Zhentarim

The Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network, are a merchant network and mercenary group. They are led by ⁠Pereghost of ⁠Darkhold.

“

If you've got coin to spend and problems to solve, the Zhent will relieve you of both.

„

— Zarys

Background[edit section | visual editor]

The Zhentarim are an unscrupulous mercenary group that cultivates power through smuggling and backroom deals. They were once part of the cult of Bane. Their leadership was thought destroyed along with their headquarters at ⁠Zhentil Keep in 1383 DR, until the rise of ⁠Pereghost led to their resurgence.^[1]

“	Steel ends enemies, but gold makes friends.	„
	— Proverb by Manshoon, founder of the Zhentarim

Involvement[edit section | visual editor]

Act One[edit section | visual editor]

 Roah Moonglow can be encountered in the Shattered Sanctum within the Goblin Camp. Speaking with her provides some background information on the shady dealings of the Zhentarim and allows the party to trade with her.

Along the Risen Road, the party can discover a Zhentarim caravan attacked by gnolls and begin the quest to ⁠Find the Missing Shipment. This leads to a cave where  Rugan and  Olly are attempting to defend themselves from Flind and her pack of Gnolls.

The Zhentarim can also be found in the Zhentarim hideout below Waukeen's Rest. The entrance is guarded by  Salazon, who threatens to blow up the party with a large number of  Firewine barrels if they do not know the password or pass an ability check. This group of Zhentarim is led by  Zarys, and bringing her the unopened  Caravan Strongbox gains her favor and allows the party to trade with  Brem for unique equipment. The party can also bargain with Brem in order to free  Oskar Fevras as part of the quest to ⁠Free the Artist.

Act Two[edit section | visual editor]

If Roah Moonglow and her bodyguards were not killed in Act One, they can be found in Moonrise Towers, where Roah has new items for sale. Even if the party attacked the Goblin Camp in Act One, Roah pretends she has never seen them before. When pressed, she reveals that she would rather trade with the party than get on their bad side by revealing this information to the Cult of the Absolute.

The  Zhentarim Shipping Crate can be found on the docks next to Moonrise Towers, revealing just how much the Zhentarim are doing to assist the the Absolutists.

Act Three[edit section | visual editor]

Several Zhentarim, such as  Phase, can be found inside the Guildhall in the Lower City Sewers. They have an uneasy alliance with  Nine-Fingers Keene in the face of the threat posed by The Stone Lord. The  Caravan Strongbox can also be delivered to  Slick Inatra if it had not been given to Zarys before. In the event that the cargo had been previously opened, Inatra reveals that the Zhentarim below Waukeen's Rest were killed upon their arrival in the city, and that she would rather not take a "botched shipment", ignoring the party's attempts at delivering the cargo.^[2]

During the quest to ⁠Return Rakath's Gold, the party can stumble upon a tadpoled and brainwashed  Minsc helping  'Jaheira' bribe the Zhentarim to betray The Guild. If Roah Moonglow is still alive at this point then she represents the Zhentarim, and if not then  Boss Friol takes her place. Once combat begins, either Roah or Friol attempts to escape with the gold and head to the Guildhall.

Returning to the Guildhall reveals that the Zhentarim have turned on the Guild and are preparing for battle. If the party did not stop Roah or Friol from fleeing, they attempt to convince the party to ally with them against the Guild. Alternatively, if either of them has been killed and prevented from escaping during the battle against Minsc,  Trinoda takes their place and starts the takeover, without making any attempts at persuading the party for their aid.

Helping the Zhentarim overthrow the Guild makes them allies in the ⁠Gather Your Allies quest, with some of the surviving Zhentarim members becoming possible summons in ⁠Confront the Elder Brain through the use of the  Gather Your Allies action  Black Fist Enforcers. In the Epilogue, Baldur's Mouth Gazette headlines and dialogue with Minsc indicate that the Zhentarim usurped the Flaming Fist as "peacekeepers" on Baldur's Gate's streets.