Hello everybody Jorphdan here the PH is silent.
This is the last of the Aventure League factions, although there are still more groups in the
Forgotten Realms to touch on.
Today we’re talking about the Zhentarim.
The Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network is a mercenary company.
They were founded in 1261 DR in Zhentil Keep by a wizard named Manshoon.
Manshoon was the lord of Zhentil Keep, who got his position by eliminating his rivals
(including family members).
Feeling threatened by those around him he recruited a cabal of mages known as the Black
Cloaks to protect him, and soon after he created the Zhentarim.
He wanted an organization that could spy and fight for him when needed.
A group that could act independently of Zhentil Keep.
Over the years the Zhentarim expanded to include Darkhold and the Citadel of the Raven.
The Zhentarim allied themselves with the church of Bane, which became the primary deity of
the group.
This caused some problems during the Time of Troubles when Bane was killed, Cyric wasn’t
much of a replacement deity.
However there was a small sect of Zhentarim that does worship Cyric.
Manshoon’s Black network affected trade.
He had little interest in empire-building, but did like the idea of establishing trade
routes between the Moonsea and the untapped markets of the Sword Coast.
Manshoon recruited a wizard by the name of Fzoul Chembryl who worked
under him for many years.
Eventually in 1370 DR Manshoon was slain by Fzoul, but in the aftermath found themselves
with over a dozen clones the wizard had created of himself.
Now when two clones are alive at the same time, or awake they know the other exists
and all they want to do is kill that other clone.
To be the only one left alive.
This started the Manshoon Wars.
Manshoon eventually countered the clone in fighting with some type of magic he created so the
clones were able to live and work together in peace, but not after most of them died
away.
One of the remaining clones returned to the Zhentarim and gave the leadership over to Fzoul.
Fzoul is a high priest of Bane.
He was killed defending Zhentil Keep against a Netherese attack but Bane raised him back
and he serves his dark deity to this day, bringing terror in the Moonsea area.
Currently the Zhentarim are about 10,000 strong, mainly located around the Moonsea.
Zhentil Keep is the hub of Zhentarim trade in the Heartlands.
Despite efforts of groups like the Harpers and the Purple Dragons the Zhentarim are still
around and pursing control of the Sword Coast.
Many of the factions and groups in Faerun are opposed to the Zhentarim, the Harpers,
the Cult of the Dragon, the Lords’ Alliance, and the Red Wizards.
They do have some allies though, such as Beholders.
Which is odd because to get a Beholder to trust you is very difficult.
The Drow are another ally, they’ll occasionally come to the surface and trade with the Zhentarim.
The Zhentarim really oppose anyone who presents a threat to its primary interests, controlling
trade and world domination.
So other evil groups end up disliking the Zhentarim and the organization doesn’t really
have friends so much as people it puts up with.
Joining the Zhentarim is extremely easy.
You merely present yourself to a high ranking official of the Zhentarim, after a few tests
you’re in.
These tests could be as simple as guiding a caravan to its destination safely, or killing
an enemy of the Zhentarim.
Joining is easy, surviving its ranks is not.
If you ever happen to get some power in the Zhentarim organization you best watch your
back.
Others will steal it from you for their own personal gain, or they’ll just assassinate
you.
The Zhentarim hierarchy follows a linear branching structure with Fzoul Chembryl at the top.
Lords report to him, and each of those lords have people under them and the branching continues
down.
The organization is Lawful Evil and they’ll recruit just about anybody.
Wizards are especially wanted, but clerics of Bane are welcome as well as fighters and
monks.
The Zhentarim are very active all across the northern part of Faerun.
They have agents, caravans, and soldiers at key points.
Along with spies everywhere.
The Zhentarim bully and blackmail people into working with them.
Merchants might be faced with violent thugs intent on delaying a shipment, or convincing
him to find a different supplier.
Sometimes the Zhentarim will bribe monsters with money or magical items if it falls into
a larger plan for them.
The Zhentarim are very organized and intelligent in their efforts.
The Zhentarim strive for wealth and power.
Publically they offer the best mercenaries money can buy.
They offer escort services for caravans as well as bodyguards for nobles.
The cost of dealing with the Black Network is high.
The Zhentarim wants to ensure you’ll be a returning customer, at any cost.
They’ll make it necessary for you to continue hiring guards for your caravans, attacking
said caravans if you don’t pay.
It’s like working with the mob, paying money to keep them from attacking your business.
Just took over a castle or keep with a Zhentarim Army?
The Zhentarim will hold it ransom with the very army you just used to capture it.
The easiest way to invade a kingdom is to be invited in.
Their ultimate goal is to create an iron fisted monopoly.
They want to make everyone dependant on the Black Network.
The beliefs of the Zhentarim are as follows.
The Zhentarim is your family.
You watch out for it, and it watches out for you.
You are the master of your own destiny.
Never be less than what you deserve to be.
And finally Everything, and everyone, has a price.
The end goal being to amass wealth, power, and influence.
And that’s it for today.
In Adventure League I know that if you wanted to play an Lawful Evil character you are more
or less resigned to being part of the Zhentarim.
I imagine lots of neutral Adventure League characters chose join them.
I’m not entirely sure what’s planned for next week, I have some more factions I can
go over so stay tuned.
Thanks for liking and subscribing.
I’ll see you all next week.