Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your peers often in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes two days of training split over a weekend.

“The classes are created so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish 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 are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This represents the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to assess whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Input from the inaugural session will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”