Do characters know how to read/write languages or just speak them?
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$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is a class feature of Rogues in 5e.
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language? If not, is it mechanically equivalent to something that can be swapped so that characters of another class can use it without multiclassing?
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
dnd-5e rogue languages
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is a class feature of Rogues in 5e.
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language? If not, is it mechanically equivalent to something that can be swapped so that characters of another class can use it without multiclassing?
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
dnd-5e rogue languages
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
3
$begingroup$
Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is a class feature of Rogues in 5e.
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language? If not, is it mechanically equivalent to something that can be swapped so that characters of another class can use it without multiclassing?
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
dnd-5e rogue languages
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Thieves' Cant is a class feature of Rogues in 5e.
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language? If not, is it mechanically equivalent to something that can be swapped so that characters of another class can use it without multiclassing?
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
dnd-5e rogue languages
dnd-5e rogue languages
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
edited Aug 14 at 0:49
V2Blast♦
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
33.8k5 gold badges123 silver badges212 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
asked Aug 13 at 11:59
StuperUserStuperUser
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
3,4722 gold badges35 silver badges75 bronze badges
4
$begingroup$
Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
3
$begingroup$
Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00
add a comment |
4
$begingroup$
Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
3
$begingroup$
Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00
4
4
$begingroup$
Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
$begingroup$
Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
3
3
$begingroup$
Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00
$begingroup$
Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
$endgroup$
– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
A few, but they all explicitly require DM's permission
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language?
Not as a part of standart character generation. You will require an explicit DM's permission:
With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
Thieves' Cant is meant to be granted by a unique class feature. Even spells like Comprehend Languages do not allow you to understand Thieves' Cant.
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
There are no "official" ways to get this feature other than taking a level in Rogue. However, with the DM's approval, you can get it from a custom background, homebrewed class archetype, or learn as a language.
Lore-wise, Thieves' Cant is anti-language or secret language is the jargon or language of a group, often employed to exclude or mislead people outside the group. It is a skill to hide secret messages in whatever language you are currently speaking.
Rules as written, a DM can allow Thieves' Cant as a custom background feature. See the PHB page 125 "Customizing a background":
If you can't find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one
You can also learn Thieves' Cant during your downtime, if there's someone who agrees to teach you:
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's a "secret language"
The rules divide languages into three groups: Standard, Exotic, and Secret. In the section on Languages about what you can pick as a language, the rules say:
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
That describes thieves' cant as a "secret language", which (if the DM approves doing so) you could take like any other language given by your background, or learn like researching any other language.
I could certainly understand a DM not approving doing so, given how different thieves' cant is from other languages. But you're specifically asking about how the rules handle it mechanically, and from that Languages section I think it's pretty clear that from a rules perspective it's a language like any other.
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is not mechanically equivalent to anything that can be swapped out, however...
True polymorph or Shapechange
The following monsters have Thieves' Cant listed for them:
- Assassin (MM)
- Deep Scion (Volo's)
- Master Thief (Volo's)
If you True polymorph or Shapechange into these creatures, you should be able to use Thieves' Cant.
Ring of Mind Shielding
Here's an alternate solution that can be done without access to lvl 9 spells, albeit with a few problems...
- Find an evil-aligned rogue
- Slip the ring on his finger while he's sleeping
- Murder him. Hopefully he won't want to pass on to the afterlife due to his evil alignment. Thus his soul will be trapped in the ring.
- Wear the ring
- Whenever you suspect you hear Thieves' Cant, ask the soul in the ring what it means
Of course there are a number of problems with this method.
- The evil rogue might lie to you
- You can not always identify whether Thieves' Cant is present
- Imperfectly communicating to the rogue what you see/hear
- Someone stealing the ring
- The rogue passing on to the afterlife anyway
You may be able to get around problem 2 and 3 if you can convince your DM that the Ring of Mind Shielding is cooler if the soul inside can see and hear what you can see and hear.
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
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add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
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active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
A few, but they all explicitly require DM's permission
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language?
