Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your peers who are probably in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes two days of instruction spread over two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Some of them aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The goal is for the faculty member to assess whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”