🔗 Share this article Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean. Workshop Options and Ticket Packages DMs can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes selection from four classes: Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. All workshops includes eight hours of classwork divided across two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and put into practice in your local game.” Professional Teachers Most classes are taught by two professors. Universe creation is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design. Industry advancement presents four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals. “Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2.5K top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to review any element is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.” Coming Developments Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures. “I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “There are countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean. Workshop Options and Ticket Packages DMs can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes selection from four classes: Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game. Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games. Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments. Career Building: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. All workshops includes eight hours of classwork divided across two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and put into practice in your local game.” Professional Teachers Most classes are taught by two professors. Universe creation is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design. Industry advancement presents four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals. “Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?” Higher Tiers A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The $2.5K top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and coaching. “The purpose is for the instructor to review any element is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.” Coming Developments Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures. “I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”