🔗 Share this article Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “You can watch numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Workshop Options and Cost Levels DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session. Story Arc Development: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes eight hours of classwork split over two days. “The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your regular session.” Expert Instructors Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims. “Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1,500 premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2.5K top package includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The goal is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.” Future Plans Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements. “I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “You can watch numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Workshop Options and Cost Levels DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session. Story Arc Development: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes eight hours of classwork split over two days. “The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your regular session.” Expert Instructors Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims. “Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1,500 premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2.5K top package includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The goal is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.” Future Plans Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements. “I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”