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Zhentarim The organization encourages individual ambition and
rewards innovators who take matters into their own
The Zhentarim, also called the
hands. Results are all that matter. Those who come
Black Network, is an organiza-
into the Black Network with nothing can become major
tion of well-trained mercenaries,
players within the organization through their own
savvy rogues, and crafty war-
ambition and perseverance.
locks who seek to expand their
influence and power throughout Membership in the Zhentarim is like a key to a thousand
Faerûn. Agents of the Zhen- doors, each one a gateway to fulfilling a personal desire.
tarim believe that if they play
Most people shy away from this kind of freedom. They like
by the rules, nothing gets done.
Ultimately, they want to make their restraints, laws, and swaddling—it gives them the illu-
the rules—and, in some cases, sion of security.
they already have. They walk a
The Black Network provides what I need to explore realms
careful line when it comes to fol-
and dimensions that would tear apart minds accustomed to
lowing the letter of the law and
don’t shy away from the occa- limits. Only in such places can I find magic powerful enough
sional shady deal or illicit activity to defeat beings that know no such things as time, fear, or
to get what they want.
mercy. You might not like the Zhentarim’s methods, but when
To the Zhentarim, wealth is power. Its agents know
a demon crawls out of the Abyss and comes for your family,
that nothing else inspires such confidence and dispels
doubt so well. Zhentarim agents routinely carry the finest you’ll be glad that I have gone to the darkest of realms to find
weapons and armor, since the faction spares no expense the answer to your problem.
in their outfitting. When a merchant needs an escort for a
—Ianna Asterion
caravan, when a noble family requires bodyguards to pro-
tect its holdings, or when a city is desperate for trained
soldiers to defend its walls, the Zhentarim provides the
best warriors money can buy.

RICHARD WHITTERS

Appendix C: The Five Factions
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D&D Basic Rules (Version 1.0). Not for resale. Permission granted to print and photocopy this document for personal use only.