Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a organized method to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your peers likely in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of instruction divided across two days.

“The classes are created so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with particular aims.

“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate any element is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”