Behind the Scenes at D&D in a Castle: Part 5 of 5
The thrilling tale of Nicci-Grace of Mystic Quill Collective's adventure at D&D in a Castle comes to an end. Read the heartfelt conclusion as she reflects on the meticulous efforts required to orchestrate a truly magical vacation beyond imagination.
We extend our gratitude to Nicci-Grace for her dedication in crafting the extraordinary experience, and for allowing us all to journey along on this unforgettable voyage.
What Makes D&D in a Castle so Special?
The attention to detail that the D&D in a Castle staff puts into the preparations for this experience is nothing short of, dare I say it…exhausting!
From ribbon tied information scrolls, to wax sealed banquet invitations; from lovingly prepared gift bags brimming with top-quality D&D merchandise, to a varied array of side quests; and from medieval music to immersive dramatics, everything is carefully curated to create a sense of grandeur and fantasy throughout. Personally wax sealing around 200 invitations and tokens of renown was, of course, time consuming (and a little wax-fume consuming), but I was rather a dab hand at it by the end – a badge I shall wear with honour. And, of course, it has inspired me to imminently send off for my own Mystic Quill Collective wax seal, whether I yet have cause to or not!
More to the point, though, seeing and hearing the buzz from the guests as they mingled over the course of the weekend made all the preparations thoroughly worth the exhaustion and definitely injected a little pep back into my step. Being a small cog in the powerhouse behind producing such a regal and immersive experience was an honour. Watching guests arrive as strangers and leave as friends, bonding over a shared love of the game and seeing personalities thriving in the safe and inclusive community fostered through D&D in a Castle…well that was a privilege.
All that said, it is the genuine passion of the people behind the event, from the organisers, to the DMs, the staff, and the guests themselves that really makes the entire week so special. From Guy Sclanders offering a Guy-did tour of the castle, to Jason Charles Miller performing an intimate acoustic concert with all our favourite D&D themed songs, everyone pours themselves into making D&D in a Castle a unique experience. The shared love of D&D and the thrill of coming together to celebrate that passion creates a remarkable bond amongst guests and staff alike. My resounding take home from my involvement is that D&D in a Castle is a safe place to truly embrace the fandom and reclaim the term “nerd;” to cosplay as much or as little as you’d like, to joke in D&D jargon that would be lost on non-playing friends, and (for some) to debate the best ways to min-max any character in the multiverse. It was a joy to be involved in curating this experience for the guests and to witness their delight and immersion in it.
All in all, I couldn’t think of a better way to have spent ten days in the north of England. It has left me feeling inspired, invigorated, and admittedly, I’ll say it…a little bit exhausted. Still, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
Huzzah!
For more of my photos and reels from the event, follow me @dndnomadgirl on Instagram, or for official photos and event announcements, follow @dndinacastle.
