Zhentarim

The Zhentarim is a mercenary company with centuries of experience. They are also rumoured to have their own spy network, which would certainly help if true. At this point, they are a pale shadow of what they used to be, but still an important influence and power along the Sword Coast and further north and inland. 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 honour, 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. 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.

Public Agenda

For members of the Zhentarim, it's their family They watch out for it and they watch out for you. But you're also expected to always try to be as powerful as you can be as a person and never accept to be less than the best. Anyone and everything has a price and the Zhentarim are known to get things done. Whatever it is. Most of their operations are completely legal, but they make sure to provide the best value for the money. Especially if that money is a large sum.

Assets

The Black Network is everywhere. Wherever you go, there are likely agents or mercenaries from it. This also gives members access to a lot of things from their allies.