Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training divided across two days.

“The courses are designed so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, learn from, and then return to your group the following week and apply in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Input from the inaugural session will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”