Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can choose from tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Teaches the essentials of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork split over 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess any element is interested in: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. May I present a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to receive input and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Input from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or testing different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events very often,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with big conventions.”