Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes eight hours of instruction split over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, learn from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning 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 hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate any element is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Input from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”