Neo-Zhentarim

This was a group made by David Jaramillo to explore the further fate of the Zhentarim after the slaughter caused by the Citadel of the Raven. Having that much change created many new ideas and ways to link campaigns into the necessary changes in Faerun setting up the Spell Plague.

Facts

 * Headquarters: Unknown- Many people believe that the group has centered in the western areas between Sembia and Cormyr and to the north around the Dalelands.  Traces have been found in old areas where the Zhentarim was most prominent, but no lair or primary location has been spotted.  It mainly seems as if most of the organization is mobile.
 * Members: Most members of the Neo Zhentarim mainly range from the premise of the organization under Manshoon to the more religious fanatics under Fzoul.  despite his death, many of the members still believe in Bane. Many new members also seek to find a new representation for the qualities brought by the Bane centric organization.  the organization searches for followers of Tiamat for a mildly similar dogma.
 * Hierarchy: Militaristic
 * Leader: Leon Pleonmake, High Council: unnamed council of Tiamat
 * Alignment: Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral
 * Secrecy: Public and Expansionist

The Zhentarim's Fate

 * See The Chronicles of Amn.
 * See Zhentarim

Unlike the forces of Cyric, the Zhentarim was not completely destroyed. There were many remnants of its remains after the Battle of the Citadel of the Raven. Some cells left became independent of the Zhentarim (Black Vice- Swordpoints of the Sea Hook), but most members either joined different organizations or accepted their defeat as the Zhentarim met its formal end.

The survivors of the organization could be separated into three major groups. The Banite fanatics, the thieves and thugs, and the rulers and tyrants that received power from the Zhentarim.

The fanatical Banites waiting for an appropriate time to use Fzoul's artifact to attempt to resurrect Bane with the help of Fzoul's cousin Ladira Chembryl.
 * See The Path of the Tome

Many of the thieves and thugs left from the Zhentarim joined different organizations. Many organizations disappeared around the time the Zhentarim was destroyed, specific new organizations like the Devil's Laugh and others were formed and strengthened by the corpses of the old organizations.

The people that are the most likely to and the people that moved to rebuilt the Zhentarim were people who controlled the organization. People like politicians and diplomats that had the most to lose when the organization disbanded. Most of these people were clerics who were more loyal to their power than Bane and people who changed sides after Fzoul murdered Manshoon.

Birth of the Neo-Zhentarim
The clerics responsible for the birth of the Neo-Zhentarim worked with each other and many others in remaining cells who wished to revive the power and influence of the old organization. The new organization would need several things to obtain legitimacy once more. Among the first things necessary was a focus and a face.

The clerics believed that the religious approach was the most successful for bringing truly ideal members and worshipers that would risk their lives for a belief. To make an organization that still refers to itself as the Zhentarim, these clerics believed that the only way to live their lives would be to worship someone of a mildly similar dogma with a similar portfolio to Bane. Many of these clerics chose Tiamat and worked to make a smooth transition.

The face of the organization arrived when called to a meeting to the Zhentarim. A Banite Zealot, by the name of Leon Pleonemake returned from an old mission to kill an enemy of the Zhentarim that died twenty years ago. His reputation meant little, but his devotion was fanatical, and unlike the people who attempted to resurrect Bane, he devoted himself to the Zhentarim.

Rumors of a Rival Sect
The Original leader of the Zhentarim, Manshoon, has gathered a large group of people in the Church of Loviatar to infiltrate the Monks of the Dark Moon for their almost public meeting in Saerloon. Manshoon spread false rumors of the Church of Loviatar’s merge with the Zhentarim. His rumors were able to make people believe that this group was actually another sect of the Neo-Zhentarim called the New Zhentarim that wished to overthrow the Neo-Zhentarim.


 * Manshoon's plan and the outcome, see Vindication of the Merchant Nation

Motivation and Goals
The Neo-Zhentarim’s first goal is revenge. More than anything else, most of the members wish to make sure that this group does not have the same fate as the original Zhentarim. The Neo-Zhentarim wishes to destroy Cormyr and Thunderstone. If they cannot kill Nassim, they want to destroy his home and any monument to his actions.

