Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and other game masters often in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” noted Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of instruction split over two days.

“The classes are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to manage an adventure for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”