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

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork divided across two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an extended personal consultation and the possibility to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to review any element is interested in: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and information on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said 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 very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”