The Zhentarim

The Zhentarim seeks to become omnipresent and inescapable, more wealthy and powerful, and most importantly, untouchable. The public face of the organization appears much more benign, offering the best mercenaries money can buy. When a merchant needs an escort for his caravan, when a noble needs bodyguards to protect her holdings, or when a city needs trained soldiers to defend its honor, the Zhentarim provides the best-trained fighting men and women money can buy. However, the cost of doing business with the Black Network can be high. The Black Network wants to make it necessary—and preferable, even—to deal with its members. It wants to secure, over time, an iron-fisted monopoly. Members must be the best—the cheapest, the fastest, and the most secure—at providing services and goods both legal and illicit, willing to lose coin if it means destroying a competitor, and securing profits from everyone they deal with, except when to do so would work against the Black Network's ultimate goal: to make everyone dependent on it.
A member of the Zhentarim thinks of himself or herself as a member of a very large family and relies on the Black Network for resources and security. However, members are granted enough autonomy to pursue their own interests and gain some measure of personal power or influence.

BELIEFS

• 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.
• Everything—and everyone—has a price.

GOALS

To amass wealth, power, and influence.

Zhentarim Ranks

The Zhentarim recognizes and rewards ambition, granting its members autonomy to pursue their own interests and gain some measure of personal power or influence. In this way, the the organization is a meritocracy. The Zhentarim welcomes dangerous times as opportunities.

• Fang (1 Renown)
• Wolf (3 Renown)
• Viper (10 Renown)
• Ardragon (25 Renown)
• Dread Lord (50 Renown)

RANK 1: Fang (1 Renown)

This is the rank a character receives when first joining the Zhentarim. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.
Receive Your Faction's Insignia. The insignia for the Zhentarim is a gold or iron coin stamped with the symbol of the flying wyrm.

RANK 2: Wolf (3 Renown)

Wolves have shown that they are aligned with the Zhentarim's goals, and can take on more responsibility. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.
Faction Training. The Zhentarim offers training in Disguise kit, Forgery kit, Poisoner's kit, or Thieves' tools.

RANK 3: Viper (10 Renown)

Vipers are reliable faction agents, entrusted with many secrets and deserving of additional support during adventures. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.
Item Procurement. The Zhentarim can procure the following items for a Viper:
Uncommon rarity: +1 weapon or +1 shield, slippers of spider climb Rare rarity: +1 armor, ring of evasion

RANK 4: Ardragon (25 Renown)

Ardragons are trusted voices within the Zhentarim. They are looked upon as champions. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.
Becoming a Mentor. The Zhentarim can requisition a zhentarim thug or zhentarim cult fanatic to serve the Ardragon.

Founding Date

1261 DR

Notable Members

• Baishu
• Kella Darkhope