Not as a part of standart character generation. You will require an explicit DM's permission:
With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
Thieves' Cant is meant to be granted by a unique class feature. Even spells like Comprehend Languages do not allow you to understand Thieves' Cant.
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
There are no "official" ways to get this feature other than taking a level in Rogue. However, with the DM's approval, you can get it from a custom background, homebrewed class archetype, or learn as a language.
Lore-wise, Thieves' Cant is anti-language or secret language is the jargon or language of a group, often employed to exclude or mislead people outside the group. It is a skill to hide secret messages in whatever language you are currently speaking.
Rules as written, a DM can allow Thieves' Cant as a custom background feature. See the PHB page 125 "Customizing a background":
If you can't find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one
You can also learn Thieves' Cant during your downtime, if there's someone who agrees to teach you:
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A few, but they all explicitly require DM's permission
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language?
Not as a part of standart character generation. You will require an explicit DM's permission:
With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
Thieves' Cant is meant to be granted by a unique class feature. Even spells like Comprehend Languages do not allow you to understand Thieves' Cant.
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
There are no "official" ways to get this feature other than taking a level in Rogue. However, with the DM's approval, you can get it from a custom background, homebrewed class archetype, or learn as a language.
Lore-wise, Thieves' Cant is anti-language or secret language is the jargon or language of a group, often employed to exclude or mislead people outside the group. It is a skill to hide secret messages in whatever language you are currently speaking.
Rules as written, a DM can allow Thieves' Cant as a custom background feature. See the PHB page 125 "Customizing a background":
If you can't find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one
You can also learn Thieves' Cant during your downtime, if there's someone who agrees to teach you:
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A few, but they all explicitly require DM's permission
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language?
Not as a part of standart character generation. You will require an explicit DM's permission:
With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
Thieves' Cant is meant to be granted by a unique class feature. Even spells like Comprehend Languages do not allow you to understand Thieves' Cant.
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
There are no "official" ways to get this feature other than taking a level in Rogue. However, with the DM's approval, you can get it from a custom background, homebrewed class archetype, or learn as a language.
Lore-wise, Thieves' Cant is anti-language or secret language is the jargon or language of a group, often employed to exclude or mislead people outside the group. It is a skill to hide secret messages in whatever language you are currently speaking.
Rules as written, a DM can allow Thieves' Cant as a custom background feature. See the PHB page 125 "Customizing a background":
If you can't find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one
You can also learn Thieves' Cant during your downtime, if there's someone who agrees to teach you:
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
$endgroup$
A few, but they all explicitly require DM's permission
As it is a method of communication, can it be taken as a language?
Not as a part of standart character generation. You will require an explicit DM's permission:
With your DM's permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
Thieves' Cant is meant to be granted by a unique class feature. Even spells like Comprehend Languages do not allow you to understand Thieves' Cant.
Are there any other rule mechanics e.g. background, that could grant Thieves' Cant?
There are no "official" ways to get this feature other than taking a level in Rogue. However, with the DM's approval, you can get it from a custom background, homebrewed class archetype, or learn as a language.
Lore-wise, Thieves' Cant is anti-language or secret language is the jargon or language of a group, often employed to exclude or mislead people outside the group. It is a skill to hide secret messages in whatever language you are currently speaking.
Rules as written, a DM can allow Thieves' Cant as a custom background feature. See the PHB page 125 "Customizing a background":
If you can't find a feature that matches your desired background, work with your DM to create one
You can also learn Thieves' Cant during your downtime, if there's someone who agrees to teach you:
You can spend time between adventures learning a new language or training with a set of tools. Your DM might allow additional training options.
First, you must find an instructor willing to teach you. The DM determines how long it takes, and whether one or more ability checks are required.
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
edited Aug 15 at 11:24
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
answered Aug 13 at 12:17
enkryptorenkryptor
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
29.1k14 gold badges116 silver badges221 bronze badges
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose♦
Aug 13 at 16:39
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
$begingroup$
It isn't really unique as described in the answer, there is also Druidic, which is also a class feature and a secret language, though its mechanics are different.
