New Dragonlance novel from Weis and Hickman gives us a first look at Huma and Magius

Dungeons & Dragons has always been an excellent way of bringing people together. For authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the tabletop role-playing game inspired them to create their own setting of Dragonlance, which ultimately evolved into game modules and later into a best-selling literary saga. The first novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, debuted in 1984, introducing readers and players to the fantasy world of Krynn.

With more than 30 novels to their names that have captivated and inspired readers, Weis and Hickman have picked up the pen once more to create Dragonlance: War Wizard, published by Random House Worlds, the first novel in a brand-new fantasy trilogy. It is set to release on Aug. 4, 2026.

Image: Penguin Random House

While Weis and Hickman have penned plenty of epics over the years, War Wizard is a return to one of Dragonlance's iconic origin stories: the early lives and friendship of future legendary heroes Huma Dragonbane and Magius. Amid the growing threat of dragons, orcs, magic, and war, War Wizard beckons both old and new fans to discover what made Dragonlance so special in the first place.

The novel is coming at a time when interest in this classic setting is surging again. Recently, Weis and Hickman have resumed their collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, where they will be working on one or more undisclosed Dragonlance projects, along with actor, DM, and superfan Joe Manganiello.

In this exclusive excerpt from Dragonlance: War Wizard ​​​​​we see how Huma, Magius, and Greta deal with an attack by a group of ogres while also glimpsing their early bonds with one another. Read below to find out more.

The hours dragged on, and the waiting grew tedious.

“Perhaps I misunderstood them,” Magius fretted. “Maybe the ogres have no intention of attacking us. This alarm and upset will all be for nothing. Vantus will claim this proves I am a liar.”

“Speaking of Vantus, he is carrying the ogre dagger,” said Huma. “I saw him thrust it into his belt as we were leaving camp. He didn’t try to hide it, but grinned at me, as though daring me to call him out for it.”

“Maybe an ogre will kill him,” said Greta. “I said a prayer to Kiri-Jolith.”

“That an ogre would kill Vantus?” Huma asked, shocked.

“No, of course not,” said Greta. “I wouldn’t waste the god’s time. I prayed to Kiri- Jolith to keep us safe or, if he couldn’t do that, to let us all die nobly and courageously.”

“Thank you,” said Huma. “I think.”

Greta laughed, then reached out to take her brother and Magius each by the hand.

“Do you remember when we were little, we said we’d ride to battle together?”

“I remember,” said Huma.

“As do I,” said Magius.

“Here we are, the three of us,” said Greta. “And I wouldn’t be anywhere else in this whole wide world.”

The night was breathless and impenetrably dark. Clouds blotted out the light of stars and moons. And suddenly, a sound like boulders crashing down the mountainside ended their waiting.

The ogres attacked, thundering down on them like an avalanche.

“Finally!” said Greta.

“Ready?” Huma asked.

“I am ready,” said Magius. “Greta?”

“I’m ready!” she answered, her voice shaking with nervousness and suppressed excitement.

“Stay behind me,” Magius cautioned.

The three stealthily rose to their feet. Huma and Greta had drawn their swords and were waiting for Magius to cast his first spell.

He hesitated. It seemed that he had been preparing all his life for this moment. He had defied the Knight’s Council, defied the High Clerist. He had been willing to stake his life, take the Test. For the sake of the magic.

Greta nudged him. “What are you waiting for?”

Magius called on Lunitari. As he spoke her name, the goddess seemed to sweep aside the clouds and shine down on him.

“Shirak!” Magius cried and pointed at a boulder resting on the edge of an outcropping of rock.

The boulder blazed with dazzling light, as if the stone had caught fire. They could see the ogres, armed with heavy clubs and spears, charging down the hill.

The sudden and unexpected blaze threw the ogres into confusion, to judge by the grunts and exclamations. They hesitated, but only momentarily as they realized that now they could see their victims. The ogres rushed at them.

Richard and the others had been waiting for the signal, and they sprang into action the moment they saw the bright light. Magius heard the horses’ shrill whinnies and the clash of arms. He could not take the time to see what was happening to his comrades, for he had to concentrate on his spellcasting.

Greta and Huma stayed near him, weapons drawn. The ogres were coming closer.

Magius readied his second spell and drew out a piece of rabbit fur pierced by three silver pins. He held the rabbit fur in one hand and raised the other, shouting the words to the spell: “Sylar cu monaviok, sho jebus loinonn!”

Blue lightning arced from his hand and struck one ogre in the chest, then branched out to blast two more. Thunder cracked. The three ogres crashed to the ground, their limbs writhing and jerking.

The ogres plunging down the mountain behind them saw the dreadful fate of their comrades and tried to skid to a halt. Their momentum carried them forward, and they tumbled over the bodies of the fallen. Huma and Greta attacked before the ogres had a chance to regain their feet. Magius scrambled to get out of their way and took refuge in the shadow of a pine tree. Casting the two magic spells had weakened him. He needed to recover his strength and prepare another spell.

Huma and Greta dispatched their foes and ran to join Magius.

“Are there more coming?” Magius asked.

“Not that we could see,” said Huma. “My guess is they went to join their friends attacking the camp.”

They could hear the sounds of fighting coming from that direction, but the trees blocked their view and they could not see what was going on.

“Is your spell ready?” Greta asked.

Magius nodded and they ran back toward the camp, clamoring over rocks and stumbling through the brush to reach their friends. When they arrived, Huma called a halt and restrained Greta, who would have blindly charged into the midst of battle.

They crouched in the shadows to take stock of the situation.