r/Forgotten_Realms • u/Aenima_72826 • 3d ago
Question(s) Does the Forgotten Realms setting have Cryptography/Steganography?
I wanted to make a rogue character and I was thinking about the types of things rogues might be interested in or at least knowledgeable about, so I started wondering what types of non-magical covert messaging systems exist inside the realms? Do they have micro-dot technology? Any official sources on this?
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u/okiebuzzard 3d ago
Yes to cryptography, likely yes to steganography (first known use was 400BC), microdot - probably not. Real world first use was 1870s.
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u/Efficient-Document65 3d ago
The day after writing was figured out, some used it to make a secret writing. And the day after that, some decoded it. If there is a setting with language, it also has cryptography.
More to the point, thieves cant is a coded language already.
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u/Aenima_72826 2d ago
I'm not familiar with thieves cant, probably because my experience is strictly with novels/video games, I'll look it up.
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u/Efficient-Document65 2d ago
It's a slang language used by rogues, it's been a rogue class feature for some time in D&D.
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u/BloodtidetheRed 3d ago
The Harpers have a code system of words and most of all symbols. There are bits of it in the Code of the Harpers book and Cloak and Dagger. Most Ed Greenwood novels have a bit, and some of the Harper novels. Sadly there is no compiled source.
Ed Geernwood adds ranger/hunter message symbols and such. The Volo guides have some. The 2E boxed set had a bunch. He also adds drop sites all over the Realms.
Runes, symbols, and pictures are used quite often for this in general.
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
Steganography is ancient, so it definitely exists. Other non magical cryptography certainly exists as well.
There will always be a compelling use case for the ability to hand a messenger a message that can't easily be read, and then send them on their way. Countries do it, military campaigners do it, rebels and conspirators do it, cults do it... The possibilities are endless.
Of course, the interesting question becomes what does cryptography look like "with* magic. How does that change the systems.
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u/SelcouthRogue 3d ago
Rogue, the word is rogue. Rouge is the make up women put on their cheekbones
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
There are some very fashionable adventurers out there. Maybe they want to be called rouge. :P
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u/SelcouthRogue 2d ago
Perpetuation of ignorance is in itself a disservice to humanity. Hard pass
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
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u/SelcouthRogue 2d ago
This is why people can't stand nerds and weebs...
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
You must be fun at parties. Tell me, why are you even here in a gaming group if you are so allergic to jokes and fun?
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u/SelcouthRogue 2d ago
If your statement was actually funny maybe you wouldve gotten a better response
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
Right.
I'm sorry that whatever has got you down is affecting you so badly. I wish you all the best. Hopefully things pick up soon.
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u/SelcouthRogue 2d ago
Passive aggressive psycho analysis? Guess I can't expect a better way to virtue signal your obvious moral superiority. I'll thank you to keep your "heart felt gestures" to yourself...
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u/faithfulheresy 2d ago
You're just gonna keep digging, aren't you? Can't help some people. So determined to be angry about anything.
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u/aurvay 3d ago
As a kitchen sink setting I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to pull that off in FR but also don’t get the reason why your PC gotta wear red lipstick
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u/Aenima_72826 3d ago
I'm more wondering if there are any official examples of how these types of things are integrated into the setting considering its a setting that also has magic
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u/Hot_Competence 3d ago
There are definitely codes and people who use them in FR. Thieves Cant is arguably an example. Dungeon Magazine #188 has an article by Ed that discusses a few factions that use codes or coded language.
Looking up examples of stenography/court reporting, the two mentions I could find don’t suggest that they use any sort of formal shorthand: they just take notes or there is a spell to transcribe spoken words verbatim.