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Recently, Fzoul Chembryl commissioned the creation of a new symbol for the organization: a black scepter emitting green rays on a gold disc, clutched in the talons of a black wyrm. The scepter and rays signify the veneration of Bane, the disc stands for wealth, and the black dragon represents dominion.

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Hello again, fellow scribes.
Sage of Stars, you're most welcome. I'll convey your thanks (and query, of course) to Ed.
As for now, I bring once more the words of Ed, this time a response of lore to Hawkfeather, who posted back in May: “Greetings, Ed! I'm from Brazil and I've been playing (dming I should say) in the Realms for more than 11 years. First of all I'd like to thank you very much for sharing your dreams with us. And I have a few questions for you if you don't mind:
I was reading "Power of Faerûn" (GREAT book) and wondered: Did Fzoul had to ask permission to the Heralds to change the Zhentarim's symbol? And, if by chance, the new symbol looked like a existing one, how did he would react? It would be like: "I don't care! This will be the new symbol anyway!!" or like: "Sorry guys... I didn't know... Do you have any suggestions for a new blazon?". Finally, I'd like to know if the old symbol (the stylish "Z") is still used by some Zhentarims (Cyric's followers, for example).”
Ed replies:



Glad you liked POWER OF FAERUN; Eric and I had a blast writing it, though we’d both have liked to have had several hundred more pages to fill (and of course more time with which to fill them). I hope you’ve been checking the Wizards website, where you’ll see (eventually) ALL of the Border Kingdoms, not just the ones I was able to squeeze into PoF.
You’re very welcome, and of course I don’t mind fielding questions, though (as you can see; sorry) it takes me quite some time, these days, to get around to answering most scribes’ questions.
Fzoul, like most religious leaders, does not ask the permission of the Heralds for anything. However, he DOES inform them he’s doing so, because the gods (with the exception of the insane Cyric) instruct him (as they do all religious leaders) to do so. Politely and fully, without deceit or any omissions. Moreover, the new symbol would never be too close to an existing one, because Fzoul’s god (whoever it might be at the time :} ) wouldn’t allow that. The Heralds didn’t just make up this avoid-confusion rule and try to force others to go along with it; the GODS like the rule and support them in enforcing it, to avoid needless strife over mistaken identities, confusion over borders and loyalties, fighting between churches (over errors and mistakes, as opposed to DELIBERATE fighting), and so on.
The Heralds aren’t priests, nor loyal to any one deity; they serve heraldry in general, as a sort of “symbol police,” not this or that faith in particular.
So Fzoul couldn’t have gotten into the situation you describe (nor could a paladin or blackguard trying to muster an army or start a crusade; the gods will direct such individuals to “obey the system.”
And yes, the “stylish Z” symbol (actually referred to by Zhentarim as “the Pride of the Brotherhood,” or more often simply as “the Pride”) will remain in use, because many spells cast on portals, doors in the Citadel of the Raven and Zhentil Keep and the sewers and dungeons of both places, and in Zhent outposts all over the northern Heartlands, are linked to engraved or painted “prides.” It would be possible to slowly and laboriously replace all of those “Z”s, though it would take years and much effort - - but no Zhent has started to do so (yet, anyway).
Hope that helps, Hawkfeather, and sorry for my delay in replying. If there was four of me, I could write and design all the things I want to, and keep right up to date with Candlekeep lore questions, but over the years I seem to have mastered clowning, not cloning. :}



So saith Ed. Loremaster Supreme of the Realms. And everyday wearer of T-shirts with holes in them.
love to all,
THO

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