Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your peers likely in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” stated the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of training split over a weekend.

“The courses are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals.

“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to review whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with large gatherings.”