Darkhold

Darkhold is a colossal mountain citadel carved from a single sheer cliff of glossy black volcanic stone in the Far Hills, serving as the paramount western bastion and military headquarters of the Zhentarim (The Black Network).

The Great Triple-Game: Gas, Weapons, and War

Under its cold, calculating commanders, Darkhold is currently orchestrating a masterclass in regional destabilization across the Farseas and Cormyrean frontier:

1. Methane Gas Brokering & Logistics

The Zhentarim have quietly taken control of critical transport lines moving volatile Farsea marsh gas (methane) out of the wetlands. Operating through front companies and coerced teamsters, Darkhold moves gas shipments to both Sembian merchant houses and Cormyrean industrial interests, reaping astronomical profits while keeping both empires dependent on Zhentarim supply chains.

2. Multi-Sided Arms Dealing

Darkhold’s armories are supplying weapons to multiple opposing sides of the swamp war:

Selling high-grade crossbows, armor, and iron blades to The Suh'Skel under Arroshak to bleed Cormyrean patrols in the bogs.
Supplying siege engines, armor plate, and dwarven munitions to warlord Krusht in the Stormhorns.

3. Bankrolling Krusht to Breach the Stormhorns

Most audaciously, the Zhentarim are actively bankrolling Krusht's mountain army. To the surprised and sadistic pleasure of Darkhold's commanders, Krusht's artillery offensive has pushed the war to the brink of spilling directly through the Stormhorns into Cormyr's wealthy, unprepared interior. A breached Stormhorn pass permanently shatters Cormyr's natural bastion, cripples the Obarskyr crown, and leaves the Western Heartlands entirely at the mercy of the Black Network.

Citadel Architecture & Defenses

Originally erected by ancient Netherese arcanists and augmented by giant craftsmen, Darkhold’s soaring black spires, subterranean armories, and cliffside wyvern roosts make it virtually impregnable to conventional assault. It commands the high approaches between Sunset Vale, the Marshes of Tun, and the western Farseas.