D&D In a Castle Organizer to Launch D&D Dungeon Master University

The makers of D&D In a Castle is launching a new program - a seminar to help Dungeon Masters improve their skills. Tabletop Vacations is launching Dungeon Master University, with the first symposium (their words) launching in early 2026. This is an officially licensed D&D event, meaning that Dungeon Master University can use the logo and other D&D IP in their promotional work. Dungeon Master University will take place at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA.

Per the press release announcing the event, there will be four learning tracks spread out over two days. Tabletop Vacations will bring in "acclaimed Dungeon Masters, industry professionals, and seasoned storytellers" to run the various sessions.

The four tracks are as follows:

• Skill Building – Learn to run dynamic encounters, manage player behavior, and sharpen your improvisational instincts.
• Campaign Building – Design memorable story arcs layered with meaningful adventures, and learn the art of narrative pacing.
• World Building – Construct compelling settings, factions, lore, and ecosystems that bring your tabletop to life.
• Career Building – Explore the business of Dungeon Mastering with advice from professional DMs, streamers, writers, and content creators.

The first Dungeon Master University will take place January 2-3, 2026. Spots will be limited.

 

[DarkCrisis]

I've DMed D&D since the tail end of 2E. I will give you tips and tricks at half the cost of DM Uni! Just send me $$ at Ilikewastingmoney@asuckerborn.com

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Given how heavily D&D in a Castle relies on streamers, I would expect "acclaimed Dungeon Masters" to be more of the same.

 

[bedir than]

This makes me wonder, has there ever been a TTRPG cruise?

Several!
D&D at Sea is the one I've heard the most about

 

[Professor Murder]

So some more on this.
My misgivings are mostly as an educator. Obviously this isnt actually a Uni course with proper rigor or depth. It's only 4 days long. It's a seminar. Now, I'm not claiming you can't learn thing at a seminar. I just don't think it is much more than another DnD vacation package. Which, btw, I have no objection to. Premium DnD experiences to milk whales are perfectly fine by me, over trying to find ways to diminish the typical gamer experience with micro transactional trash. I also have nothin but respect and best wishes to the GMs who will be doing the instruction, streamer or otherwise. Get paid. But yeah, just can't take this super serious as a means by which someone can learn and develop kills to be a better GM given the likely expense.

 

[AlViking]

This makes me wonder, has there ever been a TTRPG cruise?

Yes, I even tried one because I had never been on a cruise. I'm not going to name names because it was quite disappointing with only a handful of games run by the same DM and other issues. I was expecting GenCon on the sea and got a mediocre gaming weekend as far as amount of play.

But mostly it was just kind of a bucket list item that I wanted to check off and now realize that I am not at all a cruise person so YMMV.

 

[AlViking]

If you want to save a quick search: Dungeon Master University — D&D in a Castle

Spoiler: How much is it?

Registration at the Dungeon Master University includes your choice of one Primary Course, access to all seminars, breakfast, lunch
and dinner on all instructional days, entrance to the Keynote Address, and the opportunity to play in "Game Lab' - evening one-shots run by fellow students and participated in by Faculty.
Sliver Tier Registration - $995
Includes all of the above

Gold Tier Registration - $1500 (100 available)
Includes all of the above, plus early access to sign up for Game Lab, one appointment for Office Hours (a half-hour, one-on-one session with a Faculty member), admission to the Welcome Reception on January 1, and a welcome gift pack including a custom Dungeon Master University backpack valued at over $250.

Platinum Tier - $2,250 (32 available)
Includes everything in Silver and Gold Tiers, plus a Game Audit - the chance to run a game at Game Lab with one of our Faculty as a player, and to receive feedback on your game from that Faculty. Platinum Tier students will also receive a Dungeon Master University exclusive Varsity Jacket valued at $175, and first access, before all other students, to choose their Office Hours with the Faculty of their choice.

 

[DarkCrisis]

If you want to save a quick search: Dungeon Master University — D&D in a Castle

Spoiler: How much is it?

Registration at the Dungeon Master University includes your choice of one Primary Course, access to all seminars, breakfast, lunch
and dinner on all instructional days, entrance to the Keynote Address, and the opportunity to play in "Game Lab' - evening one-shots run by fellow students and participated in by Faculty.
Sliver Tier Registration - $995
Includes all of the above

Gold Tier Registration - $1500 (100 available)
Includes all of the above, plus early access to sign up for Game Lab, one appointment for Office Hours (a half-hour, one-on-one session with a Faculty member), admission to the Welcome Reception on January 1, and a welcome gift pack including a custom Dungeon Master University backpack valued at over $250.

Platinum Tier - $2,250 (32 available)
Includes everything in Silver and Gold Tiers, plus a Game Audit - the chance to run a game at Game Lab with one of our Faculty as a player, and to receive feedback on your game from that Faculty. Platinum Tier students will also receive a Dungeon Master University exclusive Varsity Jacket valued at $175, and first access, before all other students, to choose their Office Hours with the Faculty of their choice.

LLLLLLLLLOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL

 

[The Firebird]

So some more on this.
My misgivings are mostly as an educator. Obviously this isnt actually a Uni course with proper rigor or depth. It's only 4 days long. It's a seminar. Now, I'm not claiming you can't learn thing at a seminar. I just don't think it is much more than another DnD vacation package. Which, btw, I have no objection to. Premium DnD experiences to milk whales are perfectly fine by me, over trying to find ways to diminish the typical gamer experience with micro transactional trash. I also have nothin but respect and best wishes to the GMs who will be doing the instruction, streamer or otherwise. Get paid. But yeah, just can't take this super serious as a means by which someone can learn and develop kills to be a better GM given the likely expense.

Agree with this. Going to add my own, which are about the...professionalization? of the DM corps. I moved to a new city recently, and in searching for games found three separate organizations running and staffing paid games. To the extent that if you are a new player, the norm for getting in may appear to be paid.

I don't have a problem with anyone who is doing that. Get paid, as you say. But it reflects imo a failure of the community to train and encourage new DMs. I can't help but feel that the rise of streaming and slick productions have increased the expectations. And I feel this sort of event contributes somewhat.

Will add-it doesn't help that many of the streamers, while giving very good advice, are giving the same advice I've been seeing on EnWorld, GitP, and elsewhere for a decade+.

 

[Alzrius]

This sounds like a skit from Son of the Beach.

"Founded in the mid-2020s, today Dungeon Master University is ranked #1 in unaccredited colleges!"

 

[GMMichael]

welcome gift pack including a custom Dungeon Master University backpack valued at over $250.