$endgroup$
– Protonflux
Aug 15 at 10:04
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's a "secret language"
The rules divide languages into three groups: Standard, Exotic, and Secret. In the section on Languages about what you can pick as a language, the rules say:
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
That describes thieves' cant as a "secret language", which (if the DM approves doing so) you could take like any other language given by your background, or learn like researching any other language.
I could certainly understand a DM not approving doing so, given how different thieves' cant is from other languages. But you're specifically asking about how the rules handle it mechanically, and from that Languages section I think it's pretty clear that from a rules perspective it's a language like any other.
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's a "secret language"
The rules divide languages into three groups: Standard, Exotic, and Secret. In the section on Languages about what you can pick as a language, the rules say:
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
That describes thieves' cant as a "secret language", which (if the DM approves doing so) you could take like any other language given by your background, or learn like researching any other language.
I could certainly understand a DM not approving doing so, given how different thieves' cant is from other languages. But you're specifically asking about how the rules handle it mechanically, and from that Languages section I think it's pretty clear that from a rules perspective it's a language like any other.
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It's a "secret language"
The rules divide languages into three groups: Standard, Exotic, and Secret. In the section on Languages about what you can pick as a language, the rules say:
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
That describes thieves' cant as a "secret language", which (if the DM approves doing so) you could take like any other language given by your background, or learn like researching any other language.
I could certainly understand a DM not approving doing so, given how different thieves' cant is from other languages. But you're specifically asking about how the rules handle it mechanically, and from that Languages section I think it's pretty clear that from a rules perspective it's a language like any other.
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
$endgroup$
It's a "secret language"
The rules divide languages into three groups: Standard, Exotic, and Secret. In the section on Languages about what you can pick as a language, the rules say:
Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your DM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.
That describes thieves' cant as a "secret language", which (if the DM approves doing so) you could take like any other language given by your background, or learn like researching any other language.
I could certainly understand a DM not approving doing so, given how different thieves' cant is from other languages. But you're specifically asking about how the rules handle it mechanically, and from that Languages section I think it's pretty clear that from a rules perspective it's a language like any other.
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
edited Aug 13 at 15:56
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
answered Aug 13 at 15:41
Peter Cooper Jr.Peter Cooper Jr.
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
6,1094 gold badges29 silver badges87 bronze badges
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
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– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
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– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
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No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
1
1
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
This is interesting to me, since Thieves' Cant is not really a "language". For example, if someone only spoke cant, how would they talk? It's a method of encoding messages as seemingly pointless talk. I can see why they would pick this approach though, as any other approach seems needlessly complex.
$endgroup$
– Captain Man
Aug 14 at 14:25
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
It would be appreciated if you left this answer as an answer to my question: rpg.stackexchange.com/q/153571/36850
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 10:54
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
@illustro: I was just about to try writing something up, but Tiggerous's answer just posted there I think says everything that I would want to say. My answer here focuses only on the mechanical aspects (which is what this question asks for).
$endgroup$
– Peter Cooper Jr.
Aug 15 at 11:15
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
$begingroup$
No worries! Thanks for going to the effort though!
$endgroup$
– illustro
Aug 15 at 11:16
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is not mechanically equivalent to anything that can be swapped out, however...
True polymorph or Shapechange
The following monsters have Thieves' Cant listed for them:
- Assassin (MM)
- Deep Scion (Volo's)
- Master Thief (Volo's)
If you True polymorph or Shapechange into these creatures, you should be able to use Thieves' Cant.
Ring of Mind Shielding
Here's an alternate solution that can be done without access to lvl 9 spells, albeit with a few problems...
- Find an evil-aligned rogue
- Slip the ring on his finger while he's sleeping
- Murder him. Hopefully he won't want to pass on to the afterlife due to his evil alignment. Thus his soul will be trapped in the ring.
- Wear the ring
- Whenever you suspect you hear Thieves' Cant, ask the soul in the ring what it means
Of course there are a number of problems with this method.
