Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the coordinators began crafting a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“You can watch numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and also want to enhance their abilities,” noted the program's dean.
Available Classes and Pricing Tiers
Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, according to 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 managing a session.
- Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
- Professional Development: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes multiple sessions of training spread over 48 hours.
“The workshops are designed so that you leave with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the following week and apply in your home campaign.”
Expert Instructors
Most classes are taught by two professors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.
Career building presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with particular aims.
“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and write original content,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Premium Packages
A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an full two days just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2.5K platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and coaching.
“The goal is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a situation for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”
Next Steps
Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.
“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”