Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead D&D games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

DMs can select packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes multiple sessions of training split over 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.

“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”