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

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme 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 there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Covers the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of training split over two days.

“The courses are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1,500 premium package offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The aim is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Input from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or testing different seminar structures.

“I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”