D&D 5E (2014) Opening Page of the PHB

[Nebulous]

I don't see any problem with his expression. He's a methodical goblin slayer in the zone.

 

[Ruzak]

It looks to me like his eyes are off to his left, as if he is surveying the next threat just off the page. Again hard to tell at this resolution.

 

[Thaumaturge]

It's the twentieth day of his quest to find the lost Lamp of a Thousand Faces. He's crawled through the sewers of the palace. He searched numerous boneyards and endured a ritual cleaning after each. He's even had to visit the fabled Library of Taruq.

And now this. Goblins. Of all of the creatures to try and impede his way, it has to be these nigh-Untouchables. Don't they understand? The princess has only one tenday left, and the caliphate was quite clear on the consequences of failure. He must dispatch them and continue on with his quest. The librarians told him to search the Caverns of Darset next. The Caverns are leagues away, and he must make haste.

He will find the Lamp. No matter the cost.

——

You know, something like that. He's not bored, he's searching for something. Seeking something. His mind is on grander things than a fight with goblins.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Klaus]

If anyone has any idea who the artist is lemme know and I'll update the first post with that that information. Kudos to whoever it is. Very nice piece.

I want to say Ralph Horsley, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[variant]

Is that human or even organic? He's completely one color, including his eyes. Looks like some animated statue.

 

[Olfan]

Is that human or even organic? He's completely one color, including his eyes. Looks like some animated statue.

This. I dig the vibe, love the angle, the style, the colors, the aesthetic, the Arabian look, the non-white portrayal. But the guy's face. I honestly thought he was a construct when I first saw him. His face is just one blobby color and his eyes look dead with no detail anywhere around there. I'm willing to admit maybe the resolution doesn't convey the glory of the image, but just from what I'm seeing, it's kind of unsettling. Glad I'm not the only one who saw it.

 

[AstroCat]

It reminds me of some old school Conan sword and sorcery. Exotic landscapes, bad ass warriors. I REALLY like this piece of art.

Yeah I dig it too, a bit of a S&S Frank Frazetta vibe, which is nice to see in D&D. I see a "man/male" and he's dark skinned, is this in question? I suppose "he" could be some kind of construct but I'm not feeling that was the intent.

 

[Imaro]

I'm finding the comments concerning his skin tone weird (best word I could come up with)...since there are plenty of black people that have skin that dark and in those tones... I'm not understanding why it's in question whether he is human, wearing a mask, a construct or a drow... he looks like a black human.

 

[Melkor]

I'm finding the comments concerning his skin tone weird (best word I could come up with)...since there are plenty of black people that have skin that dark and in those tones... I'm not understanding why it's in question whether he is human, wearing a mask, a construct or a drow... he looks like a black human.

It was the 'dead eyes' (not skin tone) that made me think he was a construct at first glance.

That may just be the size of the picture that doesn't allow me to really make out the detail in the eyes, though.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I'm finding the comments concerning his skin tone weird (best word I could come up with)...since there are plenty of black people that have skin that dark and in those tones... I'm not understanding why it's in question whether he is human, wearing a mask, a construct or a drow... he looks like a black human.

Indeed. It seems pretty weird to me, having seem plenty of people approximately that colour with similar features (narrow eyes, very dark irises).