Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers likely in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Designed for DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The courses are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants aim to start their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect 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 opportunity to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess any element is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with big conventions.”