The Zhentarim

The World's Whisper, Black Network and Chosen of Bane, the Zhentarim have had many names over the past 300 years. Initially founded as a mercenary company indentured to the dark, Netherese wizard Malshone, the Zhentarim has evolved over the years and added thousands of new members, forming into a loosely connected, globe spanning organization whose main goal is accumulation of power and wealth, to be used by their members and leaders as they see fit.

In the area of Faerun, the Zhentarim have been growing in power over the last two decades, having worked their members into positions of importance and power all across the continent. At this point, there are entire city states and kingdoms who are pledged to the Zhentarim, even if it is not known publicly by the citizens of said nations.

Over the last few years, there has been major fighting in the Sword Coast, between a coalition of cities backed by the power of Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep and those who are secretly backed by the cabal at the heart of the Zhentarim, the Coterie. The Coterie is made up of the members known as Prime Nodes