Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your peers likely in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can select options ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes eight hours of instruction divided across two days.

“The courses are created so that you leave with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can participate in, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are instructed by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building features four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and write original content,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in conjunction with major events.”