The Zhentarim [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Zhentarim [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tevin Kevlak
05-07-07, 05:14 PM I had recently read something in one of my books listng off a number of dieties that are frequently worshipped by members of the Zhentarim but after now looking again I can't seem to find it. The list includedBane, Malar, and Talona I'm certain but there were others aswell. The closest thing I've found was in Mysteries of The Moonsea in the area about Zhentil Keep mentioning that worship of Waukeen and Tymora were not out-lawed but that isn't what I remember reading.

Anyone have any idea where this information might be found?
Faraer
05-07-07, 05:52 PM Zhentilar and Zhentarim primarily worship Bane, or Cyric or Iyachtu Xvim depending on the timeline; how fervently also varies with the Black Network's current relationship with the tyrannous churches. Mages will also tend to worship Mystra, and armsmen Tempus. Malar and Talona, chaotic rivals of Bane et al., won't be commonly worshipped.
Tevin Kevlak
05-07-07, 06:03 PM Zhentilar and Zhentarim primarily worship Bane, or Cyric or Iyachtu Xvim depending on the timeline; how fervently also varies with the Black Network's current relationship with the tyrannous churches. Mages will also tend to worship Mystra, and armsmen Tempus. Malar and Talona, chaotic rivals of Bane et al., won't be commonly worshipped.

Well it says in the section on Malar in faiths and pantheons: "... and he is allied with dark deities such as Bane and Loviatar." Now that I think about it, it may have been Loviatar and not Talona that was mentioned. I'm really hoping that someone will know of what book it mentions this because I'm certain I've seen it.
Faraer
05-07-07, 06:19 PM Zhentil Keep does have temples to Loviatar and Malar, and they have Zhent worshippers, but (except for your elusive quote, which I don't recall myself) I doubt it's frequently: I can't think of any specific examples, whereas there are many for Tempus and Mystra.
Tevin Kevlak
05-07-07, 06:22 PM I just read basically what I remember reading from one of my books, that he indeed is allies with Malar, Loviatar, Mask, and Talona.

"Bane is a ruthless, calculating, power-hungry deity ever obsessed with expanding his power. Since the deaths of Bhaal and Myrkul, his only true allies among the gods, he has forged alliances with the less powerful Malar, Loviatar, Mask, and Talona. Bane holds a special enmity toward Torm, Mystra, and Cyric. This last Bane sees as a loathsome usurper, and his entire following is mobilizing for a holy war against the Black Sun."

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bane_%28god%29

Since the chruch of bane is at the forefront of the Zhentarim I would assume that followers of these deities would be common amongst the Zhetarim or at least as allies. I still recall a book stating this so, if you have any clue which one it is do me a favor and post it :D .
ShadezofDis
05-08-07, 11:32 AM I could certainly imagine Zhent scouts (of the ranger persuasion) worshiping Malar.
Chosen of Bane
05-09-07, 11:12 PM *Parts of these post may not be strictly official as some of the points are subject to my interpretation gathered from reading numerous sources on the matter. About a year and a half ago I ran a game where the PC's were members of the Black Network so I did some extensive research on the topic, and this is the way I see it.

Although the Church of Bane and the Zhentarim are still two separate organizations, they are led by the same Tyrant (Fzoul Chembryl) and are being merged more than ever before.

The Church of Bane has become the official religion of the Zhentarim. Although western Zhents still worship Cyric, since Fzoul has become the Chosen of Bane it has become punishable by death to worship Cyric. That has caused the rift in the organization driving Darkhold away from Zhentil Keep/Citadel of the Raven. The old Zhentarim, when Manshoon was in control was not nearly as religiously based, and many of the arcanists tire of the fundamental route the organization seems to be taking.

Loviator and Malar are Bane's allies and I would say they are the most appropriate deities for non-Banite Zhents to worship, as well as Gruumsh due to the large Orc population in the Zhentilar. However, when it comes to clerics or divine casters in the organization, I don't think any but Banites are really in a position of power.

