Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

DMs can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction split over 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Career building presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with definite objectives.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host 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 – I think 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 $2.5K platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to assess any element is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want 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 current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”