Zhentarim

The Zhentarim, aka The Black Network, are soldiers (from black-plate-armored veteran warriors to marauding orc mercenaries) commanded by aggressively cruel minor wizards of more ambition than power, who report to truly powerful mages headed by the sly-tongued Lord Manshoon. The Zhentarim seem bent on enriching themselves and controlling towns, villages, and entire realms along a trade route linking the Moonsea with the Sword Coast (specifically the Waterdeep area) via Darkhold and Zhentil Keep. They smuggle slaves, poisons, and contraband. The Zhent's public perception in Waterdeep shifted for the better in 1489 DR when they allied with several other factions, including those which would otherwise be enemies, to rise up against the Cult and Red Wizards' attempts to free the dragon god Tiamat. Their agents Jubrayle and Jamna Gleamsilver were amoung the adventurers involved liberating Blagothkus and Skyreach Castle, turning the tide against the cult.

History

he driving force behind the founding of the Zhentarim of Zhentil Keep was the wizard Manshoon, whose thirst for power, domination, and rulership almost matched the hunger of the beholders for the same. More than aught else, Manshoon desired to increase his personal magical might so he could dom Manshoon
inate wizards and sorcerers. He considered mighty wielders of the Art as superior beings to the “common cattle” of humanity. To rule them is to rule the best and thus to be the best.
Manshoon wanted to achieve a life of relative ease and luxury, to spend his time crafting ever stronger spells, and so make himself the greatest of the wizards. To do that, he would need great wealth to afford all he wanted for spell crafting. He preferred not to suffer the endless interruptions and perils of hiring out his magic to others to raise funds - in such pursuits he would come into frequent contact with adventurers and mercenaries who might kill him, steal from him, or gain a hold over him.
Enter the central goal he set for the Zhentarim: to establish the shortest trade route linking the Moonsea with the rich markets of the Sword Coast lands. Finding and controlling better trade routes than those of all his rivals would become the daily work of his magelings, as he set them tasks that would test them, weed out the fools and the undisciplined, and force them into rivalries that would keep them at each other’s throats rather than plotting against him.