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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ruleslawyer" data-source="post: 575888" data-attributes="member: 1757">IMC, the Zhents and my PCs have run across each other quite often. The Black Network really is the ultimate catch-all organization, since members of the Zhentarim can be anything from unscrupulous merchants to con artists to petty thugs to demented priests to scheming wizards to manipulative powers-behind-the throne. Some scenarios in which my PCs have encountered the Zhents include the following:-Persistent battles against a particularly tactically-sophisticated and well-equipped goblin tribe based in the Stonelands; a minor Zhent wizard was behind the tribe's attacks;-Encounters with Zhent-affiliated beholders, dragons, illithids, giants, and other monsters (each of whom controlled several monstrous and humanoid minions, respectively) in dungeons, ruins, and forests across the Realms;-Attempts by the Zhents to harass and rob particularly successful adventuring parties emerging from the dungeons of Undermountain in Waterdeep;-Rival parties of Zhent-sponsored adventurers questing for the same objectives as the PC party;-Environmentally-destructive Zhentarim logging operations in the Elven Wood;-Zhentarim infiltration and control over the Merchants' Alliance in the capital city of the kingdom ruled by my PCs;-Zhentarim interference with trading and mining operations mounted by my PCs...The list goes on and on. Here are some traditional Zhent "dirty tricks" that I've used:1) Hired guns. The Zhentarim pursue wealth for a reason. There's no cause to expend your own members on operations when you can hire someone else to do your dirty work. Best is when you hire unknowing patsies who have no clue as to their employer or the ultimate goal behind their activities. IMC, the Zhents have hired or manipulated shapechangers, evil humanoids, non-evil (demi)human adventurers and mercenaries, and even dragons and outsiders to do their dirty work.2) Friends in high places. The Zhents have a great deal of power and influence in places of power throughout the Realms. If PCs interfere with their operations, there should be a legitimate possibility that they incur the ire of the authorities.3) Supply control. Anyone who mounts a campaign against the Zhentarim should expect suddenly-inflated prices for weapons, materiel and rations, and unexpected interruptions in delivery of said supplies. 4) Bribery and espionage. The Zhents should use money and spies, rather than open displays of armed might, to further their objectives. One doppelganger or a few coins in the right place is likely to accomplish far more than an army can.I know these are standard tricks, but it's worth keeping them in mind. Good luck to you!</blockquote>

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