Post by DM Leverage on Mar 8, 2013 22:44:58 GMT -5
Darkhold
- Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast -
Since 1312 DR, Darkhold's black walls and towering spires have been the Zhents' western base of operations. The infighting caused by Bane's death and subsequent resurrection has weakened Darkhold's influence on the surrounding area but hasn't loosened Zhent control of Darkhold itself.
The fort itself is a high-spired keep rising from a bare rocky spur on the side of the mountain named the Gray Watcher. The black stone used to build Darkhold came from a place far from the Western Heartlands. Darkhold's massive doorways, corridors, and ceilings were constructed for giants. Legends variously ascribe the keep's construction to the days when giants ruled all of Faerun or to elder elementals serving as slaves for the kingdom of Netheril.
Until Bane's resurrection, the wizard Sememmon was Darkhold's undisputed master. For an evil genius, Sememmon is a patient, observant, and wise man. He came into conflict with Fzoul Chembryl early in both their careers and has never sought or wished to fully repair the rift. When Bane died in 1358 DR, Sememmon held his own against Fzoul's Xvim-sponsored machinations by managing his underlings wisely, consolidating his power in Darkhold, and avoiding conflict with Fzoul. When Bane returned and Fzoul established sole control of the eastern Zhents, Sememmon assessed his situation, chose the wisest course of action, and disappeared.
Some of Fzoul's supporters have quietly claimed that Fzoul eliminated Sememmon himself, but high-ranking Zhents are not sure. Ashemmi, Sememmon's long-time consort and lover, disappeared at the same time as Sememmon. They withdrew to fight battles they could win, rather than keep a stronghold unlikely to survive against its original headquarters to the east.
At present, the citadel houses a permanent Zhent fighting force of eight hundred warriors, slightly reduced from the days when Sememmon held the Far Hills in perfect servitude. Fzoul seems content to let the various Zhent commanders in Darkhold spar for position, including the Pereghost. All have sworn personal oaths of loyalty to the Zhentarim cause, although the strong Cyricist influence here galls Fzoul, who wants to see all of the Zhentarim under Bane's dominion. The intrigues and assassination attempts presently dominating Darkhold's internal politics are not openly tolerated in the eastern Zhent holdings, but for the moment Darkhold's feuds are being used to cull the weak. If a strong leader does not emerge soon, Fzoul will appoint his own commander, someone strong enough to deal with intrigues decisively.
- Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast -
Since 1312 DR, Darkhold's black walls and towering spires have been the Zhents' western base of operations. The infighting caused by Bane's death and subsequent resurrection has weakened Darkhold's influence on the surrounding area but hasn't loosened Zhent control of Darkhold itself.
The fort itself is a high-spired keep rising from a bare rocky spur on the side of the mountain named the Gray Watcher. The black stone used to build Darkhold came from a place far from the Western Heartlands. Darkhold's massive doorways, corridors, and ceilings were constructed for giants. Legends variously ascribe the keep's construction to the days when giants ruled all of Faerun or to elder elementals serving as slaves for the kingdom of Netheril.
Until Bane's resurrection, the wizard Sememmon was Darkhold's undisputed master. For an evil genius, Sememmon is a patient, observant, and wise man. He came into conflict with Fzoul Chembryl early in both their careers and has never sought or wished to fully repair the rift. When Bane died in 1358 DR, Sememmon held his own against Fzoul's Xvim-sponsored machinations by managing his underlings wisely, consolidating his power in Darkhold, and avoiding conflict with Fzoul. When Bane returned and Fzoul established sole control of the eastern Zhents, Sememmon assessed his situation, chose the wisest course of action, and disappeared.
Some of Fzoul's supporters have quietly claimed that Fzoul eliminated Sememmon himself, but high-ranking Zhents are not sure. Ashemmi, Sememmon's long-time consort and lover, disappeared at the same time as Sememmon. They withdrew to fight battles they could win, rather than keep a stronghold unlikely to survive against its original headquarters to the east.
At present, the citadel houses a permanent Zhent fighting force of eight hundred warriors, slightly reduced from the days when Sememmon held the Far Hills in perfect servitude. Fzoul seems content to let the various Zhent commanders in Darkhold spar for position, including the Pereghost. All have sworn personal oaths of loyalty to the Zhentarim cause, although the strong Cyricist influence here galls Fzoul, who wants to see all of the Zhentarim under Bane's dominion. The intrigues and assassination attempts presently dominating Darkhold's internal politics are not openly tolerated in the eastern Zhent holdings, but for the moment Darkhold's feuds are being used to cull the weak. If a strong leader does not emerge soon, Fzoul will appoint his own commander, someone strong enough to deal with intrigues decisively.