The Leadership
First Rank: The Tolak
LADY AVREZT, CASTELLAN OF DARKHOLD AND TOLAK OF THE ZHENTARIM
FEMALE HUMAN WIZARD (POLYMORPHED BEHOLDER MAGE)
Avrezt is one of the Tolak that lead the Zhentarim. She commands the three elite corps quartered at Darkhold and oversees the training of much of the Zhentarim. Since Manshoon rarely leaves Stormwatch, Avrezt has near complete autonomy. Avrezt commands the three elite corps quartered at Darkhold and oversees the training. Since Manshoon rarely leaves Stormwatch, Avrezt has near complete autonomy. She is a dark, brooding beauty and carries an undeniable aura of command. She looks you over with an imperious eye.
In reality, “she” is an “it”. Avrezt is actually the beholder mage, Ixathinon, polymorphed into human form. Since rising to the rank of Tolak, Ixathinon has been working to make the Zhentarim an instrument of beholders.
Key Traits: Domineering. Haughty. Imperious. Xenophobic.
Goal:
Motivation:
Fears: It doesn’t remember any.
Weaknesses: Ixathinon is extremely xenophobic and openly contemptuous of humans and other “lesser races”. She is also a glutton with a penchant for eating gnomes and finds fresh gnome next to impossible to resist.
Second Rank: Senior Black Cloak
TAALOR DARKHOPE, SENIOR BLACK CLOAK OF DARKHOLD
MALE HUMAN SUMMONER WIZARD
Taalor Darkhope is an incredibly intelligent man with eclectic tastes in literature and is widely read. Taalor is often called "The Binder"
because of his expertise in summoning creatures and binding them to his will. He has created helmed horrors and homunculi.
Taalor is particularly concerned about the recently arrived cleric of Bane and her designs upon him.
NOMBRAIL CALIST, WATCHFUL SKULL OF CYRIC
MALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
Nombrail Calist is the high cleric of Cyric at Darkhold and spreads the word of the Black Sun through the Zhentarim. A treacherous weasel of a man who delights in abusing his underlings, he despises Fzain and longs for the day that Avrezt gives him leave to crush the hated Banite. Until then, he taunts and provokes her at every opportunity. Nombrail’s long-term goal is to free Cyric from his imprisonment, and he urges Avrezt to pursue this goal at every opportunity.
Honorary Second Rank: Ambassadors
FZAIN NERIST, BANITE EMISSARY FROM MULMASTER
FEMALE HUMAN CLERIC OF BANE
Fzain Nerist is the representative of the High Imperceptor in Mulmaster to the Zhentarim. A stunningly beautiful woman with honeyed locks and
dressed in the red and black vestments of Bane approaches you.
Born in a family of dedicated Banites, Fzain was named in honour of Bane’s exarch, Fzoul. Manshoon will not permit her into Stormwatch so she stays at Darkhold. She is a strong-willed woman and a brilliant speaker who is able to sway crowds. This, combined with her good looks, has made her popular among the sellswords at Darkhold and brought some into the service of the Black Hand. She is convinced that Bane is the future of the Realms and will triumph over all other gods. She has occasional liaisons with Tomias, but she has her eye on Taalor.
APOSTROPHE DOUBLE APOSTROPHE, DROW EMISSARY FROM SSHAMATH
FEMALE DROW CLERIC OF SHAR OR MALE DROW SHADOW ADEPT
Third Rank: The Captains
GRON, CAPTAIN OF THE STORM WATCH
MALE DRAGONBORN PALADIN OF CYRIC
Gron left his homeland of Tymanther for reasons that have never been specified. Because of Gron’s horrible temper, it is commonly believed that he murdered someone important during one of his rages and had to flee the country. Gron is a devout follower of Cyric and revels in the strife of physical combat. He has little respect for Tomias and believes him to be a two-faced cad. If he finds out that Tomias is passing information to Fzain, Gron will kill him.
