Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where experienced game masters run D&D games in historic castles in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of training spread over two days.

“The courses are structured so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several aim to release and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Input from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”