Tell me about the Zhent

[Pielorinho]

I'll be running a game at Gencon in which the Zhent figure peripherally. Having never played in Forgotten Realms, I know just about nothing about the Zhentarim (sp?), and I'm afraid I'll have some smart-aleck player show up and be contradicting everything I say about them if I make stuff up.

So would someone be so kind as to tell me a little bit about them? How they're organized; what their goals are; whether they control a state; what they look like; whom they worship. Stuff like that.

Thanks!
Daniel

 

[Mystery Man]

The Zhentarim (Black Network) is run by Fzoul an evil cleric of the god Bane.

The Church of Bane is one of the Black Network's key allies.
They have suffered some setbacks (if you play this route) due to the Time of Troubles, death of Bane, Elminster, etc..

Bane is back, Zhentil Keep in the Moonsea is rebuilt, "recruiting has slowed due to a reconsolidation of forces in preperation for a future expansion."

Their current focus is to control trade throughout northern Faerun by using an extensive merchant network, and raiding enemy caravans.

They smuggle contriband or restricted items such as slaves, drugs, and other bad stuff.

The current occupant of Darkhold in the Western Heartlands is no longer Sememmon who has been replaced by The Pereghost.

I would suggest you take a look at The Lords of Darkness supplement, it goes into extensive detail on the Zhents and thier main players.

Hope that helps.

 

[Pielorinho]

The Zhentarim (Black Network) is run by Fzoul an evil cleric of the god Bane.

Thanks! So I take it that they don't control any particular country, then? Do they tend to wear purple robes or something? How well-known are they amongst the general populace?

Daniel

 

[Darkness]

Thanks! So I take it that they don't control any particular country, then?

Right, they primarily control Zhentil Keep, one among several large city-states on the Moonsea coast.
They also have a lot of influence in other places, either through bribes, spies or military occupation.

They also have a lot of wizards among their ranks, BTW. (Their founder is a wizard, even. He's still around to assist the organization, but Fzoul is in charge now.)

How well-known are they amongst the general populace?

Their existence, military, general goals, and HQ (i.e., Zhentil Keep) are rather well-known. Specific details, probably less so.

 

[Mystery Man]

So I take it that they don't control any particular country, then?

Mostly the Moonsea north of the Dalelands.

Do they tend to wear purple robes or something?

Nah, they dress like normal but they do have their own symbol (used to be a Z) a black scepter clutched by a black wurm.

 

[BlackMoria]

Zhents and Zhentarium are not the same.

A Zhent is a resident of Zhentil Keep. The Zhentarium is the organization. A member of the Zhentarium is not necessarily a Zhent.

Semantics, perhaps - but it is proper terminology. And a diehard FR player will point out the improper use of Zhent if you use it incorrectly.

I just did, didn't I.

 

[Pielorinho]

Thanks, guys! This is exactly what I'm looking for, nitpicky terminology and everything .

Daniel

 

[Darkness]

Zhents and Zhentarium are not the same.

A Zhent is a resident of Zhentil Keep. The Zhentarium is the organization. A member of the Zhentarium is not necessarily a Zhent.

Semantics, perhaps - but it is proper terminology. And a diehard FR player will point out the improper use of Zhent if you use it incorrectly.

True.

And before 3e, the military of Zhentil Keep (which is of course controlled by the Zhentarim) was called the Zhentilar. Now, they're just part of the Zhentarim, though.
Not all of the Zhent military (whatever it's called) are Zhents, though; many are mercenaries from other places. Quite a few of those mercenaries are (or at least used to be, in 2e) orcs, half-orcs, hobgoblins, gnolls, ogres, etc. (plus a few-odd dwarves, elves, gnomes...)

 

[Faraer]

The Zhentarim is filled with scheming magelings and greater mages working to advance themselves. It plant agents far across the Realms to spy on trade, magical doings, and the like. The Zhentilar are black-armoured warriors ofttimes at odds with the mages. The church of Bane/Cyric/Xvim (depending on time period) subtly feuds with the wizards as well. The whole organization tends towards selfishness, cruelty, and tangled plotting.

The wizards mostly worship Bane and Mystra, the blackhelms Bane and Tempus.