The Neo-Zhentarim hates the Triad just as much and often acts to destroy any monument to the Triad that they can. It was the power of the Triad that enveloped Nassim that granted him the power to slay Bane and Cyric and that lead his forces to victory.

The Neo-Zhentarim also wishes to gain control over all the land and towns that the Zhentarim originally controlled. This also includes the disestablishment of many of the new organizations that formed as a result of their destruction to help assert the rise of their domination.

Recruiting
The Neo-Zhentaim is newer group that is seeking to gain members wherever it can. Its base is wide, and the it aims to attract people with a contradictory message of order and control. The Neo-Zhentarim knows that it can bring security to people at the price of rule, and it uses the persuasive appeal of power and the reputation of the Zhentarim to recruit hundreds, later even thousands of people to work for their new goals.

The Neo-Zhentarim mainly takes warriors or known diplomats. People with all ranges of skills are used and the Neo-Zhentarim is a well oiled machine that works each person at their most effective job to create a forward moving society that is truly efficient. This sense of ingenuity creates a dangerous army that truly believes that it is the high society.

Clerics and poorer people are generally taken for ideas and ability. Recruiting often paints the Neo-Zhentarim as a new possibility for life and a way to expand life to those who lack mobility. Adventurers who do not know the difference between good and evil relate to the cold logic and personal gain that is offered through their system.

Allies
The Neo-Zhentarim has no allies. People that have watched this organization grow either are enemies, or have decided not to take a side out of fear or patience. This group is growing very fast and it is expansionist and mobile. Its fist goal is to attack a full military and most people believe that the group will die abruptly at the hands of Purple Dragons as it died originally at the hands of the Legion of Light. Would be allies are afraid that the group’s goals step far beyond the reach of this organization.

Enemies
The Church of Loviatar and the Church of Tiamat feel threatened by the presence of the Neo-Zhentarim. It exists to weaken their organization and replace the dogma of their religion with an altered militaristic version that aids the growth and success of the Neo-Zhentarim as much as it represents the actual religion. The groups fear that the group’s original success may bring an appeal that neither group originally could obtain.

Manshoon leads a great deal of people from the Church of Loviatar to control the organization. He wishes to control the organization was he once controlled the Zhentarim. He believed in the clerics ideas for a multi religious organization, but to have greater emphasis on dogmas and specifically have a failed religion in the mix to create a mixed morale among the members.

Rebirth of the Zhentarim
The Neo-Zhentarim's birth was an attempt from many religious groups and theives guilds to attempt to bring the name Zhentarim into their control. If a group could get control of the name and the deals that the original Zhentarim had, it would increase their influence and power. Several clergy people from organizations all vied for power in the Neo-Zhentarim. There was always infighting in the organization, and the success of the which religion would be based on the ability to convince the old Banites to join a particular side.

Several people that believed in the second coming of Cyric joined the group and joined the battle for control of the organization. They claimed to fight for the true prophet of Cyric. This turned into a three way battle for control in the organization. The Cyricites were fanatical, but did not see the organization as a religious organization, but an organization of mercenaries and thieves. The clergy of Tiamat still had the advantage with the support of the Banites for the moment.

After Bane Returns
Soon after Bane returned, this was started a chain reaction within the Neo-Zhentarim. The Banites left to support their true leader, the returned Fzoul Chembryl. The clergy for the Church of Tiamat were vulnerable. Manshoon saw his opportunity, but he was struck down by Orbakh before he would seize his opportunity. Orbakh's survival caught the other Manshoon guard off guard. He believed that he was killed in Westgate. Orbakh took the opportunity and appealed to the Cyrites and was able to kill the high clergy for both the Loviatar and Tiamat worshipers. What was left was a Zhentarim run by Orbakh and populated by Cyricites.

Orbakh would change the organization from militant religious soldiers to mercenaries and thieves as it originally was. He would refer to the organization simply as the Zhentarim and refer to himself as Manshoon knowing that he was the last clone, and the only Manshoon left. Manshoon ended the crusade against Cormyr and against the memory of the Legion of Light. It was actually they that helped create a condition to allow him to take control of the organization again.

Look at the 4E Campaign settings to read about the Zhentarim.

More details will be filled when it is decided how Bane will come back to life, and how Children of Woe are resolved. (TBD)