Zhentarim

The Zhentarim, (pronounced: /zˈhɛntɑːrɪm/ z-HENT-ah-rim[4]) previously known as the Black Network,[5] was a mercenary company, and greater mercantile organization in Faerûn,[6] who, over their 200 years of existence, has had a storied history as a cadre of self-serving thieves, spies, assassins and malevolent wizards,[7] who for a time, were indentured by their leaders to serve dark gods Bane[8] and Cyric.[9] Over the decades, the organization experienced several leaps and bounds in terms of successes,[10] but also major misfortune, particularly for their historical strongholds around the Moonsea.[11] As of 1489 DR the Zhentarim was headquartered in the Western Heartlands, at Darkhold Castle, nestled in the valley of the same name.
The Zhentarim have in recent years under the leadership of Dharkon and in partnership with the Zhentilar, been lead on a series of campaigns bringing them into power across the realms, and are now one of the foremost powers on Toril, the largest continent on Faerun.