Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of training spread over a weekend.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with specific goals.

“Various attendees 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. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers 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 said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The goal is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”