Zhentarim

The Zhentarim is a mercenary company and mercantile organization.
On Day 6 of the campaign, Halia Thornton - guildmaster of the Miners' Exchange in Phandalin and member of the Zhentarim - offered Conor McGregor, Herb Stoner and Rayphlárd an opportunity to join the Zhentarim after they successfully defeated Glasstaff. She explained the Zhentarim's plans for taking control of Phandalin now that the Redbrand Ruffians were no longer in the picture. She gave the group 24 hours to decide. Conor, Herb and Rayphlard decided to decline the offer.
Later that day, Conor, Herb and Rayphlard found Alex Redbrand, Eliza Redbrand, Grista-Deceased and the other remaining members of the Redbrand Ruffians at Alex Redbrand's House in Phandalin. During that conversation, Conor, Herb and Rayphlard asked Alex about the Zhentarim, and Alex started to put together why Halia acted the way she did.
On Day 17, Halia approached all of Collateral Damage while they were just north of Phandalin. Halia explained that there were no hard feelings when the group didn't accept her offer to join the Zhentarim. Halia also talked to the group about the Lords' Alliance's growing influence in Phandalin and the new lord Frederich Wulfrun. Halia explained that the Zhentarim informed her that Frederich came from a family that previously ruled Port Llast, and that he's been groomed to be a lord by Dagult Neverember, Lord of Neverwinter.
Known Members:

• Halia Thornton

Public Agenda

Many villages, towns and cities hire armies from The Zhentarim to be their primary defensive forces. Their forces have grown to become massive - if you put all of their forces together they would form one of the largest armies on the planet - but their model is to spread their wealth and influence around everywhere and not concentrate it in one location.
The Zhentarim has the reputation of dealing with illicit goods and contraband, and they use their military power to protect their financial interests. They are known to deal in slaves, poison, drugs and more.

History

Over the last 200 years, The Zhentarim has built up a network of mercenaries, spies and assassins.

Type

Illicit, Syndicate

Notable Members

• Halia Thornton