Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Game masters can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes multiple sessions of training spread over 48 hours.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Input from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with large gatherings.”