HULT IRONTOE, MASTER OF RECRUITS
MALE DWARF BRAWLER FIGHTER
Hult Irontoe is a dangerous and aggressive dwarf, a bully. The position suits Hult fine as he likes hurting people and his rank gives him plenty of opportunity to do so. Hult Irontoe hired on as a mercenary to the Zhentarim about twenty years ago. Always a dangerous and aggressive dwarf, Hult bullied the other Zhents. After Hult killed the former Master of Recruits in bare-fisted brawl and then intimidated a room full of observers into silence, Avrezt made him the new master. The position suits Hult fine as he likes hurting people and his rank gives him plenty of opportunity to do so.
TOMIAS PALESUN, CAPTAIN OF THE GREY FEATHERS
MALE HALF-ELF RANGER
Tomias Palesun is a seemingly easygoing man with a quick wit and many jokes, but he has the cold eyes of a killer. Tomias is a firm supporter of Bane, and is having a liaison with the cleric of Bane. During their trysts, he feeds information to Fzain about Zhentarim activities.
JESYM DREIN, CAPTAIN OF THE OUTRIDERS
FEMALE HALFLING RANGER/ROGUE
Jesym Drein, a halfling, intends to build up her cult of personality among the Zhents of Darkhold until she has enough support to split from the Zhentarim and form her own mercenary band.
Jesym Drein is very friendly with the PCs as she sees them as potential recruits to her future plots. She recently rose to command after she managed the “accidental” death of Hallook Breidorlzan, the former captain. Once she has the Outriders consolidated under her control, she intends to build up her cult of personality among the Zhents of Darkhold until she has enough support to split from the Zhentarim and form her own mercenary band.
NYTH “GREYCLOAK” ARILANTHER, BLACK CLOAK
MALE HUMAN WIZARD
Signature Spells: sleep, glitterdust, fly, Evard’s black tentacles, missile mastery (swats away arrows)
PROBOLAR, BLACK CLOAK
MALE HUMAN WIZARD
Linked to the Cult of the Dragon. Signature Spells/Items: flaming staff (dragon head), fireball.
CYRICSON MOLTAR, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
Dashingly handsome, engaging smile, perfect white teeth, cruel, pragmatist: this is Cyricson. His robes are of purple velvet from the hide of a displacer beast and his unholy symbol is solid platinum. Signature spell: blade barrier. His bodyguard, Briemulk, would sacrifice himself for Cyricson.
MELITHUA, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
FEMALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
SMOLITUNG, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
MALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
Smolitung lacks subtlety. He is just a thug. He prefers to fight with a morningstar. He is muscular and has a large scar on the left side of his face from the claw of a dragon. He hates dragons and dragonborn.
Fourth Rank: The Jacks
Dardres Halamer, Strifeleader of Cyric
Laerdan Istus, Strifeleader of Cyric
Thorak Srasam, Zhent War Mage (prefers fire spells)
LERILENANIEL, BEAST TAMER OF DARKHOLD
FEMALE ELF RANGER
Lerilenaniel is quiet and doesn't like people very much. She bears scars from torture at the hands of inquisitors under the command of the High Observer.
Lerilenaniel has a deep and lasting hatred of the High Observer of Torm who rules Elturgard over his barricading of the Reaching Woods. She uses monsters to kill or harass the paladins of Elturgard, even though Avrezt has ordered her not to provoke the city.
Lerilenaniel is cool and distant to the PCs, especially any elves or eladrin. If any of the PCs are drow, she spits on the ground. Lerilenaniel mostly wanders the wilds of Western Heartlands, hunting for monsters, trapping them, and then moving them to places where needed by the Zhentarim. She is quiet and doesn't like people very much. Lerilenaniel has a deep and lasting hatred of the High Observer of Torm who rules Elturgard over his barricading of the Reaching Woods. She uses monsters to kill or harass the paladins of Elturgard, even though Avrezt has ordered her not to provoke the city. The hippogriff that Lerilenaniel is petting is named Bitey.
