Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your peers often in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

DMs can opt for packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes multiple sessions of training divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, learn from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them want to launch their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”