Zhentarim

The Zhentarim is a fictional organization in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Also known as the Black Network, it is an evil organization based on the continent of Faerûn. One of its goals is to dominate the lands from the Moonsea to the Sword Coast North. It is a criminal network that worships Bane. Originally a secret society, the Zhentarim have operated openly in the area of the Moonsea, particularly around Zhentil Keep, its greatest base of operations. The organization was led for a long time by Fzoul Chembryl, Chosen of Bane and High Lord of the Zhentarim. In 4th edition, its leader is Manshoon, a vampiric clone of the original wizard Manshoon, formerly known as Orbakh.

Many Zhentarim are simply opportunistic merchants; however, some do resort to illicit acts such as attacking rival caravans, extorting villages for food, or far more serious crimes like arson and murder. Bandits are hired by the Zhentarim to attack other caravans and towns. Wizards are also hired to conjure up or enrage foul monsters. During the period of time described by version 3.5, the Zhentarim have been sending some older members of their organization to frontier nations such as the Silver Marches, where they buy land and become peaceable homesteaders, raising their own families and biding their time until they are called upon again.

The original Zhentarim rose to open rule in what is now Zhentil Keep, then seized control of the Citadel of the Raven from the other Moonsea cities that shared it. They expanded their influence by conquering Teshendale, Voonlar, and Yûlash, and have plotted the conquests of Shadowdale, Daggerdale, and Mistledale. The Zhents have entire armies hidden away in the Citadel of the Raven and in a fortress called Darkhold, which is somewhere in the Western Heartlands. Zhents govern affairs east to the walls of Mulmaster, north through the Ride and the Cold Lands to the Great Glacier, and south through the weaker Dales.

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