🔗 Share this article Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and other game masters likely in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes: Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of managing a session. Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes two days of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors The majority of workshops are taught by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives. “Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences. “It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to review any element is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a specific world that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Input from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table. In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and other game masters likely in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes: Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of managing a session. Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. Every class includes two days of instruction spread over 48 hours. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors The majority of workshops are taught by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives. “Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences. “It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to review any element is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a specific world that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Input from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”