- The evil rogue might lie to you
- You can not always identify whether Thieves' Cant is present
- Imperfectly communicating to the rogue what you see/hear
- Someone stealing the ring
- The rogue passing on to the afterlife anyway
You may be able to get around problem 2 and 3 if you can convince your DM that the Ring of Mind Shielding is cooler if the soul inside can see and hear what you can see and hear.
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is not mechanically equivalent to anything that can be swapped out, however...
True polymorph or Shapechange
The following monsters have Thieves' Cant listed for them:
- Assassin (MM)
- Deep Scion (Volo's)
- Master Thief (Volo's)
If you True polymorph or Shapechange into these creatures, you should be able to use Thieves' Cant.
Ring of Mind Shielding
Here's an alternate solution that can be done without access to lvl 9 spells, albeit with a few problems...
- Find an evil-aligned rogue
- Slip the ring on his finger while he's sleeping
- Murder him. Hopefully he won't want to pass on to the afterlife due to his evil alignment. Thus his soul will be trapped in the ring.
- Wear the ring
- Whenever you suspect you hear Thieves' Cant, ask the soul in the ring what it means
Of course there are a number of problems with this method.
- The evil rogue might lie to you
- You can not always identify whether Thieves' Cant is present
- Imperfectly communicating to the rogue what you see/hear
- Someone stealing the ring
- The rogue passing on to the afterlife anyway
You may be able to get around problem 2 and 3 if you can convince your DM that the Ring of Mind Shielding is cooler if the soul inside can see and hear what you can see and hear.
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Thieves' Cant is not mechanically equivalent to anything that can be swapped out, however...
True polymorph or Shapechange
The following monsters have Thieves' Cant listed for them:
- Assassin (MM)
- Deep Scion (Volo's)
- Master Thief (Volo's)
If you True polymorph or Shapechange into these creatures, you should be able to use Thieves' Cant.
Ring of Mind Shielding
Here's an alternate solution that can be done without access to lvl 9 spells, albeit with a few problems...
- Find an evil-aligned rogue
- Slip the ring on his finger while he's sleeping
- Murder him. Hopefully he won't want to pass on to the afterlife due to his evil alignment. Thus his soul will be trapped in the ring.
- Wear the ring
- Whenever you suspect you hear Thieves' Cant, ask the soul in the ring what it means
Of course there are a number of problems with this method.
- The evil rogue might lie to you
- You can not always identify whether Thieves' Cant is present
- Imperfectly communicating to the rogue what you see/hear
- Someone stealing the ring
- The rogue passing on to the afterlife anyway
You may be able to get around problem 2 and 3 if you can convince your DM that the Ring of Mind Shielding is cooler if the soul inside can see and hear what you can see and hear.
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Thieves' Cant is not mechanically equivalent to anything that can be swapped out, however...
True polymorph or Shapechange
The following monsters have Thieves' Cant listed for them:
- Assassin (MM)
- Deep Scion (Volo's)
- Master Thief (Volo's)
If you True polymorph or Shapechange into these creatures, you should be able to use Thieves' Cant.
Ring of Mind Shielding
Here's an alternate solution that can be done without access to lvl 9 spells, albeit with a few problems...
- Find an evil-aligned rogue
- Slip the ring on his finger while he's sleeping
- Murder him. Hopefully he won't want to pass on to the afterlife due to his evil alignment. Thus his soul will be trapped in the ring.
- Wear the ring
- Whenever you suspect you hear Thieves' Cant, ask the soul in the ring what it means
Of course there are a number of problems with this method.
- The evil rogue might lie to you
- You can not always identify whether Thieves' Cant is present
- Imperfectly communicating to the rogue what you see/hear
- Someone stealing the ring
- The rogue passing on to the afterlife anyway
You may be able to get around problem 2 and 3 if you can convince your DM that the Ring of Mind Shielding is cooler if the soul inside can see and hear what you can see and hear.
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
answered Aug 14 at 5:06
NachtNacht
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
7017 silver badges22 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Heavily related (possibly duplicate of the question in the body) rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/53898/…
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– Medix2
Aug 13 at 12:57
3
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Also related: rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/106735/…
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– Medix2
Aug 13 at 13:00