Zhentarim skymage

Zhentarim skymages were aerial-mounted spellcasters that served the Black Network as spies or arcane enforcers. They were known for the fantastic and exotic beasts upon which they soared through the skies of Faerûn.

Culture
Skymages formed strong connections to their respective mounts, earning complete loyalty from their bond. It was possible for these Zhent mages to call upon dire bats, wyverns, perytons, nightmares, sinisters, and in the cases of necromancers, even the animated remains of a previously deceased mount. The relationships between rider and mount developed the closeness that non-flying mages created with their familiars.

Contention and feuds were uncommon among the skymages and most disagreements originated from the superiority of various aerial steeds.

Base of Operations
As of the, the skymages maintained a barracks at the Citadel of the Raven in the Dragonspine Mountains.

Abilities
As befitting their role in the Zhentarim, skymages were adept riders that could maintain focus on spellcasting even during the most dire of aerial spellbattles. They also developed some skill with basic metamagic.

Possessions
Skymages were regularly gifted spells scrolls by their Zhent patrons, to expand their known repertoire of magic.

Relationships
The skymages of the Moonsea were often contested by the Moonsea skysentinels, the aerial cavalry branch of the paramilitary group the Knights of the North.

Notable Members

 * Glouris Mristifos, a skymage that rode hippogriff transformed into a beast of Xvim.
 * Istivin Naerindyth, the powerful enforcer of the Zhentarim that operated in the Dalelands region.
 * Kurn Cormaeril, the noble of House Cormaeril that betrayed his home nation of Cormyr.
 * Xabndos, a rider from Tethyamar Fortress that rode atop the dire bat Skirrak.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land