Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

DMs can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes two days of training spread over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are instructed by a pair of experts. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.

“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Input from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a single year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I think it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”