Resurrecting Krynn: Why D&D’s Dragonlance Reunion is Either a Masterstroke or a Very Fancy Hail Mary
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Dungeons & Dragons is summoning the original Dragonlance creators and Joe Manganiello back for a mysterious new project, signaling a massive, nostalgia-fueled course correction for the franchise.
Right, pull up a stool and grab a pint, because I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning and, bloody hell, it’s a bit of a resurrection act. You know that feeling when you cast a high-level necromancy spell and you’re not entirely sure if you’re bringing back a hero or a very confused skeleton? That’s the vibe coming out of Wizards of the Coast right now.
So, here’s the skinny: Dungeons & Dragons is bringing back the heavy hitters. We’re talking Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman—the legendary architects of the Dragonlance setting—alongside Joe Manganiello. Now, if you aren’t familiar with Manganiello, he’s not just that bloke from the movies who looks like he’s never missed a gym session in his life; he’s a proper, dyed-in-the-wool D&D fanatic. He’s the guy who turned his basement into a literal dungeon and plays a character named Arkhan the Cruel who, coincidentally, is obsessed with the Dragonlance goddess Takhisis.
Dan Ayoub, the relatively new head of the D&D franchise, posted a photo that sent the community into a bit of a tizzy. It featured himself, Manganiello, Weis, and both Tracy and Laura Hickman. For those keeping score at home, Laura Hickman is a legend in her own right, having co-created the Ravenloft setting. Ayoub’s caption was basically a victory lap before the race even started, mentioning he had 'very specific folks' he wanted to bring back to the table.
Now, let’s be real for a second. This feels like a massive course correction, doesn't it? If you follow the industry tea leaves like I do, you’ll know that Wizards of the Coast has been through a bit of a rough patch lately. Creative titans Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford recently jumped ship to join Darrington Press (that’s Critical Role’s publishing arm, for the uninitiated). Losing those two is like losing the lead singer and the drummer of your favorite band at the same time. You can keep playing the songs, but the soul might be a bit... thin.
Bringing back Weis and Hickman is a move straight out of the 'In Case of Emergency, Break Glass' handbook. These two created Dragonlance back in 1984 for TSR, and it remains one of the most beloved settings in gaming history. It’s got high stakes, tragic heroes, and—most importantly—bloody loads of dragons. But it’s also a setting that hasn’t had the easiest time in the modern era.
Remember 2022’s 'Shadow of the Dragon Queen'? I reckon some of you might still have a bit of a sour taste in your mouth from that one. It was... fine, I suppose, but it felt a bit light on the actual lore. Only twenty pages of background for one of the richest worlds in the multiverse? That’s like ordering a triple-decker sandwich and finding out it’s just two slices of bread and a polite suggestion of ham. The fans wanted more, and it seems Ayoub knows it.
Then there’s the Manganiello factor. The man has been trying to get a Dragonlance TV series off the ground for years. Last year, he broke our hearts a little by saying the project was dead in the water. But wait! Here he is, wearing a Dragonlance t-shirt in a corporate photo-op. Is the show back on? Is it a new line of books? Or is it something more... digital?
This is where my gentle skepticism kicks in. We’re in an age where 'synergy' is the buzzword of the day. While I’d love a high-budget Krynn series that doesn't look like it was filmed in someone's backyard, I’m also wondering what the 'Web3' or digital future of D&D looks like in this context. We’ve seen Wizards leaning heavily into their virtual tabletop (VTT) and digital collectibles. Could this reunion be the spearhead for a new way to 'own' your adventures in Krynn? I’m cautiously optimistic, but I’ve seen enough corporate 'revolutions' to know that a shiny new coat of paint doesn't always fix a leaky roof.
But let’s look at the silver lining—and it’s a bright one. Weis and Hickman are the soul of Dragonlance. Having them back at the table (literally and figuratively) suggests that Wizards is finally listening to the people who actually play the game. They aren't just hiring consultants; they’re bringing back the creators. That matters. It’s like a wizard finding his original spellbook after decades of using cheap scrolls. There's a power in that.
So, what does this mean for us, the players? Well, if we’re lucky, we’re looking at a renaissance for the world of Krynn. Maybe we get the deep, lore-heavy campaign guides we deserve. Maybe we get a transmedia experience that actually respects the source material. Or maybe, just maybe, Joe Manganiello finally gets to unleash Arkhan the Cruel on a global audience.
I’ll be keeping my eye on this one, reading the digital tea leaves as more news drops. It’s a bold move, and in an industry that feels increasingly consolidated and corporate, seeing the OGs return to the fold is enough to make even a cynical wizard like me crack a smile. Just don't ask me to pre-order anything yet—I’ve still got some 'Shadow of the Dragon Queen' trauma to work through.
Stay curious, mates. And remember: if a guy in a Dragonlance shirt tells you he has a plan, you should probably check your character sheet first.
Tags: Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, Tabletop RPGs, Wizards of the Coast, Gaming News
Original article: Polygon