Bregan D'aerthe

Founded centuries ago in the anarchic depths of Menzoberranzan, Bregan D’aerthe was originally composed of drow males who, by tradition and caste, had little power in drow society. Under the charismatic and cunning leadership of Jarlaxle, the group subverted expectations and carved out influence both within and beyond the Underdark.

Their activities have included:

• Interfering in surface-world politics (particularly in Luskan, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep)

• Gathering arcane artifacts for unknown patrons

• Mercenary operations ranging from assassinations to kingdom-wide disruptions

• Smuggling, subterfuge, and sabotage on behalf of any faction they can profitably manipulate

Though often dismissed by surface organizations, those who deal with them twice seldom make the same mistake.

Supreme Commander: Jarlaxle Baenre
An unparalleled master of disguise, diplomacy, and deadly force, Jarlaxle leads with charisma and ambition rather than rigid doctrine. Bregan D’aerthe's hierarchy is fluid, with loyalty earned through results and respect rather than birth or tradition.

Second-in-Command: Kimmuriel Oblodra
A psionicist of rare talent, Kimmuriel oversees much of the group’s logistics and magical resources. He is Jarlaxle’s counterbalance—cold, calculated, and intensely private. He runs the Underdark branch while Jarlaxle pursues his lofty goals on the surface.

Field operations are run by trusted lieutenants (often drow males with surface experience), many of whom act autonomously unless missions warrant a larger coordination effort.

Of all factions participating in the Grand Game, Bregan D’aerthe is the most quietly aligned with the adventuring group known as the Hype Squad.

This alignment is no accident.

During a critical early moment in the conflict, The Hype Squad recovered one of the Manshoon’s personal spellbooks—an artifact of such magnitude that nations might go to war over its contents. Rather than sell it to the highest bidder, the Squad brokered a deal with Jarlaxle himself.

In exchange for the spellbook:

• Jarlaxle pledged covert assistance to the Hype Squad—sending agents, information, and supplies at crucial junctures.

• He leveraged this moment to elevate Luskan’s status, using the goodwill garnered by aiding the de facto heroes of the realm to push for Luskan’s re-entry into The Lords' Alliance

“The Hype Squad’s decision to trust Jarlaxle may be their most dangerous gamble. He is neither ally nor enemy, but something worse: a friend who smiles too easily.”
— Enna Baenre, in a private communique to Leosin Erlanthar

Though Bregan D’aerthe never officially declared for any side in the Game, their operatives have turned up dead—or victorious—on nearly every battlefield, courtroom, and clandestine parley table involved.

They are the invisible thread between players, the hand that tilts the scale just enough before vanishing.

While many speculate, few can confirm the true goals of Bregan D’aerthe. However, several patterns emerge:

• Securing Luskan’s political future by stabilizing the region and eliminating the worst of its criminal underbelly—while controlling what remains.

• Recovering or replicating arcane technologies from ancient Netheril, Halruaa, and the remnants of the Cult of the Dragon.

• Establishing a new balance of power between Underdark and surface realms, one where traditional drow matriarchies lose their grip and male-led factions like Bregan D’aerthe ascend.

Jarlaxle, ever the opportunist, likely views the Grand Game not as a battleground—but as an audition.

It is with some hesitance that I pen this entry, for Jarlaxle Baenre is not a man who likes to be catalogued. He has, on more than one occasion, outwitted prophecy, destiny, and even me. That said, if one must wager the fate of the Realms on a game of knives and coin, then pray you have Bregan D’aerthe’s favor—or at the very least, their amusement.