Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience in the company of other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” noted Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Covers the basics of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of classwork split over two days.

“The courses are created so that you depart having tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”