Dungeons & Dragons has welcomed numerous acclaimed storytellers into its Forgotten Realms setting, and Wizards of the Coast has unveiled a new product line called D&D Icons. This initiative aims to bring together various creators to develop fresh narratives for the tabletop franchise. Joe Manganiello, known for his role in "True Blood" and his long-standing connection to Dungeons & Dragons, serves as the Chief Creative Officer for the D&D Icons line.
Speaking at Gen Con, Manganiello shared his aspirations for D&D Icons, stating his desire for the line to carry forward the legacy of the game's co-creator, Gary Gygax. "The idea that Gary Gygax got pushed out of the world that he created back in 1985 never sat right with me, and always made me sad," Manganiello explained, referencing Gygax's departure from his company, Tactical Studies Rules Inc., in the 1980s. He noted that even in later editions, Gygax and co-creator Dave Arneson were not fully reintegrated into their original creations.
Manganiello sees D&D Icons as an opportunity to honor Gygax, likening him to the "Stan Lee of role-playing." He expressed a belief in appeasing "ancestors or ghosts" and felt that continuing Gygax's work through his son, Luke Gygax, would be a welcome development for many.
The D&D Icons line features several prominent figures in the fantasy literature and gaming world. Alongside Manganiello, the lineup includes Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, who are set to re-establish the Dragonlance setting. R.A. Salvatore, celebrated author of "The Legend of Drizzt" series, is also involved, bringing back the popular character Drizzt Do'Urden.
Manganiello is developing his own setting titled "Death Saves" under the Icons banner. Weis and Hickman are reportedly working on a new volume for the Dragonlance tabletop RPG. Meanwhile, Luke Gygax is developing a Greyhawk project that will utilize unpublished maps and notes left by his father. Manganiello also hinted at the potential for modern-day settings to be incorporated into the Icons program in the future.
This expansion of Dungeons & Dragons extends beyond the Icons line, with other notable crossovers and initiatives underway. The popular MMORPG World of Warcraft is also being adapted for the tabletop game, and there is speculation about potential IP crossovers with Blizzard's other titles. The Universes Beyond initiative continues to bring diverse IPs into D&D.