Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“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 face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your peers often in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can select options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes multiple sessions of training spread over a weekend.

“The classes are created so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the following week and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the craft of setting creation.

Industry advancement features four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals.

“Some of them plan to create 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 a program like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Input from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I believe it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”