I’m kinda hoping that at least one if not all of the DM’s have some tabs on this Zhentarim stuff going on. The Zhent organization is one of the largest guilds in all Faerûn and would be considered something in par with today’s mafia organization. People walking around saying they are Zhents who have not been initiated into this organization would be killed without even a second thought (Kind of like telling people you a mafia when you are NOT). And those that are really Zhent DO NOT advertise that they are! It would be like, “Hello, I’m Al Capone, and I’m with the mafia.” Nope! Not gonna happen!

Inductees are known as ‘Black Cloaks’ and must be sent to Manshoon and inducted through him. In other words if you are saying you are a Zhent you have to have come from the surface and been inducted there. A real Zhent, from the surface, trying to recruit you here in Sanctuary might consider you a Black Cloak, but you are never a Zhentarim until properly inducted!

Just my opinion but perhaps being a Zhentarim should be an app process. (But then again, what do I know.)

I disagree with the point of this post. This isn't the surface and if there aren't true members of the Zhents down here then who would go around "enforcing" it. Also, making it app only would be a ridiculously restriction of creativity that I find appealling. If there were "real" Zhents about I would say that it is still the Underdark. Just like everything else, I am sure they have changed some of their methods considering they would not force somebody be a Black Cloak forever because of silly circumstances. Also, most people don't go around calling themselves mafia b/c they are known as such anyway. Here in the Underdark, you have to make yourself known to attract attention, both good and bad.

If there were a Zhent here you wouldn't know it and he would be the one that kills you.

Prerequisites for Zhentarim 1) Must be some type of Evil, nothing else, no exceptions! 2) Must be initiated (tortured/brainwashed) by a Zhentarim priest of Bane for weeks or months until that priest believes you are ready. 3) Must be sent to the Zhentarim Keep to be inducted (logged as a member) by manshoon.

Anybody that has not done these three things can be nothing more than what is known as a Black Cloak. This is pretty much what is called 'canon'. So if you are not already a Zhentarim the only way you could become one is to escape from the Underdark.

If there was a Zhent. I think what should be taken from this is that at the very most I think if Dms have expressed interest that they set up a npc to induct the so called fake Zhents and make them real. Thus negating everything else so that they continue with what they are already doing. Oh, really doesn't make too much of a difference. >_>

I would think becoming a member of the largest thief’s guild in the known world should warrant and app.. You don't just "join" the Mafia or throw on some leather with a Hells Angels patch on the back.

Well, the best thing I can think of for this would be to have the DMs arrange the assassination or beating of the player who started this "Underdark Zhentarim" by an actual Zhent who was portalled in to deal with this/smuggling with the Drow/Duergar or some such thing.

As a consequence, the assassin posts notices denouncing the "impersonators" and attempts to set up a non-Zhentarim "Evil Banite Legitimate Businessmen's Social Club. "

That way, you keep canon and get a Banite Mafia that's Zhentarim in all but name.

You can claim to be whatever you want without a app, but if you want to be an actual member of the zhentarim, royalty, whatever. It requires a app.

For instance, I had a character going around called Joey Dimes, the bastard son of Johnny Dimes who was some notorious gangster from when the lower rebellion happened. Just because he said he was, didn't make it true.

I don't see why this is much of a problem anyway, if people want to go around claiming that they're Ubels, ex members of the Purple dragons, Bresleys and members of the Black Network then allow them to have their fun. Just do what everyone else does and deal with it IG then bringing it up in the forums.

Yeah, that's a far better point, Daz. Fraudulent factions FTW :)

Daemonic Daz if people want to go around claiming that they're Ubels, ex members of the Purple dragons, Bresleys and members of the Black Network then allow them to have their fun.

Give this theory a shot, give one of your PC's the last name of Bresley and lets see what happens.

Senur RIPnogard, I hear what you're saying but I think the old cat is out of the bag already....

As far as I know there isn't really a thieves guild in EFU... As far as I know at least... maybe they are just really good at it....

Just because we say we are Zhents, doesn't make it true.

Who said there were no NPC's that did not have connections to the Zhentarim?

You are assuming a lot here RIP.

My original post is not meant to nix this Zhent idea. It’s in hopes that a DM that at least has an inkling of who and what the Zhentarim is, is keeping an eye on this so-called Zhent group.

The Zhentarim isn’t an EfU organization (there are entire books on it); there are canon, prereqs, stipulations and consequences to being a Zhent. And apparently some here don't know this.

IxTheSpeedy As far as I know there isn't really a thieves guild in EFU... As far as I know at least... maybe they are just really good at it....

Website says there's the Vheaurunite THieves Guild as a DM faction.

The website's way out of date. AFAIK, this faction was DESTROYED! (or maybe not, gasp.)

EFU is not canon, so at the DM's discretion. Any organization can be changed (if they see fit) to fit in with the server.

Sanctuary is also miles beneath the surface, chances are the majority of people who live in Sanctuary don't have a clue who the Zhentarim are unless they are ether.

A:- A slave that was born on the surface B:- A scholar of sorts born in the underdark with access to vast amounts of information C:- A member of the Zhentarim that is in the underdark for whatever reason D:- An enemy of the Zhentarim that is in the underdark for what reason

With the recent appearance of the group, I would assume that they fit into group A-C. It is upto the DM's to decide wether they are real Zhent's and so to apply the according consequences, benefits etc etc.

And yeah, as far as I know. The thieves guild was destroyed long time :(

I'm not going to read this entirety of it, but It states clearly in the Application section that if you wish to play:

a. Ex-Member of a Canon Organization b. Someone who knew a famous Forgotten Realms Character

You must apply for it!

If your characters knows what the Zhentarim is In-Character and wishes to oppose them or denounce them In-Character... He may certainly do so, but speaking against other characters, here, is not extremely polite and should be left at the discretion of the DM of what they can and cannot play.

Thank you for your concern, however.

However, as Mort did not state, you can claim to be whatever you want without an App, within reason. It just won't be true, always.