Details on the Zhentarim

[André Frost]

To all you die-hard RPG'ers:
Are there any of you who could give me some background information on the
Zhentarim?
They just seem like an interesting group, since Sarevok accused them of
starting the tensions between Amn and Baldur's Gate. IIRC, there are some
details in the BG manual, but I lost it some time ago, and I haven't found
it since.

[Bjørn Pedersen]

André Frost skrev i meddelelsen ...

In the Forgotten Realms novel, " Realms of Infamy " ( a collection of small
novels by several known authors..) the Zhentarim are founded by a person
named Manshoon, the First Lord of Zhentil Keep. Zhentil Keep is an evil
city, devoted to the deity, Bane the God of Death.
Manshoon and his followers gradually try to overthrow the dukes and nobles
of Zhentil Keep. Since the short story ends quite openly I don't know if
they succeed...
I don't know about what time the story takes place, but it is before the
Time Of Trouble. It is the only novel/book i have about the Zhentarim or
Zhentil Keep.

Bjørn

[KArunsun]

For specific details on the history and politics of the Zhentarim, buy or
borrow a few of the following TSR novels:

Spellfire
Crown of Fire
The Parched Sea
Crypt of the Shadowking
Thornhold

Shadowdale
Tantras
Waterdeep

Prince Of Lies

Shadows of Doom
Cloak of Shadows
All Shadows Fled

. . . read the TSR Forgotten Realms sourcebook The Code of the Harpers, or the
boxed set The Ruins of Zhentil Keep.

If you don't have the time, money, or inclination for some or all of the
above, then here is a general backgrounder of the Zhentarim:

They are a group of mages, priests, and warriors devoted to the total control
of trade in the Heartlands of Faerun. They are generally a militant order of
lawful evil individuals with three bases of operations - the Citadel of the
Raven, the ruins of the city of Zhentil Keep, and the fortress known as
Darkhold. Their intelligence/ spy network is known as the Black Network, and
its agents may be found anywhere. The Black Network is primarily made up of
mages, theives, and assasins.
The Zhentarim trades in legal and illegal goods. Drugs, poisons, stolen
goods, forbidden artifacts and slaves are the norm. Blackmail, extortion,
thieving, thuggery, kidnapping, and murder are readily engaged in.
The Zhentarim is usually affiliated with one major religion at a time, and
the faithful of said religion make-up the bulk of the priesthood. At first
Bane was the patron power of the Zhentarim, then Cyric. Now the priesthood of
Iyachtu Xvim holds sway over the Citadel of the Raven and the ruins of Zhentil
Keep, while it seems that the priesthood of Cyric has maintained control over
Zhentarim operations from Darkhold on westward. This may change soon . . .
Currently, the Zhentarim is headed by three individuals: Manshoon (LE hm
W19), Fzoul Chembryl (LE hm P16), and Sememmon (LE hm W15). They are referred
to as the Inner Circle, but while Sememmon controls Darkhold, it seems that he
is subordinate to both Manshoon and Fzoul when it comes to the decision- making
process within the Zhentarim.
The enemies of the Zhentarim include the Harpers, the Cult of the Dragon, the
Red Wizards of Thay, the Knights of Myth Drannor, the Church of Mystra, and the
Iron Throne.
I've left out quite a bit, but unless you're writing an essay on the
Zhentarim for school . . .

"Written on the back of Its black-and-orange high school
jacket were the words DERRY HIGH SCHOOL KILLING TEAM.
Below this, the name PENNYWISE.
And in the center, a number: 13." - It