RIKLA ULGRYM, QUARTERMASTER OF DARKHOLD
FEMALE HALF-ORC THIEF
Rikla Ulgrym is harried by the constant requests for supplies. Rikla is particularly angry at Jesym as the old captain of the Outriders was her embezzlement partner. Hult Irontoe has taken an instant dislike to Rikla and considers her weak and therefore a target. Rikla has to actively avoid the dwarf or suffer his beatings.
Others
Orto, Peltham; Zhent Soldiers
Thusk Tharmuil of Glister, Zhent War Mage (cold spells)
Menzel, apprentice to Thusk
Malunko, half-orc fighter; Grognar, Argrath- human fighters
Zzygarn, black dragon
VARLOSH, ARCHIVIST OF DARKHOLD
Varlosh is a vampire and follower of Shar. He is disliked by many Black Cloaks as he keeps close tabs on the amount of income they are supposed to be reporting.
Varlosh keeps track of all the contracts, reports, and intelligence gathered by the Zhentarim. He greets the PCs with polite condescension. They are expendable fodder that makes money for the Zhentarim. He informs the part that they will be filing their reports and contracts here.
A vampire and follower of Shar, Varlosh works closely with Avrezt to receive reports from many of the Zhentarim corps working around Faerûn. He is disliked by many Black Cloaks as he keeps close tabs on the amount of income they are supposed to be reporting.
He has survived numerous assassination attempts, mostly because no one knows he’s a vampire. Varlosh has noticed Tomias’s relationship with Fzain and is blackmailing the archer captain. This is mostly for show. In reality, he has already reported the treachery to Avrezt, and they are feeding Tomias false information.
Varlosh’s Prisoner: The woman chained to the desk is Nualla A’Ashemmi. She is the daughter of Sememmon and Ashemmi, the Renegades of Darkhold who turned from the Black Network before the Spellplague. She has made it her life’s work to oppose the Zhentarim at every turn, but was recently caught by the Zhents and held prisoner. Varlosh believes that he has her dominated and cowed, but she fought off his control some time ago. She pretends to still be under the influence to avoid Varlosh re-dominating her.
If rescued, Nualla can be a source of vital information.
EYEBITER, BEHOLDER OF DARKHOLD
SOLO ARTILLERY 9
Eyebiter is one of a group of beholders who want the Banites back. More importantly, Eyebiter and its fellows believe that the Black Network can become a completely beholder-led organisation.
HILL GIANT MERCENARY
OGRE CAPTAIN
GEDRETH, GOBLIN SHAMAN
NERETH THE FLAMESKULL
OROKOTH THE BLACK CLOAK
Basic Stat Block Roster
Black Cloak solo artillery 6 (1,250 XP), elite artillery 11 (1,200 XP), artillery 15 (1,200 XP)
War Mage solo artillery
Mageling artillery 1 (100 XP), minion artillery 9 (100 XP)
Apprentice minion artillery 1 (25 XP)
Watchful Skull solo controller 5 (1,000 XP), elite controller 10 (1,000 XP), controller 14 (1,000 XP), minion controller 22 (1,038 XP)
Strifeleader solo controller (leader) 2 (625 XP), elite controller (leader) 7 (600 XP), controller (leader) 11 (600 XP), minion controller (leader) 19 (600 XP)
Dark Adept: elite controller 2 (250 XP), controller 6 (250 XP), minion controller 14 (250 XP)
Dark Acolyte controller 1 (100 XP), minion controller 9 (100 XP)
Jack solo soldier (leader) 2 (625 XP), elite soldier (leader) 7 (600 XP), soldier (leader) 11 (600 XP), minion soldier (leader) 19 (600 XP)
Soldier elite soldier 1 (200 XP), soldier 5 (200 XP), minion soldier 13 (200 XP)
Sellsword soldier 1 (100 XP), minion soldier 9 (100 XP)
Recruit minion soldier 1 (25 XP)
Slaver elite brute 1 (200 XP), brute 5 (200 XP), minion brute 13 (200 XP)
Assassin elite lurker 2 (250 XP), lurker 6 (250 XP)
Apprentice lurker 1 (100 XP), minion lurker 9 (100 XP)
First Rank: The Tolak
LADY AVREZT, CASTELLAN OF DARKHOLD AND TOLAK OF THE ZHENTARIM
FEMALE HUMAN WIZARD (POLYMORPHED BEHOLDER MAGE)
Avrezt is one of the Tolak that lead the Zhentarim. She commands the three elite corps quartered at Darkhold and oversees the training of much of the Zhentarim. Since Manshoon rarely leaves Stormwatch, Avrezt has near complete autonomy. Avrezt commands the three elite corps quartered at Darkhold and oversees the training. Since Manshoon rarely leaves Stormwatch, Avrezt has near complete autonomy. She is a dark, brooding beauty and carries an undeniable aura of command. She looks you over with an imperious eye.
