Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where professional dungeon masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and your peers likely in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” explained Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of training spread over a weekend.

“The classes are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the following week and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by two professors. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees want to launch their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, several aim to release and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package provides access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the formal instruction and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”