Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes eight hours of instruction spread over a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“One could practically host an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the teacher to assess any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Responses from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”