Actor Joe Manganiello and former Dungeons & Dragons lead designer Mike Mearls are joining forces to release Death Saves, a brand-new dark fantasy campaign setting for the popular tabletop role-playing game. Inspired by Manganiello’s streetwear brand of the same name, the setting promises a grittier, more tragic environment compared to the high-fantasy adventure tone traditionally associated with fifth edition D&D.
The core premise of the Death Saves setting takes place in the bleak aftermath of a cataclysmic conflict known as The Blood War. In this world, the major deities have perished, leaving mortal civilization hanging by a thread amid the ruins of a collapsed pantheon. Designed as a “black label” style product, the release aims to cater to players seeking higher stakes, grim motives, and a mature aesthetic within their campaigns.
This project marks a notable return to official D&D content for Mike Mearls, who parted ways with Wizards of the Coast in 2023 to work with tabletop studio Chaosium. The collaboration brings together Mearls’ extensive background in system design with Manganiello’s creative vision and longstanding involvement in the tabletop community. Fans will get their first look at the setting in action when Manganiello hosts a live-play session at Gen Con in Indiana on July 31.
The announcement comes during a busy period for Dungeons & Dragons, following the rollout of the updated 2024 core rules and a packed 2026 publishing schedule. With sourcebooks like Ravenloft: The Horrors Within already released and upcoming titles such as Arcana Unleashed set for later this year, the introduction of Death Saves expands the game’s official library into increasingly varied thematic territory.
