Appendix G — The Argot

This specialized tactical communication system was developed by Kragor and Doctor Pepe to facilitate silent or coded coordination in the field. Drawing heavily from Kragor’s Orcish pragmatism and Doctor Pepe’s extensive knowledge of Thieves Cant, the language is designed to be punchy, guttural, and highly situational.

Every concept has both a verbal component and a hand signal. The verbal components are Orcish or Orcish-derived words: opaque to most listeners, who hear only foreign guttural noise. Each has a loose Common equivalent, the conceptual seed from which the term was coined, noted in parentheses. The hand signals are designed to be performed with one hand (leaving weapons readied) and can be held stationary or repeated to ensure they are seen in low light.

The Subterfuge signals are an exception: their verbal components are Common phrases designed to sound like unremarkable small talk, not Orcish.

Subterfuge & Covert

(These are intended to be used subtly in plain sight without drawing suspicion.)

Play Along
Verbal: “It’s a bright day.” (Or any overly pleasant, generic weather observation).
Signal: Scratching the back of the neck while slightly averting eyes. (Looks like a nervous or casual tic).
Meaning: I may not be telling the truth, but roll with it.
Telepathy
Verbal: “My head aches.” (Or complaining about a headache/migraine).
Signal: Briefly pressing two fingers to the temple, as if massaging a headache.
Meaning: Requesting Kragor to initiate a telepathic link.

Movement & Positioning

Halt / Freeze
Verbal: “Durg.” (stone)
Signal: Clenched fist raised to shoulder height.
Meaning: Stop all movement immediately.
Advance / Push
Verbal: “Grush.” (surge)
Signal: Flat hand positioned vertically (karate chop), moving forward repeatedly.
Meaning: Move forward aggressively.
Scatter / Fade
Verbal: “Skath.” (dust)
Signal: Hand open, fingers spread wide, held.
Meaning: Break formation, hide, and regroup later.
Rally
Verbal: “Grul.” (knot)
Signal: Forefinger pointing straight up, rotating in a tight circle.
Meaning: Group up on the signaler.
Flank
Verbal: “Vorak.” (hook)
Signal: Thumb and forefinger extended (L-shape), hand sweeping out and around repeatedly.
Meaning: Pincer movement / go around the enemy.
Hold Position / Wait
Verbal: “Brak.” (anchor)
Signal: Open palm facing the ground, pushing down slightly and holding.
Meaning: Stay put but be ready.
Retreat / Fall Back
Verbal: “Zugh.” (tide)
Signal: Flat hand, palm facing away, arm sweeping backward over the shoulder in a repeated arc.
Signal (Beast): Sweeping or scooping backward motion with the forelimbs, drawing momentum back toward the self.
Meaning: Organized withdrawal; fall back to a previous position or out of engagement range.

Threat Identification

Enemy Spotted
Verbal: “Gakh.” (rot)
Signal: Index finger pointing at the threat, thumb folded over.
Signal (Beast): Forelimb extended toward the target, remaining limbs drawn close to the body.
Meaning: General hostile presence.
Mage / Spellcaster
Verbal: “Zikk.” (spark)
Signal: Fingers snapping open and closed rapidly (like a flickering flame).
Meaning: High-priority target, magic user.
Trap / Hazard
Verbal: “Skrag.” (snag)
Signal: Index and middle fingers crossed tightly.
Signal (Beast): Two adjacent forelimbs crossed in an ‘X’ or binding shape.
Meaning: Environmental danger, tripwires, poison.
Ambush / We Are Watched
Verbal: “Drath.” (chill)
Signal: Tapping the side of the nose repeatedly.
Signal (Beast): Rhythmic tapping against the side of the muzzle, whiskers, or pedipalps.
Meaning: Something is wrong, be alert.
Heavy
Verbal: “Goruk.” (iron)
Signal: Fist tapping the chest or shoulder repeatedly.
Meaning: A heavily armored or massive brute target.
Soft / Squishy
Verbal: “Vrith.” (silk)
Signal: Rubbing thumb and forefinger together repeatedly.
Meaning: An easy kill — low threat for whatever reason.
Valuables / Loot
Verbal: “Zhiv.” (glimmer)
Signal: Tapping the side of the cheek repeatedly.
Meaning: Target of opportunity or mission objective.

Tactics & Combat Actions

Strike / Attack Now
Verbal: “Krakh.” (bite)
Signal: An open hand sweeping the arm from back to front in a repeated throwing motion.
Signal (Beast): Body drawn back, forelimbs sweeping forward toward the target in a repeated striking motion.
Meaning: Initiate combat.
Distract / Noise
Verbal: “Vuzz.” (smoke)
Signal: Waving an open hand loosely near the face.
Meaning: Create a diversion.
Quiet / Stealth
Verbal: “Nurk.” (hush)
Signal: Forefinger over the lips, held stationary.
Meaning: Move silently, no talking.
Restrain / Keep Alive
Verbal: “Griv.” (cork)
Signal: Thumb pointing sideways, held steady.
Meaning: Capture, do not kill.
Focus Fire
Verbal: “Thargg.” (nail)
Signal: Index and middle finger spread in a V, aimed at the target, held steady.
Meaning: Everyone attack my target.

Status & Condition

Clear / Safe
Verbal: “Ursh.” (washed)
Signal: Open palm facing outward, fingers together, held steady.
Signal (Beast): All tension relaxed from the limbs, body flattened or pressed against a surface, held steady.
Meaning: Area is secure, threats neutralized.
Ready / Affirmative
Verbal: “Dak.” (set)
Signal: Thumb up, held steady.
Meaning: I understand / I am in position.
Need a Patch / Hurt
Verbal: “Brugh.” (leak)
Signal: Gripping the opposite bicep tightly and holding.
Meaning: I am heavily wounded / Need medical help.