Zhentarim
Oh, the sneaky, conniving rascals. If it wasn't for their rampant egotism, indiscriminate murder, abhorrent gods and the fact that you cannot trust a single one of them, I might quite like these Zhentarim.Purfbin Doogrick, Hero of Daggerford
The Black Network was initially formed as a mercenary company by the dark wizard Manshoon to extend his command over the Moonsea and expand that reign over the entire continent and, eventually, its neighbours. Recruiting first from the faithful of Bane, but enlisting not only soldiers but also unscrupulous merchants and lesser mages, they sought to dominate all aspects of Faerûn by either manipulation or outright domination, mercilessly eliminating any obstacles to those goals.
As might be expected within an organisation following such a doctrine, this made for both major leaps in successes as it infiltrated, subverted or seized additional footholds, but also considerable misfortunes as a result of ruthless internal politics and the inexorable rise of resolute opponents and outright enemies. Manshoon was slain by Fzoul Chembryl in 1370 DR, who focused on proselytism and indenturing leaders to serve Bane or Cyric, but the rise of the Pereghost, commander of the army of Darkhold, into the early 15th century began a substantive evolution of the organisational philosophy.
The Pereghost distinguished his command by being one of the only subdivisions in the Black Network where soldiers were promoted by merit, not through scheming, corruption or assassination, making him not just feared, but respected by the Zhentilar. This elicited an unprecedented degree of loyalty within his ranks and to the greater cause and, when Fzoul Chembryl was killed in a Netherese attack on Zhentil Keep in 1469 DR, there was no substantial resistance to the Pereghost’s ascension to leader.
Now officially known as the Zhentarim, over the past two decades it has reverted to aligning with original ideals, offering guards, soldiers, agents, insurgents and emissaries to act openly or covertly to whomever could pay for its services, or inserting them as an investment whenever an opportunity to increase wealth, influence or power might arise. While many of the practices and services offered are completely legal, a Zhentarim delegate invariably has either a vested interest or an actual hand in almost every illegal activity on the continent, and the institution now is a vast and syndicate, vigorously active politically and commercially, embracing thieves, spies, assassins, magic users and clergy from various faiths, with the only criteria being a willingness to serve malevolent self-interest.
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