In reality, “she” is an “it”. Avrezt is actually the beholder mage, Ixathinon, polymorphed into human form. Since rising to the rank of Tolak, Ixathinon has been working to make the Zhentarim an instrument of beholders.
Key Traits: Domineering. Haughty. Imperious. Xenophobic.
Goal:
Motivation:
Fears: It doesn’t remember any.
Weaknesses: Ixathinon is extremely xenophobic and openly contemptuous of humans and other “lesser races”. She is also a glutton with a penchant for eating gnomes and finds fresh gnome next to impossible to resist.
Second Rank: Senior Black Cloak
TAALOR DARKHOPE, SENIOR BLACK CLOAK OF DARKHOLD
MALE HUMAN SUMMONER WIZARD
Taalor Darkhope is an incredibly intelligent man with eclectic tastes in literature and is widely read. Taalor is often called "The Binder"
because of his expertise in summoning creatures and binding them to his will. He has created helmed horrors and homunculi.
Taalor is particularly concerned about the recently arrived cleric of Bane and her designs upon him.
NOMBRAIL CALIST, WATCHFUL SKULL OF CYRIC
MALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
Nombrail Calist is the high cleric of Cyric at Darkhold and spreads the word of the Black Sun through the Zhentarim. A treacherous weasel of a man who delights in abusing his underlings, he despises Fzain and longs for the day that Avrezt gives him leave to crush the hated Banite. Until then, he taunts and provokes her at every opportunity. Nombrail’s long-term goal is to free Cyric from his imprisonment, and he urges Avrezt to pursue this goal at every opportunity.
Honorary Second Rank: Ambassadors
FZAIN NERIST, BANITE EMISSARY FROM MULMASTER
FEMALE HUMAN CLERIC OF BANE
Fzain Nerist is the representative of the High Imperceptor in Mulmaster to the Zhentarim. A stunningly beautiful woman with honeyed locks and
dressed in the red and black vestments of Bane approaches you.
Born in a family of dedicated Banites, Fzain was named in honour of Bane’s exarch, Fzoul. Manshoon will not permit her into Stormwatch so she stays at Darkhold. She is a strong-willed woman and a brilliant speaker who is able to sway crowds. This, combined with her good looks, has made her popular among the sellswords at Darkhold and brought some into the service of the Black Hand. She is convinced that Bane is the future of the Realms and will triumph over all other gods. She has occasional liaisons with Tomias, but she has her eye on Taalor.
APOSTROPHE DOUBLE APOSTROPHE, DROW EMISSARY FROM SSHAMATH
FEMALE DROW CLERIC OF SHAR OR MALE DROW SHADOW ADEPT
Third Rank: The Captains
GRON, CAPTAIN OF THE STORM WATCH
MALE DRAGONBORN PALADIN OF CYRIC
Gron left his homeland of Tymanther for reasons that have never been specified. Because of Gron’s horrible temper, it is commonly believed that he murdered someone important during one of his rages and had to flee the country. Gron is a devout follower of Cyric and revels in the strife of physical combat. He has little respect for Tomias and believes him to be a two-faced cad. If he finds out that Tomias is passing information to Fzain, Gron will kill him.
