Zhentarim The Zhentarim were a mercenary company who , over their 200 years of existence , experienced several leaps and bounds in terms of successes , but also several major defeats . As of 1479 DR they were a shadow of their former glory , but still an organization of great power and influence . Hierarchy . Post Bane Re - emergence . The Zhentarim followed a strict linear hierarchy with Fzoul Chembryl at the head of the organization . He had several subordinates that reported directly to him . Each of those " Lords " had many underlings that handled reports and requests . The Zhentarim did not typically skip ranks in the hierarchy . The only exception to this rule was Manshoon who had permission to use any of the resources of the Zhents as he saw fit . Here is a short list of major figures at this time . History . Founded in 1261 DR in Zhentil Keep by Manshoon , the Zhentarim were originally created for Manshoon ' s ambitions for expansion . Fzoul Chembryl joined in 1263 DR and was able to dispose of the high ranking priests and convert low ranking priests to the cause of Bane . In the organization ' s first thirty years , they were able to assemble mages dubbed the Black Cloaks . Manshoon would offset the possible threat of Fzoul by concocting a plan with the beholder Xantriph . The two would have the Banite priests swear fealty to Manshoon and confess to their sins . Xantriph ' s lair , found in what used to be Teshendale , became a base for Zhentilar patrols . It was around this time that the Zhentarim would finally begin to live up to their original purpose . Manshoon ' s first order of business would be capturing the Citadel of the Raven , which lost him the chance to get the city of Phlan . The citadel would end up garnering much wealth for Manshoon and bring him to economic superiority . Manshoon would follow this up by having the Zhentarim contribute to the army that attacked Mulmaster . In order to enter the Western Heartlands , Manshoon would seize the fortress of Darkhold from a lich queen . Their successes with the Citadel of the Raven and Darkhold would be followed up by attacks on Teshendale and Hillsfar , giving them the entire Tesh Valley and Voonlar . They would then place their own rulers in Daggerdale and Shadowdale , allowing Manshoon to consolidate his rule all over Zhent lands in 1337 DR by declaring himself the High Lord of Zhentil Keep . Their actions caused their neighbors to grow wary of them . In the months following , Jyordhan , puppet ruler of Shadowdale would be assassinated by Khelben Arunsun , Xantriph killed by the Knights of Myth Drannor and Malyk , puppet ruler of Daggerdale was overthrown by Randal Morn . Manshoon would end up betraying his allies in the Citadel of the Raven and take it over by sheer force and place Kandar Milinal charge . This would eventually lead to the Zhent city of Yûlash erupting in civil war . Despite their setbacks , the Zhentarim were able to set up a secret base in Scardale due to the embattled Cormyrian and Sembian nations . However , it was in vain as all influence in Shadowdale would be expunged by the Knights of Myth Drannor . The Zhentarim would go through even further troubles until the coincidental Time of Troubles would have it that the avatar of Bane would order Manshoon ' s apprentice Sememmon to attack Shadowdale . The attack would fail and Bane would be killed , throwing religious aspects into chaos . Cyric would then make his influence in the Zhentarim felt by converting many Banites . Cyric would control the center of the Zhentarim power , but Manshoon would relocate the Banites to the Citadel of the Raven and Darkhold . Cyric was eventually undermined by a divine conspiracy involving Fzoul . The larger , northern half of Zhentil Keep was left in ruins as a result . 1500 Zhentilar and Zhentarim , many of whom were high - ranking officers fled the city , as well as all of the orc troops . Fzoul and Lord Orgauth would then defeat Manshoon and Sememmon , killing Manshoon in 1370 DR . Manshoon would live on through clone bodies . Of these , one would return to the Zhentarim , conceding all leadership to Fzoul and only working as an agent . When Bane was resurrected in 1372 DR , Fzoul would become an expansionist , but would be threatened by the reemergance of Myth Drannor . His paranoia would lead him to attack Myth Drannor and Shadowdale , which he temporarily controlled . A Zhent named Karne would then attempt to take over the Onyx Tower , but the plan would ultimately fail . Fzoul would then engage in a hopeless alliance with the Phaerimm , which would enrage the Shadovar . The Netherese would destroy Zhentil Keep and the Citadel of the Raven , killing both Fzoul and the Manshoon clone , leaving only Darkhold left . The Zhentarim would then again be taken over by the forces of Cyric who would engage in battle with the forces of Bane . In 1420 DR , an evil mage named Rezlus would take over the Banites and attempt to conquer Daggerdale . He would fail and the Banites would fall , leaving only the forces of Cyric . By 1434 DR , the final Manshoon clone would raise an army of undead and take refugee in the citadel of Stormwatch , from there he would retake the Zhentarim , with Darkhold and Stormwatch as their only bases . The Zhentarim would be reduced to nothing more than mercenaries hoping to re - achieve their former glory by taking any contract as long as it had good pay . During the Cult of the Dragon plot , The Tyranny of Dragon , the Zhentarim was one of the many factions who rose up to oppose Tiamat ' s attempt at freedom . Links . Russian - speaking fansite devoted to the Zhentarim -