Dragons of the Gloaming

When game-master BRAD and his buddies CARLOS and RAJ find a mysterious game module in the home of Wizards & Weaponry creator Dave Gary but don’t have enough players, they turn to Brad’s sister ELENA, who agrees to play only as cover for sneaking out of the house.

But when they roll dice to start the game, a portal of light sucks them into the game world as their characters: a DWARF, an ELF, and a KNIGHT. Except Brad, the game master, who transports as his weak, teen self. Stuck in the game world with no dice to roll their way back. The players find the nearest village and end up defending it against a dragon attack.

DRYGA, a wise old villager, tells them about a mythical castle in the Dark Forest that holds the key to their returning home. BREE, daughter of a villager killed by the dragon, offers to guide them there. In the forest, they encounter various monsters, and Brad is killed in the Dragon’s lair.
 
Devastated but determined, the players fight on and recover the game dice. But Dryga appears, takes the dice, and reveals that he is really DAVE GARY, creator of Wizards & Weaponry, trapped in his own game for months. Dave forces Bree to carry the Dragon’s treasure back to the real world, activates the light portal and zaps everyone back home, including Bree, a very much alive Brad (now blind) and accidentally, the Dragon.

Angered by the theft of its treasure, the Dragon attacks and eats Dave. Our teen heroes ultimately defeat the dragon, and Brad’s vision returns. The gang decides to bury the dangerous game module. That is, until Bree asks if they can help her return home. (Leaving room for a sequel)