Nicci-Grace of Mystic Quill Collective pulls back the curtain to reveal the charming nature of D&D in a Castle’s own illustrious Dungeon Masters.

Read below to learn more about industry legends, the behind-the-scenes of Hardcore Mode, the heartwarming family dynamics at the Youth Table, and more. 

Meeting the Dungeon Masters

From big names in the industry, like Mr Mark Meer, Jason Charles Miller, and Elisa Teague, to Dungeon Masters as new to the castle as I was, not one of them was less than charming.

From Mark Meer asking me for a photograph, to Keith Baker asking me to sign his copy of Eberron; from bonding with London Carlisle over a shared love of Taylor Swift, to snapping selfies at the Night of Renown with fellow tiefling, Beth the Bard, it was a joy to meet these industry celebrities, watch them charm the guests, and see their Charisma on full display as they threw themselves into leading the Night of Renown festivities.

Being behind the scenes, I had the opportunity to share in their excitement about how their campaigns were unfolding, like Kelly Lynne D’Angelo’s school of magic campaign, replete with puzzles, twists, and turns. While the Hardcore Mode DMs, Alcuin Gersh and Mike Tinney, I barely saw in passing as they surfaced only to gather rations and squirrel away again, back to the dungeon.

Local DM, Chris Hately, ran the Youth Table, where, for the first time at D&D in a Castle, parents and underage players had the opportunity to play together. This was an addition the organisers made in response to a specific request from a father-child duo, and it is safe to say Chris, as a father himself, made it a memorable bonding experience for each of the families involved. Speaking of parenting, congratulations and kudos go out to Jasper William Cartwright who still managed to DM an amazing campaign whilst having just welcomed a new-born baby into the world.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention that this was also the first D&D in a Castle during which the DMs came together to record an actual-play, DMed by the majestic Jayden King. The illustrious party was made up of bold adventurers Beth the Bard, Elisa Teague, Mark Meer, Chris Hately, and Guy Sclanders. With the majestic backdrop of the Waterford Suite and the creative energy each of these DMs brings to the table, I for one, cannot wait to grab some popcorn and bask in some top- tier collaborative storytelling when this momentous actual-play airs.

You can watch the world premiere of the actual-play on June 15th, 11 am PT (2 pm ET) on D&D in a Castle’s YouTube Channel.

For more of my photos and reels from the event, follow me @dndnomadgirl on Instagram, or for official photos and event announcements, follow @dndinacastle.