Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

DMs can select tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training spread over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier offers access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction 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 $2.5K top package provides an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Input from the debut workshop will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”