Instant Puzzles: Give NPCs Secret Codes

We got to talking about living graffiti on the Discord and @ØCÇÜL? STOÒL shared this great idea:

If you can’t see the image above, the message in part reads:

I always pictured Druidic hobo signs to be a thing, like most folks that saw branches growing in a strange pattern might notice but someone proficient in Druidic would understand that this is a “Druidic sign” and what it means.

Then @Loz shared The Da Pinchi Code:

And the Hobo/Travellers code:

Finally, @Auke shared the much less familiar Dali Code ?:

So all this talk of secret codes and seeing the variety made me think factions in my Obsidian Invictus campaign should use them too.

Here’s what I’ve got planned.

I’m using Shadowdark for Obsidian Invictus, so I’ve mapped these character classes to factions and their secret messages:

  • Fighters
    • Copper Sods (Guards): “Hobo” signs carved into things with sharp weapons.
    • Scutters (Mercenaries): Chirps and whistles.
    • Pit Fighters: Body language signals.
  • Priests
    • Church of Aurem: A new language, Lingua Aurea aka Goldspeech, which means “The Golden Tongue”. 

      There are two versions, High Lingua Aurea and Low Lingua Aurea. The latter is spoken by rank and file church members. The former by priests, certain nobles and wizards, and The Pope.
  • Thieves
    • Ashen Masks (Established): Thieves’ Cant – hand signals.
    • Red Line (Rebels): Red marks hiding in plain sight to designate territory and targets.
  • Wizards
    • Magorum (College of Mages): A new 1st level spell: Write Magic which can be read by Detect Magic.

Why Would You Want Secret Faction Codes?

Secret codes help us in several ways behind the screen:

  • Provide an easy way to hand out hooks, clues, and signposts.
  • Turn encounter environments into puzzles.
  • Reward players who pay attention.
  • Explain how different faction members and locations are ready for PCs because they pass along intelligence.
  • Offer a tactical advantage to help increase encounter or plot challenge.
  • Give character backgrounds, languages, and skills a chance to meaningfully contribute.
  • Warn players of traps, turf boundaries, or ambushes, allowing them to plan and use teamwork.

Code Generator

Grab your favourite 3d6 and roll one per table to quickly generate secret communication methods for your factions and NPCs:

Medium (How it’s conveyed)

  1. Carved symbols or scratches
  2. Arranged objects (stones, coins, twigs)
  3. Specific colours of clothing or paint
  4. Rhythmic tapping or whistling
  5. Distinct odours or burned spices
  6. Deliberate misspellings

Use Case (What is conveyed)

  1. Localized warning (traps, patrols, rival turf)
  2. Safe harbour or a sympathetic ally
  3. Hidden supplies, resources, or contraband
  4. Time and place of a gathering or event
  5. Points out high-value target or wealthy mark
  6. Boasts of a faction victory or makes a threat

The Twist (How to make it gameplay)

  1. Points to an NPC the characters already know and trust.
  2. Is a clever forgery left by a rival faction to lay an ambush.
  3. Being watched or guarded by faction members.
  4. Incomplete or damaged, leaving out one crucial detail the PCs could track down.
  5. Names of or hints about the PCs.
  6. Is a countdown that’s happening right now.

It’s Your Turn

Try this out in your campaign. We don’t need a complex cipher. Instead:

  • Step 1. Roll up a quick code on the tables above.
  • Step 2. Assign the code to one of your active factions.
  • Step 3. Ask: What do they urgently need to communicate right now?
  • Step 4: Drop this clue into your next session. Let the players stumble over it and play to find out what happens.

Don’t forget to log your secret codes into Campaign Logger or your Source of Truth. I put these details in the GM Private Section of my #Languages page:

Cheers,
Johnn
roleplayingtips.com
https://discord.gg/6MxTRAqQ76
Have more fun at every game!

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