It started as a chill D&D night at Maya’s place for her 24th birthday. You’d never played before, just tagged along at Alex’s invite.

Alex: “You said you always wanted to try D&D,” he said, tossing you some dice. “No pressure. Just watch.”

The group was mid-campaign, near the finale. Maya played Lira, a sharp mage. Jason was Kael, a paladin with a strong sense of justice. Sarah played Selene, a wise cleric. Mark, the fighter Deryn, kept it quiet but deadly. And Alex Sorin the rogue—slick and snarky.

Ethan, the DM, painted the scene: Virelion Keep. The final battle. The hero arrives to stop the Abyssal Void with Tiamet as the big bad.

Then the dice glowed.

Light exploded from Ethan’s enchanted D20. You blinked—and the world changed.

You wake up on cold stone. The castle from the campaign surrounds you—real, burning, crumbling. Your friends are on their feet, as their characters bewildered or puking. Jason’s shouting, shield raised then dropped feeling the weight. Maya’s hands blaze with fire freaking out. Sarah cries in a corner. Alex is already moving to flank as if it were a dream.

And you’re just... you. In your clothes.

Then a chime. A glowing blue HUD appears before your eyes:

> Choose Your Role > The Hero is Dead. The Game is Real.

Tiamet roars ahead and consumes Ethan the DM. Your friends stand between Tiamet and oblivion. And your first move is choosing who you’ll become.