Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs run D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“You can watch countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.
Course Offerings and Ticket Packages
Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:
- Core Techniques: Covers the basics of managing a session.
- Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
- Universe Design: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
- Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes two days of instruction divided across a weekend.
“The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your regular session.”
Expert Instructors
The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.
Career building features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.
“Certain participants aim to start their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Higher Tiers
A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.
“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework 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 $2.5K premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”
Next Steps
Feedback from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”