Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and seek to level up their game,” explained the program's dean.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes eight hours of training divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you leave with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then return to your group the next week and put into practice in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement presents four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.

“Various attendees aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested 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 do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”