Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at DMU
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
Game masters can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:
- Skill Building: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
- Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
- Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.
Each course includes eight hours of training divided across a weekend.
“The workshops are structured so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your regular session.”
Professional Teachers
Most classes are led by two professors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.
Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.
“Some of them plan to create their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Advanced Options
A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour 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 immersive experiences.
“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2,500 platinum tier provides an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.
“The purpose is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Feedback from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or trying out different seminar structures.
“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I think it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”
