Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from tiers ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over two days.

“The classes are structured so that you depart having usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1.5K premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to assess any element is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or testing different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”