Character Overview
Rian Nightshade is a high-ranking representative of the Zhentarim, a faction known for its extensive mercenary, smuggling, and intelligence networks. Unlike the more idealistic members of the council, Rian operates in shades of grey, believing that profit, leverage, and pragmatism should dictate decisions rather than morality.
She is sharp-witted, highly observant, and utterly unflappable, treating the council’s proceedings as another battlefield—one fought with words, deals, and political manoeuvring. Rian does not see the Cult of the Dragon as an existential threat but as a problem to be managed or exploited, and she will work to ensure the Zhentarim come out ahead in any agreement.
Personality & Roleplaying Guide:
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Speech Style: Smooth, calculated, with an undercurrent of amusement.
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Core Beliefs: Power is transactional; morality is a weakness.
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Strengths: Master negotiator, skilled strategist, well-informed.
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Weaknesses: Distrusted by most council members, willing to make morally dubious deals.
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Attitude Toward Others: Respects competence, manipulates the idealistic, and ridicules the naïve.
Relations with Other Council Members
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Laeral Silverhand: Sees her as naive but useful; respects her power but not her idealism.
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Dagult Neverember: Potential ally; both are opportunists, but she knows he will betray her if it suits him.
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Althaea Moonshadow: Mutual disdain; Rian mocks the Harpers’ secrecy while knowing they keep tabs on her.
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Delaan Winterhound: Thinks he’s impractical; she sees his balance obsession as weakness.
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Ontharr Frume: Openly despises him; finds his righteousness laughable and inflexible.
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The Adventurers: Watches them closely; she will offer aid but expects payment in return.
Goals for the Meeting
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Ensure the Zhentarim profit from the war.
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Undermine anyone who tries to push morality-based decision-making.
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Secure mercenary contracts, supply deals, or intelligence agreements for the Zhentarim.
Talking Points for Each Agenda Item
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Opening Statements
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Acknowledge the Cult as a threat but downplay moral arguments.
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Frame the discussion as one of “strategy and cost-benefit.”
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Security Concerns & The Winterscrest Attack
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Suggest that intelligence failures are due to lack of proper funding.
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Offer Zhentarim security solutions—at a price.
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The Cult of the Dragon’s Threat
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Point out potential weaknesses in the Cult rather than advocating war.
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Propose using bribery, sabotage, and infiltration over direct confrontation.
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Faction Contributions & Preparedness
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Offer Zhentarim mercenary forces as “neutral third parties” for protection.
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Push for supply contracts, weapons deals, and transport rights.
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The Role of the Adventurers
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Test their intelligence; determine if they are useful or ideological liabilities.
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Offer covert support—but only if they agree to work with the Zhentarim in the future.
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Final Deliberations & Voting on Immediate Actions
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Oppose any “crusade-style” military campaign that isn’t profitable.
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Ensure the Zhentarim are included in any intelligence-sharing agreement.
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Closing Statements & Next Steps
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Remind the council that wars are won by those who know how to adapt.
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Push for a results-driven approach instead of idealism.
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Secrets & Hidden Information
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The Zhentarim have already made contact with certain Cult factions, weighing whether to play both sides.
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Rian has blackmail material on at least one council member, though she will not reveal this unless necessary.
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She is more willing to work with Neverember than she lets on, but only if she remains in control of the negotiations.
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The Zhentarim are positioning themselves as “neutral brokers”, offering protection while keeping an escape plan open.
Reactions to the Players actions
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Skyreach Castle Returned to the Giants – Sees opportunity. Will push for opening discreet trade negotiations with the giants, especially regarding weapons or mercenary services.
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Dragon Eggs Survived – Wants to exploit this. Will argue that the eggs are assets, not threats, and should be kept hidden and studied for potential bargaining power.
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Rezmir Captured, Rath Escaped – Views this as leverage. Suggests ransoming Rezmir for Cult secrets rather than executing her outright. Regarding Rath, she will subtly suggest that the Zhentarim may have means of tracking him… for a price.