If you do want to stick a cleric of another deity into the ranks, I would use Loviator or some other Lawful Evil deity due to Bane's strict lawful views. If they let and "outsider" in, they better be sure he can be trusted.
Stigger
05-10-07, 07:15 AM Don't recall ever seeing that bit, but the only 3.x places I can think it would be in would be Lords of Darkness, Champions of Ruin, Faiths and Pantheons, or maybe Mysteries of the Moonsea... maybe even in the FRCS under Bane's brief entry, the Moonsea region, or possibly the entry on the Zhentarim. Good luck with it though. :)
Chosen of Bane
05-10-07, 07:43 AM Various novels have also been sources that I used. But like I said, that was my interpretation of how it now stands, not a quote from an official source.
Stigger
05-10-07, 08:52 AM Just in case there's some confusion, that last post of mine was directed at the OP.
MarkusTay63
05-10-07, 03:01 PM This, from the FR FAQ hosted at CK -

4.3.1. Whats the difference between saying "Zhents" or Zhentarim?

Sean Reynolds explains: Compare and contrast.... "The Zhentarim came into Llork on that summer day and before we could do anything the Zhents had taken the sheriff prisoner." "The Zhentarims came into Llork on that summer day and before we could do anything the Zhents had taken the sheriff prisoner." "Zhent" is not a singular or plural form of "Zhentarim." The former refers to people associated specifically with Zhentil Keep, the latter with members of the Black Network. Zhentarim is a term for an organization, like "the Mafia." It does not have a plural because there is only one group called the Zhentarim. You wouldn't say "two mafias walked into my restaurant." You'd say "two guys from the Mafia walked into my restaurant."

This would mean that although Fzoul makes the Zhentarim follow Bane, the common people of the city itself, the Zhents, do not neccessarily have to. I would say, however, that it is a safe bet that worshipping any other god could prove hazardous to your health. ;)
Chosen of Bane
05-10-07, 04:05 PM Just in case there's some confusion, that last post of mine was directed at the OP.

Ah, good to know, I read your post and said "huh, was I that off base?" That clears it up a bit.
Lord_Steve
05-10-07, 05:59 PM I would say, however, that it is a safe bet that worshipping any other god could prove hazardous to your health. ;)

