🔗 Share this article Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages Game masters can opt for 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: Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session. Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Setting Creation: Concentrates on the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry. Each course includes two days of classwork split over 48 hours. “The workshops are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your regular session.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design. Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Higher Tiers A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages Game masters can opt for 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: Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session. Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns. Setting Creation: Concentrates on the development of worlds. Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry. Each course includes two days of classwork split over 48 hours. “The workshops are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your regular session.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design. Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Higher Tiers A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”