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prototype00
Acolyte
48 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Oct 2023 : 04:25:04
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So for those not up on the state of the Zhentarim circa 1489 DR, the Shades basically blew them up as part of their attempt to become the pre-eminent powers in the Moonsea region.
Out of the wreckage of this period, the Zhentarim reforged themselves to become a not very principled mercantile concern that traded with all sides (basically taking the place of the Red Wizard enclaves after they had their own Doctor Doom vs Latveria civil war moment) for all things, providing anything from mercenaries and slaves to low level magical gear (and they weren't scrupled to trade with evil sorts either) depending on the local market and demand.
They've done well for themselves, all things considered. They are part of the daily milieu even in large cities such as Waterdeep (even if they confine their headquarters to the seedier sides of town) and the Lords don't bat an eye. They are even considered a (semi) legitimate organization troubled adventurers can join (The Black Network is considered a faction in organized play).
I'm just wondering if any one of the elder sages of lore here have the inside track of the Black Network at the moment considering the following:
- Is it all a front? Is dominance of the Moonsea via late stage Capitalism enough, or will they actually want to go back to their Kingdom subverting ways?
- How much internal conflict is there? Waterdeep Dragon Heist has a Monshoon clone leading a "True Black Network" to fight ironically against the existing Black Network. So it seems that there is a faction that says that owning all the coin, period, is enough and there are those more old fashioned types oppose them?
- The Pereghost still (as far as I know) leads them. In the wiki, he is stated to be a worshipper of Cyric and not a very nice person. Has Cyric and his representatives realized that the way to really twist the cosmic knife is basically to become evil (evil-er) Jeff Bezos?
- Any juicy present-day secrets people might be privy to and want to spill?  Where did all the Eye-Tyrants and Zhentil-Liches go? Do they want a slice of the dolla-dolla pie too?
prototype00
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Edited by - prototype00 on 22 Oct 2023 13:50:26
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TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
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_Jarlaxle_
Senior Scribe
Germany
584 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2023 : 13:23:45
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quote:
Originally posted by prototype00
- How much internal conflict is there? Waterdeep Dragon Heist has a Monshoon clone leading a "True Black Network" to fight ironically against the existing Black Network.
If I remember correctly Dragon Heist just says that Manshoon wants to regain control of the Black Network. Nothing about a "True Black Network" fighting the other Black Network Groups.
The current state of the Zhentarim seems to be more of a loose organization that consists of many different groups of different sizes and strengths, each lead by an individual and all calling them selves Zhentarim, but in the end each of them trying to get enough power to claim total leadership. The Brimstone Angels series has some insight into it too.
I think it's unknown, if there still is someone at the top calling the shots from behind the curtain. |
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Karthak
Seeker
63 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2023 : 13:24:28
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This might not be all the information that 5e offers, scant as it is, but here's a basic summary of what I found from various books and Adventurers League PDFS.
- The whole thing is a front for the Zhentarim to covertly rule the land via money, influence and using various cities leaders as puppets for their own benefit. The sword coast portion of the Zhentarim still employs a lot of spies and assassins to do the subverting while hiding behind the facade of only offering mercenaries for hire, which makes sense if Dark
- Dragon Heist's Zhentarim schism appears to basically be a turf war caused by the upstarts refusing to view Manshoon their superior in the Zhentarim, instead of a schism over any ideology, seeing as his plan is to hide his existence and attempting to covertly rule the city which lines up pretty well with the Pereghost's style of running the Zhentarim. While not followed up on, the Tyranny of Dragons adventure mentions some Zhentarim deciding to throw in with the Tiamat summoners as they think that's the winning side, which is unsuprising given the Zhentarim still recruits ambitious people who are in it for their own benefit.
- The Pereghost and Manxam the beholders are mentioned as being the leaders of the Zhentarim, abd based on information from Adventures League, the Zhentarim have some connection to the Church of Bane at least in Zhentil Keep where it holds some influence.
- Given the mention of Manxam in the Darkhold portion of the SCAG, presumably the other eye-tyrants relocated there.
It's likely that Ed's attempted to fill in some gaps on twitter, might be worth combing the more recent Ed threads in Chamber of the Sages. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2023 : 22:08:48
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The Pereghost is one of my favorite Zhentarim members.
However...
I also think he has always been a tool of Manshoon. At least a loyal henchman. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Ruminations on the current state of the Zhentarim
