Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and other game masters often in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.
Workshop Options and Cost Levels
Game masters can select options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
- Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Universe Design: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
- Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.
Each course includes eight hours of training spread over 48 hours.
“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and apply in your home campaign.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are led by two professors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.
Industry advancement features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives.
“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Advanced Options
A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.
“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2,500 platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to lead a session for several participants plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess any element is interested in: I have difficulty with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Input from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or trying out varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”
