Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” stated the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Covers the basics of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of instruction split over a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the following week and apply in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building features 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 provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“You could almost run an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”