Zhentarim

Criminal underworld. Their logo is in the shape of a winged snake.

Zhents

Smoke suspects that Yagra Stonefist and her boss Davil are Zhentarim, but this is unconfirmed.

Members can often be identified by their neck tattoos, which depict the Zhentarim serpent.

The Zhents are something of a boogeyman in Waterdeep. Rumor has it they've got their fingers in all sorts of illegal pies, from mercenary work to black-market smuggling to political lobbying. As far as the public knows, they probably have no actual influence in the government (and certainly that's what the government says)... but there are always rumors.

They're not a Thieves' Guild - at least Thieves Guilds have some code of honor. Zhents are as shady as they come.