The Dark Army of Night was formed by Lord Vanrak Moonstar, a minor Waterdeep noble, after his father was killed by a mysterious, uncurable wasting disease that was possibly brought back with him after Vanrak returned from an expedition to the Black Jungles of Tashalar. Vanrak, his body and mind weakened by his arduous travels, was overcome with grief and blamed the priests of Selûne from the High House of Stars for his father's death. So engrossed in his grief, Vanrak was an easy convert to Shar's worship.