Amen to that!:D :D
XHereticX
05-10-07, 06:15 PM There is a faction of Zhents(at least I think they are zhents) called the Black Star that are warlocks and worship Glasya, lord of the sixth.
Chosen of Bane
05-10-07, 08:52 PM They are Zhents in the fact that they reside in Zhentil Keep. They are not affiliated with (and are actually opposed to) the Zhentarim.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tevin Kevlak 05-07-07, 05:14 PM	I had recently read something in one of my books listng off a number of dieties that are frequently worshipped by members of the Zhentarim but after now looking again I can't seem to find it. The list includedBane, Malar, and Talona I'm certain but there were others aswell. The closest thing I've found was in Mysteries of The Moonsea in the area about Zhentil Keep mentioning that worship of Waukeen and Tymora were not out-lawed but that isn't what I remember reading. Anyone have any idea where this information might be found?
Faraer 05-07-07, 05:52 PM	Zhentilar and Zhentarim primarily worship Bane, or Cyric or Iyachtu Xvim depending on the timeline; how fervently also varies with the Black Network's current relationship with the tyrannous churches. Mages will also tend to worship Mystra, and armsmen Tempus. Malar and Talona, chaotic rivals of Bane et al., won't be commonly worshipped.
Tevin Kevlak 05-07-07, 06:03 PM	Zhentilar and Zhentarim primarily worship Bane, or Cyric or Iyachtu Xvim depending on the timeline; how fervently also varies with the Black Network's current relationship with the tyrannous churches. Mages will also tend to worship Mystra, and armsmen Tempus. Malar and Talona, chaotic rivals of Bane et al., won't be commonly worshipped. Well it says in the section on Malar in faiths and pantheons: "... and he is allied with dark deities such as Bane and Loviatar." Now that I think about it, it may have been Loviatar and not Talona that was mentioned. I'm really hoping that someone will know of what book it mentions this because I'm certain I've seen it.
Faraer 05-07-07, 06:19 PM	Zhentil Keep does have temples to Loviatar and Malar, and they have Zhent worshippers, but (except for your elusive quote, which I don't recall myself) I doubt it's frequently: I can't think of any specific examples, whereas there are many for Tempus and Mystra.
Tevin Kevlak 05-07-07, 06:22 PM	I just read basically what I remember reading from one of my books, that he indeed is allies with Malar, Loviatar, Mask, and Talona. "Bane is a ruthless, calculating, power-hungry deity ever obsessed with expanding his power. Since the deaths of Bhaal and Myrkul, his only true allies among the gods, he has forged alliances with the less powerful Malar, Loviatar, Mask, and Talona. Bane holds a special enmity toward Torm, Mystra, and Cyric. This last Bane sees as a loathsome usurper, and his entire following is mobilizing for a holy war against the Black Sun." Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bane_%28god%29 Since the chruch of bane is at the forefront of the Zhentarim I would assume that followers of these deities would be common amongst the Zhetarim or at least as allies. I still recall a book stating this so, if you have any clue which one it is do me a favor and post it :D .
ShadezofDis 05-08-07, 11:32 AM	I could certainly imagine Zhent scouts (of the ranger persuasion) worshiping Malar.
Chosen of Bane 05-09-07, 11:12 PM	*Parts of these post may not be strictly official as some of the points are subject to my interpretation gathered from reading numerous sources on the matter. About a year and a half ago I ran a game where the PC's were members of the Black Network so I did some extensive research on the topic, and this is the way I see it. Although the Church of Bane and the Zhentarim are still two separate organizations, they are led by the same Tyrant (Fzoul Chembryl) and are being merged more than ever before. The Church of Bane has become the official religion of the Zhentarim. Although western Zhents still worship Cyric, since Fzoul has become the Chosen of Bane it has become punishable by death to worship Cyric. That has caused the rift in the organization driving Darkhold away from Zhentil Keep/Citadel of the Raven. The old Zhentarim, when Manshoon was in control was not nearly as religiously based, and many of the arcanists tire of the fundamental route the organization seems to be taking. Loviator and Malar are Bane's allies and I would say they are the most appropriate deities for non-Banite Zhents to worship, as well as Gruumsh due to the large Orc population in the Zhentilar. However, when it comes to clerics or divine casters in the organization, I don't think any but Banites are really in a position of power. If you do want to stick a cleric of another deity into the ranks, I would use Loviator or some other Lawful Evil deity due to Bane's strict lawful views. If they let and "outsider" in, they better be sure he can be trusted.
Stigger 05-10-07, 07:15 AM	Don't recall ever seeing that bit, but the only 3.x places I can think it would be in would be Lords of Darkness, Champions of Ruin, Faiths and Pantheons, or maybe Mysteries of the Moonsea... maybe even in the FRCS under Bane's brief entry, the Moonsea region, or possibly the entry on the Zhentarim. Good luck with it though. :)
Chosen of Bane 05-10-07, 07:43 AM	Various novels have also been sources that I used. But like I said, that was my interpretation of how it now stands, not a quote from an official source.
Stigger 05-10-07, 08:52 AM	Just in case there's some confusion, that last post of mine was directed at the OP.
MarkusTay63 05-10-07, 03:01 PM	This, from the FR FAQ hosted at CK - 4.3.1. Whats the difference between saying "Zhents" or Zhentarim? Sean Reynolds explains: Compare and contrast.... "The Zhentarim came into Llork on that summer day and before we could do anything the Zhents had taken the sheriff prisoner." "The Zhentarims came into Llork on that summer day and before we could do anything the Zhents had taken the sheriff prisoner." "Zhent" is not a singular or plural form of "Zhentarim." The former refers to people associated specifically with Zhentil Keep, the latter with members of the Black Network. Zhentarim is a term for an organization, like "the Mafia." It does not have a plural because there is only one group called the Zhentarim. You wouldn't say "two mafias walked into my restaurant." You'd say "two guys from the Mafia walked into my restaurant." This would mean that although Fzoul makes the Zhentarim follow Bane, the common people of the city itself, the Zhents, do not neccessarily have to. I would say, however, that it is a safe bet that worshipping any other god could prove hazardous to your health. ;)
Chosen of Bane 05-10-07, 04:05 PM	Just in case there's some confusion, that last post of mine was directed at the OP. Ah, good to know, I read your post and said "huh, was I that off base?" That clears it up a bit.
Lord_Steve 05-10-07, 05:59 PM	I would say, however, that it is a safe bet that worshipping any other god could prove hazardous to your health. ;) Amen to that!:D :D
XHereticX 05-10-07, 06:15 PM	There is a faction of Zhents(at least I think they are zhents) called the Black Star that are warlocks and worship Glasya, lord of the sixth.
Chosen of Bane 05-10-07, 08:52 PM	They are Zhents in the fact that they reside in Zhentil Keep. They are not affiliated with (and are actually opposed to) the Zhentarim.