Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your peers often in a similar position and aim to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Game masters can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

Every class includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days.

“The courses are designed so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is intended to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A $1.5K premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and information on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”