Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where experienced game masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation 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 creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” explained the program's dean.
Available Classes and Pricing Tiers
DMs can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
- Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
All workshops includes two days of classwork spread over 48 hours.
“The classes are designed so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and apply in your regular session.”
Expert Instructors
Many sessions are taught by two professors. Universe creation is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.
Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.
“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Higher Tiers
A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2.5K premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.
“The goal is for the teacher to assess any element is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Future Plans
Input from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with major events.”
