Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

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

“The classes are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Certain participants want to launch their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, several aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and information on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Input from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”