Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your peers who are probably in comparable situations and seek to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction split over two days.

“The workshops are created so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the following week and implement in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.

“Various attendees plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”