D&D 5E Players Handbook Expanded Cover Art

[Nixlord]

I might as well use this thread to start previewing artwork for the PHBE. So here's the first one, a subclass of the Inquisitor:

The Order of the Black Hand, the authoritarian branch of the Church of Bane, seeks to dominate societal power structures through coercion and deceit. They undermine governments and manipulate legal systems to further the Church's agendas, permitting only a limited degree of chaos and vice. Ruthless methods, including torture, beatings, and strategic assassinations, are commonly employed to achieve their ends.

Inquisitors of the Order, also known as Dreadmasters, are tasked with rooting out traitors and enemy spies, such as Harper Agents, as well as other threats like the Arcane Brotherhood and the Cult of the Dragon. These operatives are relentless and cunning, using any means necessary to expose and eliminate threats to the Order and its overarching mission of spreading Bane's influence.

 

[Nixlord]

Inquisitor Preview #2. The Order of the Fangshields.

The Fangshields is a unique and noble organization that worships the deities Lurue, Nobanion, or Selûne. Their mission is to counter the threats posed by sinister monsters and monstrous organizations that operate outside the reach of typical societal boundaries.
The Order of the Fangshields focuses on tracking and hunting sinister threats like fiends, fey, monsters, undead, and other supernatural entities that endanger the frontier regions and rural areas. They particularly specialize in ferreting out and eliminating shapechangers and illusionists who pose as ordinary folk like doppelgangers, evil lycanthropes, hags, oni, rakshasa, and vampires. They conduct their operations discreetly, often employing tactics of espionage and stealth akin to those used by groups like the Harpers. However, they avoid large-scale military actions to prevent drawing undue attention to themselves and to conserve their limited numbers. Their vigilant presence and strategic interventions continue to safeguard the boundaries between the civilized world and the wild, ensuring the safety of unsuspecting populations.

 

[Nixlord]

Inquisitor Preview #3. Order of the Black Flame. The Order of the Black Flame operates as a clandestine society of holy assassins, known as Black Flame Zealots, who are fervently devoted to Kossuth, the Firelord. These Inquisitors are steeped in the dark rites of their faith, blending divine magic with the art of stealth to carry out their sacred mission—eliminating those who have blasphemed or caused offense to Kossuth. Their training allows them to execute their tasks with ruthless efficiency, moving through the shadows and using their fanatical devotion to fuel their actions.
The fire of a Black Flame Zealot burns black because it symbolizes a perversion or corruption of the natural aspects of fire. While Kossuth's fire represents purification, light, and destruction that leads to renewal, the black flame signifies destruction without the promise of rebirth or cleansing. The black flame doesn't just burn; it consumes life. It is a manifestation of fire that has been tainted or altered by the zealot's intense devotion to a darker aspect or interpretation of Kossuth's domain.

 

[Nixlord]

The Order of the Gauntlet is a stalwart alliance of like-minded individuals who are committed to combating evil and upholding justice throughout the Realms. Its Inquisitors are divine champions who pursue their mission with zealous determination, believing firmly in confronting evil directly and in the open. By defeating darkness in the light of day, they aim to inspire and rally others to their cause, reinforcing the virtues of justice and bravery. Their bold actions serve as a beacon of hope and a warning to those who would perpetrate evil deeds.

Inquisitors of the Order draw their spiritual strength and guidance from the deities Helm, Torm, and Tyr—gods associated with vigilance, courage, and justice. Each member's devotion may lean more towards one deity's teachings than the others, allowing for diversity within their unified goal. The Order's Inquisitors maintain a constant watchful eye over the Realms, prepared to act against any sign of insidious aggression or emerging threat. They are not just warriors; they also serve as investigators and guardians against dark forces, meticulously monitoring and thwarting the plans of creatures deemed inherently malevolent, ensuring peace and safety across Faerun.

The Inquisitor Class arrives at the DM's Guild on June 18!

 

[Nixlord]

Inquisitor Preview #5. The Order of the Forestarms serves as the judicial branch of the Church of Mielikki, the deity revered for her guardianship of forests and forest creatures. This Order is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and civilization, championing the belief that intelligent beings can coexist peacefully with the wilderness and its natural inhabitants.
Inquisitors of the Order of the Forestarms play a crucial role in safeguarding the forest from any form of unnatural harm that might disrupt the ecological balance, including the threat of aberrations. Their duties involve conducting thorough investigations to identify and punish individuals or groups responsible for such exploitations, including those who inflict cruelty on forest creatures, engage in sport hunting, and wanton deforestation.

The Inquisitor arrives June 18!

 

[Nixlord]

Inquisitor Preview #6. The Order of the Golden Cup is a faction devoted to Ilmater, the Crying God, committed to embodying his virtues of compassion and perseverance. Members of this order dedicate their lives to healing and protecting those who cannot defend themselves—namely the innocent, the weak, and the ailing.
Inquisitors of the Order of the Golden Cup actively seek out and investigate phenomena of unexplained sufferings, be it through illness, disease, or supernatural afflictions. They are skilled at identifying the sources of such distress and typically strive to resolve these issues through nonviolent means. However, they are not strictly pacifists; when faced with malevolent forces or when all other options have been exhausted, they are prepared to use force to eliminate threats, ensuring that the well-being and relief of the suffering remain their highest priority.

 

[Nixlord]

The Order of Illumination is an unyielding institution devoted to the eradication of concealed evils and deceptive forces, operating under a doctrine of uncompromising aggression and determination. With a mission to expose and annihilate malevolence in all its forms, the organization empowers its members to relentlessly pursue and obliterate sinister entities, regardless of the personal or collateral toll.

 

[Nixlord]

The Order of the Weave operates as the inquisitorial and military branch of Mystra's church, known as the Church of Mysteries, dedicated to preserving and protecting the Weave, the source of all magic in the Forgotten Realms. Their primary goal is to safeguard arcane knowledge and ensure that it is used responsibly and for the greater good, preventing its abuse or corruption by nefarious forces. The Order conducts investigations into the arcane, the occult, and supernatural phenomena that may become potential threats.

The Inquisitor arrives June 18!

 

[Nixlord]

The Inquisitor Class has arrived! Grab it now at the DM's Guild!

It's time to judge your enemies!

Written by the author of the Adamantine Best-Selling Monster Manual Expanded series, this 25-page Player's Handbook supplement introduces the Inquisitor, an exciting new divine class tailored to infuse your campaign with fresh content, this supplement also unveils innovative mechanics to enhance your gameplay experience!

Also featured in this supplement are 8 Subclasses, each presented by hand-drawn artwork!
The inquisitor is a holy justiciar dedicated to a singular purpose: the preservation and enforcement of their faith's doctrine. Motivated by a fervent belief in their religious tenets, inquisitors operate with an unwavering resolve that often borders on the fanatical. Their mission is divine, driven by a higher calling to uphold the sanctity of their religion against corruption from within and threats from beyond.

This is the 2nd class (after The Shaman) that will be included in next year's Players Handbook Expanded. These classes will be updated and aligned with the PHB 2024 when it gets released. Those who purchase the classes will get a discount on the Player's Handbook Expanded when it arrives in the 1st quarter of 2025.