Dungeons & Dragons revealed a new initiative called D&D Icons during Gen Con, aiming to pair legendary creators with the settings and characters they helped make famous. Actor and longtime D&D fan Joe Manganiello, who is also developing his own setting called Death Saves, will serve as chief creative officer for the line.
The first announced D&D Icons projects include a Dragonlance tabletop RPG book from creators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, marking their first work on that setting in over 20 years and described as the most ambitious Dragonlance volume yet. R.A. Salvatore will bring back his character Drizzt Do'Urden in a new Legend of Drizzt project. Luke Gygax, son of D&D co-creator Gary Gygax, will work on a Greyhawk project built from his father's unfinished content and unreleased notes, described as an adventure through Gary Gygax's eyes. No release dates have been confirmed yet, though the Greyhawk book could arrive as early as 2027.
The announcement comes amid a broader push by Wizards of the Coast to reconnect with the franchise's history. Dan Ayoub, head of the D&D franchise, has said bringing back iconic creators was a priority since he took on the role, a goal he reaffirmed in a post last October featuring Manganiello and the Hickmans. Weis and Hickman's return is notable given their troubled history with Wizards, including a 2020 lawsuit, while Luke Gygax's involvement highlights his father's foundational role in the game, which some feel had been overshadowed by recent cultural debates.
Alongside D&D Icons, Wizards showed off a new Greyhawk adventure called Crown of the Witch Queen, set for a late 2027 launch. The story centers on returning villain Drelnza, a vampire seeking to claim her birthright as the daughter of longtime D&D character Tasha. According to a press briefing, the adventure is meant to feel like classic Greyhawk but updated for modern audiences, and it fits into the official D&D roadmap's 'Season of Swords & Sorcery.' Concept art shown at the event featured Castle Greyhawk, the Yatil Mountains, rivers, and ruins.
Gen Con also included other major D&D reveals, such as a Dark Sun revamp and a crossover project bringing World of Warcraft to tabletop, with designer James Wyatt promising a new way to explore Azeroth. Overall, D&D Icons is being framed not just as a nostalgic callback but as a forward-looking effort, with the returning creators expected to help shape future content alongside the current design team under Ayoub's 'A new dawn for D&D' vision.