Darkhold

Darkhold, originally called The Keep of the Fallen Hills, is the western stronghold of the Zhentarim, located south of the Sunset Mountains in the Western Heartlands. The looming castle was built a millennium ago by giants as a summer capitol for the Giant Empires. When the Giant Empires collapsed, the Keep was abandoned and looted. It eventually became the home of the dragon Cryomantipelica and later, as the Wild Hold, the base of operations for an adventuring company called The Wildmen of the North.

The castle finally became Darkhold when it was conquered and settled by the lich-queen Varalla. In 1312 DR, the Zhentarim invaded and destroyed Varalla, gaining a base to expand their organization westward. Darkhold was ruled by the wizard Sememmon until recently, when he and his consort Ashemmi vanished in response to the consolidation of Zhentarim power in the east by rival Fzoul Chembryl.

Darkhold is currently led by The Pereghost, who commands its 800 warriors, and Dhamir Ercals, who leads the resident clerics of Cyric. Though both leaders are servants of Cyric and are preparing for the inevitable holy war against the Banites, the hatred between them is such that more time is spent on assassination plots than their Zhentarim duties.