HULT IRONTOE, MASTER OF RECRUITS
MALE DWARF BRAWLER FIGHTER
Hult Irontoe is a dangerous and aggressive dwarf, a bully. The position suits Hult fine as he likes hurting people and his rank gives him plenty of opportunity to do so. Hult Irontoe hired on as a mercenary to the Zhentarim about twenty years ago. Always a dangerous and aggressive dwarf, Hult bullied the other Zhents. After Hult killed the former Master of Recruits in bare-fisted brawl and then intimidated a room full of observers into silence, Avrezt made him the new master. The position suits Hult fine as he likes hurting people and his rank gives him plenty of opportunity to do so.
TOMIAS PALESUN, CAPTAIN OF THE GREY FEATHERS
MALE HALF-ELF RANGER
Tomias Palesun is a seemingly easygoing man with a quick wit and many jokes, but he has the cold eyes of a killer. Tomias is a firm supporter of Bane, and is having a liaison with the cleric of Bane. During their trysts, he feeds information to Fzain about Zhentarim activities.
JESYM DREIN, CAPTAIN OF THE OUTRIDERS
FEMALE HALFLING RANGER/ROGUE
Jesym Drein, a halfling, intends to build up her cult of personality among the Zhents of Darkhold until she has enough support to split from the Zhentarim and form her own mercenary band.
Jesym Drein is very friendly with the PCs as she sees them as potential recruits to her future plots. She recently rose to command after she managed the “accidental” death of Hallook Breidorlzan, the former captain. Once she has the Outriders consolidated under her control, she intends to build up her cult of personality among the Zhents of Darkhold until she has enough support to split from the Zhentarim and form her own mercenary band.
NYTH “GREYCLOAK” ARILANTHER, BLACK CLOAK
MALE HUMAN WIZARD
Signature Spells: sleep, glitterdust, fly, Evard’s black tentacles, missile mastery (swats away arrows)
PROBOLAR, BLACK CLOAK
MALE HUMAN WIZARD
Linked to the Cult of the Dragon. Signature Spells/Items: flaming staff (dragon head), fireball.
CYRICSON MOLTAR, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
Dashingly handsome, engaging smile, perfect white teeth, cruel, pragmatist: this is Cyricson. His robes are of purple velvet from the hide of a displacer beast and his unholy symbol is solid platinum. Signature spell: blade barrier. His bodyguard, Briemulk, would sacrifice himself for Cyricson.
MELITHUA, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
FEMALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
SMOLITUNG, STRIFELEADER OF CYRIC
MALE HUMAN CLERIC OF CYRIC
Smolitung lacks subtlety. He is just a thug. He prefers to fight with a morningstar. He is muscular and has a large scar on the left side of his face from the claw of a dragon. He hates dragons and dragonborn.
Fourth Rank: The Jacks
Dardres Halamer, Strifeleader of Cyric
Laerdan Istus, Strifeleader of Cyric
Thorak Srasam, Zhent War Mage (prefers fire spells)
LERILENANIEL, BEAST TAMER OF DARKHOLD
FEMALE ELF RANGER
Lerilenaniel is quiet and doesn't like people very much. She bears scars from torture at the hands of inquisitors under the command of the High Observer.
Lerilenaniel has a deep and lasting hatred of the High Observer of Torm who rules Elturgard over his barricading of the Reaching Woods. She uses monsters to kill or harass the paladins of Elturgard, even though Avrezt has ordered her not to provoke the city.
Lerilenaniel is cool and distant to the PCs, especially any elves or eladrin. If any of the PCs are drow, she spits on the ground. Lerilenaniel mostly wanders the wilds of Western Heartlands, hunting for monsters, trapping them, and then moving them to places where needed by the Zhentarim. She is quiet and doesn't like people very much. Lerilenaniel has a deep and lasting hatred of the High Observer of Torm who rules Elturgard over his barricading of the Reaching Woods. She uses monsters to kill or harass the paladins of Elturgard, even though Avrezt has ordered her not to provoke the city. The hippogriff that Lerilenaniel is petting is named Bitey.
