Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the planners began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject 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 fellow DMs often in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Available Classes and Pricing Tiers
Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of managing a session.
- Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
- Professional Development: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
Every class includes eight hours of training divided across a weekend.
“The classes are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can participate in, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.”
Professional Teachers
Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.
Professional development presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.
“Various attendees want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” 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 enhanced option includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.
“One could practically host an full two days just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the lab work is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and instruction.
“The aim is for the instructor to assess any element is concerned with: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”
Next Steps
Input from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”
