The Zhentarim or the Black Network as it is sometimes known, are a collection
of evil wizards, priests, warriors, and rogues devoted to attaining dominance
and rulership over everything. Anything that cannot be controlled outright must
be threatened into compliance or hobbled and crippled so that it can never pose
a threat.
This desire to rule manifests itself in many ways in the objectives of the
Zhentarim, which are:
- Establish a monopoly on trade between the Moonsea, the Sea of Fallen Stars,
and the Cities of The Sword Coast, in particular Waterdeep;
- Dominate the Moonsea Region, including the cities of Mulmaster and Hillsfar;
- Control the church of Cyric, the new god who has taken the place of Bane;
Create a lucrative supply of slaves to sell to the South;
- Destroy all who stand in the way of these objectives. This includes such
diverse targets as Shadowdale, the Cormyrian military, Elminster, the High
Imperceptor of Bane at Mulmaster, Mulmaster itself, Hillsfar, High Lord Maalthiir
of Hillsfar, all trading costers and organisations which trade with the Sword
Coast, and The Harpers.
The key leader of the Zhentarium is Lord Manshoon, previously of Zhentil Keep,
a very high powered wizard with a wide array of powerful magical items and spells
at his disposal.