Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can choose from 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 a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction split over 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Certain participants aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an extended personal consultation and the chance to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to review any element is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with big conventions.”