🔗 Share this article Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master Academy Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl. Available Classes and Cost Levels Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses: Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of running D&D. Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures. Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. Every class includes eight hours of classwork split over a weekend. “The courses are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your local game.” Seasoned Educators The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the skill of universe design. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Various attendees plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “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?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to assess any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl. Available Classes and Cost Levels Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses: Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of running D&D. Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures. Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the gaming industry. Every class includes eight hours of classwork split over a weekend. “The courses are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your local game.” Seasoned Educators The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the skill of universe design. Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Various attendees plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “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?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to assess any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”