Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes two days of instruction divided across two days.

“The workshops are created so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to review any element is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Responses from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with big conventions.”