RIKLA ULGRYM, QUARTERMASTER OF DARKHOLD
FEMALE HALF-ORC THIEF
Rikla Ulgrym is harried by the constant requests for supplies. Rikla is particularly angry at Jesym as the old captain of the Outriders was her embezzlement partner. Hult Irontoe has taken an instant dislike to Rikla and considers her weak and therefore a target. Rikla has to actively avoid the dwarf or suffer his beatings.
Others
Orto, Peltham; Zhent Soldiers
Thusk Tharmuil of Glister, Zhent War Mage (cold spells)
Menzel, apprentice to Thusk
Malunko, half-orc fighter; Grognar, Argrath- human fighters
Zzygarn, black dragon
VARLOSH, ARCHIVIST OF DARKHOLD
Varlosh is a vampire and follower of Shar. He is disliked by many Black Cloaks as he keeps close tabs on the amount of income they are supposed to be reporting.
Varlosh keeps track of all the contracts, reports, and intelligence gathered by the Zhentarim. He greets the PCs with polite condescension. They are expendable fodder that makes money for the Zhentarim. He informs the part that they will be filing their reports and contracts here.
A vampire and follower of Shar, Varlosh works closely with Avrezt to receive reports from many of the Zhentarim corps working around Faerûn. He is disliked by many Black Cloaks as he keeps close tabs on the amount of income they are supposed to be reporting.
He has survived numerous assassination attempts, mostly because no one knows he’s a vampire. Varlosh has noticed Tomias’s relationship with Fzain and is blackmailing the archer captain. This is mostly for show. In reality, he has already reported the treachery to Avrezt, and they are feeding Tomias false information.
Varlosh’s Prisoner: The woman chained to the desk is Nualla A’Ashemmi. She is the daughter of Sememmon and Ashemmi, the Renegades of Darkhold who turned from the Black Network before the Spellplague. She has made it her life’s work to oppose the Zhentarim at every turn, but was recently caught by the Zhents and held prisoner. Varlosh believes that he has her dominated and cowed, but she fought off his control some time ago. She pretends to still be under the influence to avoid Varlosh re-dominating her.
If rescued, Nualla can be a source of vital information.
EYEBITER, BEHOLDER OF DARKHOLD
SOLO ARTILLERY 9
Eyebiter is one of a group of beholders who want the Banites back. More importantly, Eyebiter and its fellows believe that the Black Network can become a completely beholder-led organisation.
HILL GIANT MERCENARY
OGRE CAPTAIN
GEDRETH, GOBLIN SHAMAN
NERETH THE FLAMESKULL
OROKOTH THE BLACK CLOAK
Basic Stat Block Roster
Black Cloak solo artillery 6 (1,250 XP), elite artillery 11 (1,200 XP), artillery 15 (1,200 XP)
War Mage solo artillery
Mageling artillery 1 (100 XP), minion artillery 9 (100 XP)
Apprentice minion artillery 1 (25 XP)
Watchful Skull solo controller 5 (1,000 XP), elite controller 10 (1,000 XP), controller 14 (1,000 XP), minion controller 22 (1,038 XP)
Strifeleader solo controller (leader) 2 (625 XP), elite controller (leader) 7 (600 XP), controller (leader) 11 (600 XP), minion controller (leader) 19 (600 XP)
Dark Adept: elite controller 2 (250 XP), controller 6 (250 XP), minion controller 14 (250 XP)
Dark Acolyte controller 1 (100 XP), minion controller 9 (100 XP)
Jack solo soldier (leader) 2 (625 XP), elite soldier (leader) 7 (600 XP), soldier (leader) 11 (600 XP), minion soldier (leader) 19 (600 XP)
Soldier elite soldier 1 (200 XP), soldier 5 (200 XP), minion soldier 13 (200 XP)
Sellsword soldier 1 (100 XP), minion soldier 9 (100 XP)
Recruit minion soldier 1 (25 XP)
Slaver elite brute 1 (200 XP), brute 5 (200 XP), minion brute 13 (200 XP)
Assassin elite lurker 2 (250 XP), lurker 6 (250 XP)
Apprentice lurker 1 (100 XP), minion lurker 9 (100 XP)
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