Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers often in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes two days of training spread over 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to review whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Input from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or testing different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The response has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”