Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes two days of classwork divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are instructed by a pair of experts. Universe creation is led by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several plan to produce and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the coursework and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to lead a session for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we conduct these regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”