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.

 

[Christian Hoffer]

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

Discredited influencer Satine Phoenix did one a few years ago.

 

[Distracted DM]

If you've been to conventions, you've been at panels where they'll handle different topics of the tabletop industry- some of those are aspects that a DM touches on, or some of them are flat-out DM-tip panels. At most, you might pay a tad over $100 for a 3-day pass for said convention (of which the panels are one of many things to do at).. those panels usually have 3-5 panelists and like, 2-3 dozen people in the audience. Of course the convention pass doesn't include room and board.

I guess I'm just weighing the cost vs value of such things, because it's the closest comparison I have...

One of my players went to DnD in a Castle, flew out to the UK for it (from US). He said it wasn't a bad time, the games were fun and the accommodations were kind of meh, the cost was exorbitant but he knew that going in. He probably did it for the novelty, he has some $$ to throw around, I think his review was "I didn't regret that I did it, but I wouldn't do it again."
I imagine this is more for new DMs or people that're really into the brand IP, with $$$ to throw around, that want to get an "official accreditation" and desire the novelty... as someone else said, you can learn things from a seminar! But the value-for-$$$ ratio is gonna be ... well, I think I'd (personally) get a better ratio from a convention panel (which is always a crapshoot).

edit: I shall admit that in the mid-late 2010's I was really into the DnD brand IP. 5e was hot stuff, Greg Tito was doing Dragon Talk ?every week?, he even sent some Tomb of Annihilation promo stuff! That was cool. I still wouldn't have considered doing this then (I might've considered DnD in a Castle if I had the $$$, in the height of my IP-fever). But as far as DM tutelage goes, I got more value from Matt Colville YT videos and livestreams.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

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.

Matt Colville's Running the Game video series is right there, free, longer, covers more subjects and is pretty great training for DMs, new or old.

 

[AlViking]

Matt Colville's Running the Game video series is right there, free, longer, covers more subjects and is pretty great training for DMs, new or old.

Yeah, I'm wondering who this is really for other than people who just like this kind of stuff and have spare money to burn. But there are similar things for race driving schools for example, so there must be a demand. My biggest concern would be someone is going to go to a seminar and expect to become a professional GM after a weekend.

 

[TerraDave]

It is such a fine line between total scam and useful skill building.

 

[Morrus]

My biggest concern would be someone is going to go to a seminar and expect to become a professional GM after a weekend.

Define 'professional GM'. Is it a qualitative judgement or is it just a descriptor for somebody who charges for their services?

 

[Professor Murder]

I think the better measure is being a successful professional GM, as in, you successfully get clients who pay you with some regularity. That that is about more than learning to be a GM.

 

[Distracted DM]

Define 'professional GM'. Is it a qualitative judgement or is it just a descriptor for somebody who charges for their services?

Whenever anyone talks "pro GM(ing)" I imagine that they're referring to the paid occupation... but yeah some folk might just be referring to "being good at it."

 

[robowieland]

Discredited influencer Satine Phoenix did one a few years ago.

There have been a few. I almost did one for an article but then COVID hit.

The race car driving school comparison is apt. Plenty of nerds have money to burn on trips like this. There's also one where you can play D&D not just in a castle but Dracula's Castle. A couple of years ago organizers tried to do a thing like a muisc festival for RPGs in Malta. If well-heeled nerds are willing to pay to see Dimension20 in MSG, there are people willing to sell them unique experiences.

 

[AlViking]

Define 'professional GM'. Is it a qualitative judgement or is it just a descriptor for somebody who charges for their services?

The people I would be concerned about (if that's even the correct term to use) would be people that would look at this seminar as an investment that would pay for itself by making money running games for money. I suspect it's more just for people who blow more money on vacations than I normally do, and it doesn't sound like a scam. I'm just too much of a cheapskate to spring for this even though I suppose I could afford it if I wanted to.

On the other hand I once looked up a 3 day racing course for similar money but I got vetoed by my wife so who am I to talk?