Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Designed for DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction divided across two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.

“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

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

“I expect that we do this frequently,” 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 the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in collaboration with big conventions.”