While the cant that is shared among thieves and others in the kingdom's collective underworld is expectedly diverse, no variation compares with the storied dialect that originates from
Lockhinge City. Being such a hub for trade (both legitimate and illicit) and never having shied away from its reputation of supposedly being "a city of thieves," Lockhinge has nearly turned the secretive code into an acknowledged language in its streets.
If one knows what to look for, they will find cant scrawled all over the city, even worked into artwork and crafted objects. This unique cryptography has become an inexorable piece of the city's culture, even being taught in many of its varied insitutes of education.
Writing System
The basic set of symbols has been expanded upon in Lockhinge, both in number and in flexibility of use. Instead of only one or two cryptographic symbols being carved somewhere hidden, secretly marking a location with a single concept, those fluent in Lockhinge cant are able to cluster and combine symbols to convey a more complex message, or have a back-and-forth with another individual. The expanded lexicon of symbols more than triples the available options when communicating, as well as put up a few more barriers to those trying to decipher the code. A great many people understand this cant in Lockhinge City, but that number is still far fewer than the people who understand basic thieves' cant across the kingdom.
In addition to the usual cryptic symbols, a secondary written cant has developed in Lockhinge City. This written cant is more akin to the spoken/gestural component that is known in basic cant, but it uses visual writing. This written cant is sometimes adapted to the Common language, especially among those who use Lockhinge cant outside of the city, but the most common language used by far is Infernal, followed by Draconic and Dwarven, reflecting the demographics of Lockhinge City. Written Lockhinge cant uses letters, words, and phrases that are almost correct, with the discrepancies being used as both the signifier and part of the meaning behind the cant, along with the terms and context clues that would only make sense to someone who has spent a significant portion of their lives in the city.
Written cant, and a subtle use of symbolic cant, is plastered all over the city--graffiti, decoration, and even shop signs hide messages for those who are fluent in Lockhinge's particular brand of coded communication. The residents who don't understand the language are at least aware of its presence, and it is considered an important part of Lockhinge culture by the general populous.
Too many have learned the hard way not to get a tattoo of a pretty piece of cant without first getting at least one trusted source to verify its meaning.
Across the kingdom's underworld, there are thieves who come from a myriad of diverse backgrounds, but there are particular, notable markers of those who were raised or trained in Lockhinge City. As the city tends to encourage its residents to move on to other locations once they have the means and ambition to do so, Lockhinge diaspora can be found virtually anywhere, and they tend to leave clues for others of similar origin to find.
Lockhinge cant is prevalent all throughout
Greymantle Marsh and the southern lands near its borders, but can be found in at least small amounts in all densely-populated cities and ports, and scattered in unexpected places elsewhere. Oftentimes, those who know Lockhinge cant largely put their specialized lexicon away so they can comminucate with a more general audience, but still leave breadcrumbs for those "in the know" to find. Lockhinge-trained individuals frequently have a higher view of others who are similarly-trained than what they view as the more common criminal, so they consider it beneficial to locate those who deserve a few extra notches of respect.
The system of speech and gestures that make up the cant that can be spoken out loud without the general populous noticing has been greatly elaborated upon by Lockhinge denizens, so as to be able to convey much more detailed concepts within the same amount of time. The sheer number of cant-speakers within the city, along with a lowered sense of need for secrecy in the streets, makes the development of this nuanced language possible. Many terms or phrases related to Lockhinge slang and common knowledge are employed in this shorthand, so that for much of it you not only need to know the dialect specific to the city, but be up-to-date on its popular culture.
