Zhentarim
The following information is sourced from Tyranny of Dragons.
The Zhentarim – also known as the Black Network – is a loose affiliation of merchants, mercenaries, and malefactors. Common folk know the Zhentarim as the people you talk to when you need the best guards or mercenaries money can buy. And if the cargo is shady or the cause you’re fighting for is questionable or even unjust, the Zhentarim don’t mind.
Unknown to all but a few, the heart of the Zhentarim is a cabal of evil and sometimes monstrous leaders who seek to extend the Black Network’s blood-soaked reach into every assassination, black market, and illegal deal that happens in Faerûn. The order’s criminal connections burrow into every major city and thieves’ guild in the Western Heartlands and along the Sword Coast. Wherever a city’s coinage is disasterously underminded by counterfitting, wherever an up-and-coming business runs roughshod over its established competitors, and wherever a political struggle turns to widespread intimidation, it’s a safe bet that the Zhentarim are involved.
DM Notes
Black Network agents are useful NPCs that you can introduce at appropriate times during the adventure. If the characters need information or gear they can’t obtain any other way, seeking out or being approached by a Zhentarim agent is an easy way for you to provide it. Alternatively, if events are going too smoothly for the heroes, you can introduce a few rogue Black Network agents to throw a wrench into the characters’ plans at the worst possible moment.
Affiliation with the Zhentarim can be profitable to sellswords thieves, and rogues of every stripe. A typical Black Network agent is a highly capable individual with no scruples. Some Zhentarim have winged snake companions that carry messages on scrolls as they fly, allowing agents to keep in contact with one another.
Zhentarim NPC Template
Name: Rian Nightshade
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Species: Tiefling
Class: Warlock
Ideals: Logic, greed ("I'm certain we can come to an agreement that all parties will favour. But if not, we have other means of settling the issue.")
Interaction Traits: Polite, mercantile, ruthless
Resources: Assassins and mercenaries
Rian doesn't have any particular interest in morality, and evil acts have no impact on her attitude towards the party. If the party has earned the Zhentarim's respect, they provide their services at only a nominal cost. Unlike other groups, the Zhentarim's loyalty can be purchased regardless of their respect for the characters, if they party can negotiate terms of payment.
The Zhentarim – also known as the Black Network – is a loose affiliation of merchants, mercenaries, and malefactors. Common folk know the Zhentarim as the people you talk to when you need the best guards or mercenaries money can buy. And if the cargo is shady or the cause you’re fighting for is questionable or even unjust, the Zhentarim don’t mind.
Unknown to all but a few, the heart of the Zhentarim is a cabal of evil and sometimes monstrous leaders who seek to extend the Black Network’s blood-soaked reach into every assassination, black market, and illegal deal that happens in Faerûn. The order’s criminal connections burrow into every major city and thieves’ guild in the Western Heartlands and along the Sword Coast. Wherever a city’s coinage is disasterously underminded by counterfitting, wherever an up-and-coming business runs roughshod over its established competitors, and wherever a political struggle turns to widespread intimidation, it’s a safe bet that the Zhentarim are involved.
DM Notes
Using the Zhentarim
Black Network agents are useful NPCs that you can introduce at appropriate times during the adventure. If the characters need information or gear they can’t obtain any other way, seeking out or being approached by a Zhentarim agent is an easy way for you to provide it. Alternatively, if events are going too smoothly for the heroes, you can introduce a few rogue Black Network agents to throw a wrench into the characters’ plans at the worst possible moment.
Affiliation with the Zhentarim can be profitable to sellswords thieves, and rogues of every stripe. A typical Black Network agent is a highly capable individual with no scruples. Some Zhentarim have winged snake companions that carry messages on scrolls as they fly, allowing agents to keep in contact with one another.
Zhentarim NPC Template
Name: Rian Nightshade
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Species: Tiefling
Class: Warlock
Ideals: Logic, greed ("I'm certain we can come to an agreement that all parties will favour. But if not, we have other means of settling the issue.")
Interaction Traits: Polite, mercantile, ruthless
Resources: Assassins and mercenaries
Rian doesn't have any particular interest in morality, and evil acts have no impact on her attitude towards the party. If the party has earned the Zhentarim's respect, they provide their services at only a nominal cost. Unlike other groups, the Zhentarim's loyalty can be purchased regardless of their respect for the characters, if they party can negotiate terms of payment.
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