You spent the early part of your life in employ of the Zhentarim specifically as a trader and merchant within the shadow organization. Your business of trade could have been slavery, weapons, black market goods, drugs, or information. As the old Black Network crumbled, their business changed becoming more of a mercenary company. This is merely a front as they rebuild their place in the nefarious trades of the Realms. For whatever reason you abandoned your past and struck out on your own as an adventurer, or maybe the Zhentarim have enlisted your aid on a secret mission to spread their grip in Faerun.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception and either Persuasion or Insight

Languages: Two of your choice

Equipment: Set of common clothes, Zhentarim coin, ink pen, parchment, ink bottle, Sealing wax, Merchant’s scale, and a pouch with 15 gp

Suggested Characteristics

Zhentarim agents still have a nefarious reputation within Faerun despite their increased efforts in recent years to overcome this image. Zhentarim agents tend to be deceptive and selfish, willing to put their greed ahead of the needs of their fellow companions. They are trustworthy enough to their own members, but to outsiders they are often cold and calculating in their dealings. They prefer to deal with problems through cunning and guile rather than outright confrontation.

d8	Personality Trait
1	You don’t particularly like following the rules in a given situation
2	You are often more observant than others taking special precautions to look for exits, entry points, potential secret passages, and valuables
3	You are cold, cunning, and calculating in every endeavor
4	You are always looking for new business opportunities
5	You have a cynical nature and tend to be distrustful of even your closest companions
6	You are impulsive and will often take complicated risks when the solution to a problem might be simple
7	It’s hard to earn your trust, but once earned you are extremely loyal
8	It’s oftentimes hard for people to discern whether you are a friend or an enemy

d6	Ideal
1	Greed: You’re always looking for a way to become wealthy, even if it’s not exactly legal
2	Freedom: You believe everyone deserves to live a free life away from tyranny
3	People: You believe the best of people in every situation
4	Business: You spend your life devoted to your business and furthering your own ends
5	Information: The key to power lies through information
6	Charity: You justify nefarious business dealings by giving money to a cause important to you

d6	Bond
1	You can never escape your past, but you are continuously trying to do so
2	You have committed atrocities in the name of your masters and seek redemption
3	Information is power and you constantly try to gather as much damaging information on your rivals as possible
4	You owe a great debt to your benefactors which you can never seem to repay
5	You commit nefarious acts to protect your family from your masters
6	You only care about personal gain and wealth

d6	Flaw
1	You tend to brag about your shady dealings when you should remain tight lipped
2	You will leave your companions behind if your life is threatened
3	You don’t usually follow through with your promises
4	You tend to stutter when you’re nervous or lying
5	You hold a grudge against even the smallest slight
6	You sometimes have a hard time seeing when someone is trying to con you